title: Ammonium as sole N source improves grain quality in wheat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The skilful handling of N fertilizer, including N source type and its timing, is necessary to obtain maximum profitability in wheat crops in terms of production and quality. Studies on grain yield and quality with ammonium as sole N source have not yet been conducted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of N source management (nitrate vs. ammonium), and splitting it into two or three amendments during the wheat life cycle, on grain yield and quality under irrigated conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This experiment demonstrates that Cezanne wheat plants growing with ammonium as exclusive N source are able to achieve the same yield as plants growing with nitrate and that individual wheat plants grown in irrigated pots can efficiently use late N applied in GS37. Ammonium nutrition increased both types of grain reserve proteins (gliadins and glutenins) and also increased the ratio gli/glu with respect to nitrate nutrition. The splitting of the N rate enhanced the ammonium effect on grain protein composition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of ammonium N source, especially when split into three amendments, has an analogous effect on grain protein content and composition to applications at a higher N rate, leading to higher N use efficiency.
authors: Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, UPV/EHU, Apdo 644, E-48080, Bilbao, Spain.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Fuertes-Mendizábal
authors: Jon
authors: J
authors: González-Torralba
authors: Luis M
authors: LM
authors: Arregui
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: González-Murua
authors: M Begoña
authors: MB
authors: González-Moro
authors: José M
authors: JM
authors: Estavillo
mesh_terms: D057914:Agricultural Irrigation; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D001939:Bread / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005308:Fertilizers; D005433:Flour / Q000032:analysis; D063427:Food Quality; D005903:Gliadin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005983:Glutens / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005308:Fertilizers; D009566:Nitrates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D005983:Glutens; D005903:Gliadin; C037302:glutenin; C023844:potassium nitrate; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate