Impacts of Balanced Fertilization based on Soil Testing on Yield, Nutrients Uptake and Net Return of Irrigated Wheat Grown in Delta, Egypt

Objectives: To investigate the effect of NPK doses calculated considering soil testing alone and/or in combination with spraying micronutrients on yield, nutrient uptake and net return of wheat plants. Methods: Experiments were carried out in the farmer's field in Kafer El Kadera village, El–Monofia governorate, Egypt, during winter seasons from 2009 to 2013 using wheat (var., Sakha, 93). Soil sample was taken before sowing every season to test physical and chemical properties. Six NPK combinations were tested + control. Fertilizers were applied to the soil at 30 days after sowing. Micronutrients used as a foliar application at 45 days after sowing using cheated micronutrient compound. Leaf samples were analyzed for nutrients. Yield and yield components were determined; Wheat nutrient contents and uptake were calculated in grains. Data were subjected to the analysis of variance of randomized complete block design. Findings: The results indicated that the NPK dose considering soil testing plus spraying of micronutrients, improved most of growth parameters, and enhanced nutrients uptake which induced significant increase in biological yield as compared to other treatments, where the average of increase reached 46%. The analysis of cost and return revealed that balanced fertilization was economically viable in NPK considering soil testing + micronutrients foliar spray. Application/Improvements: It could be concluded that 190, 143, 131 kg ha^-1 N, P₂O₅ and K₂O₅ was the suitable fertilizer doses combined with micronutrients as foliar application to obtain maximum and economic yield of wheat.