Organic <em>versus</em> mineral fertilization: Assessing of yield and quality of durum wheat in marginal lands

Durum wheat is often cultivated in marginal areas with great management difficulties. Organic fertilization a sustainable agricultural practice that allows preserving the environment, but its limit can be reduction of yield and quality crops, also cereals. The aim research was to evaluate effects organic on Simeto, variety durum wheat, for two years three different sites internal hill Campania Region (San Giorgio la Molara, SGM; Ariano Irpino, AI; Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi, SAL). SGM sandy-clay-loam soil, high fertility, while AI SAL were clay soil. (ORG), based roasted leather, compared mineral (MIN) not fertilized treatment (N0). In SGM, crop growth rate (CGR) leaf area index (LAI) significantly higher than until flowering (about 2- 4-fold more, respectively). MIN ORG boosted CGR N0, LAI, never from N0. two-years value 3.0 t ha–1; it reached 4.2 ha–1, 54.6% more mean SAL, N0 SAL. lower NO AI, where lowest values 1000 kernels weight, hectolitre weight recorded. increased number spikes per square meter: 27.0%, 12.8% over respectively, showed an 11.2% decrease MIN. highest without differences between MIN, ORG. protein gluten percentage 13.5%, 11.7%, respectively), 3 percentage. worst vitreousness recorded (52.3%), six-fold (8.2%), probably due rainfall. NUE first year, when (0.036 vs 0.030 kg–1). Overall, effect nitrogen type results sitespecific; indeed, had same performance site better soil (low content, nitrogen, matter content) climate conditions. Highlights - leather environments years. Effect yield, grain use efficiency site-specific. Yield plants organically less fertile content. Nitrogen content clay.- Grain