Universal Journal of Plant Science 2(6): 108-113, 2014 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/ujps.2014.020603 Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization, Sowing Methods and Sowing Dates on Yield and Yield Attributes of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) Dagash Y.M.I 1,* , Syed Ahmed I.M.M. 2 , Khalil N.A 2 1 College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology. Sudan 2 Faculty of Agriculture. University of Dongla, Sudan *Corresponding Author: dagash@sustech.edu Copyright © 2014 Horizon Research Publishing All rights reserved. Abstract A field experiments were conducted at the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology at Shambat, Khartoum, during winter season in 07/2008 and 08/2009, to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilization, sowing methods and sowing dates on yield and yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), local variety (Wadi Elneel). Nitrogen fertilizer was applied in the form of urea at the rate of 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N/ha. Four sowing methods viz. planting on flat, mastaba, ridge and ridge with line were tested. Three sowing dates namely; early November, mid November and early December were chosen and applied. The results of the study showed that nitrogen application displayed significant effect on plant height, total dry matter, 1000-seed weight and grain yield in both seasons but nitrogen fertilizer had no significant effect on harvest index for season 08/2009. Generally , planting on ridge and ridge with line achieved higher 1000-seed weight and grain yield for both seasons. Harvest index was superior for season 07/2008, whereas plant height and total dry matter had higher values for season 08/2009. Generally, crop sown at mid November produced higher grain yield, total dry matter and tallest plant for season 07/2008. Also higher plant height and harvest index were recorded for season 08/2009. The early sown (early November) obtained greater 1000-seed weight and harvest index for season 07/2008 and higher amount of 1000-seed weight and total dry matter for season 08/2009. The late sown (early December) produced higher grain yield for season 08/2009. It can be concluded neglecting the differences between the two seasons for yield and their components that Wheat can be grown at early and mid November on ridge and ridge with line with 120 kgN/ha fertilizer. Keywords Fertilization, Sowing methods, Sowing date, Yield 1. Introduction Wheat, (Triticum aestivum L) is a cereal crop originally from the Levant region of the near East and Ethiopian High lands, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2010 world production of wheat was 651 million tons, making it the third most produced cereal after maize (844 million tons) and rice (672 million tons). In 2009 world production of wheat was 682 million tons making it the second most produced cereal after maize (817 million tons) and with rice as close third (679 million tons) (FAO,2012). Sudan has known wheat production since time immemorial. Production, till the Second World War was confined to a total area of 12 thousand hectares along the narrow stretch of the rich Nile-alluvial soils north of Khartoum. Yield was high enough to cover the needs of the northern region and the major cities and towns across the country (Mohamed,2000). The rest of the population was dependent on sorghum in central and eastern Sudan and on cassava in southern Sudan. However, increased urbanization and associated changes in food traditions have increased the demand for wheat from less than 100 thousand tons per annum to over one million tons. The gap between production and consumption was used to be bridged through international aids, loans and by direct purchase (Ibrahim et al 2007 ) However, due to social, economic, political changes and the current international food crises together with soaring wheat prices bridging the food gap through international co-operation and/or direct purchase is rather difficult and makes interventions, leading to increased local production to attain self-sufficiency an unequivocal necessity Traditionally, the crop is produced in the River Nile and the Northern states, where temperature is moderately suitable ( Mahgoub and Ibrahim,2012 ) However, unavailability of land, the high cost of irrigation and competition with high value crops such as vegetables, fruit trees and beans limited the area allocated to wheat. Population pressure and the attendant increase in the demand for food together with availability of land, established irrigation systems, infrastructure and absence of major pests and diseases foster introduction of the crop into the harsh