Role of some cultural practices in improving nitrogen use efficiency and grain quality of some wheat varieties under rainfed conditions

A field trail was conducted at Jeleen Research Station, Dara,a governorate, Syria, during two consecutive growing seasons (2010/ 2011-2011/ 2012), in order to evaluate the role of some cultural practices in improving nitrogen use efficiency and grains quality characteristics of four wheat varieties (Acsad1105, Acsad1229, Acsad885 and Acsad901). The experiment was laid according to randomized complete block design-split, with three replicates. Leaf area index, grain starch content and grain yield were significantly higher during the first growing season, in the wheat variety (Acsad901), for the first planting date, and nitrogen rate (200 Kg N. ha1-), when nitrogen fertilizer was added in two splits (1.25, 68.60 %, 1051 g. m-2).