Influence of tillage and nitrogen fertilization on durum wheat metabolite profiling and yield

Durum wheat represents the most widespread cereal crop in the Mediterranean basin, and Italy is the main Country for its cultivation, processing and marketing in the world. The quality of durum wheat is very important component, and at the same time very variable because it changes according to environmental conditions, crop management, and processing techniques (Flagella, 2006). The use of alternative techniques for durum wheat cultivation is strategic for a sustainable intensification of wheat production, which considers the use of alternative soil tillage, and optimisation of nutrients use efficiency, in particular that of nitrogen (Ali, 2015). However, there is little information in the literature concerning the long term effects of tillage systems and nitrogen application on durum wheat grain quality and methabolic profile in Mediterranean dryland conditions. In this research, the effects of different tillage systems and nitrogen application on the metabolic profile of the kernels’ components of durum wheat in a long-term fava bean rotation were evaluated.