[Effect of Biorend [YEA] on the agronomic characteristics and quality of wheat (Triticum sp) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack)]

This thesis was designed to determine the effect of Biorend, an organic yield enhancer, applied under three levels of nitrogen, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha, on nine wheat cultivars, (six bread wheats, Triticum aestivum L., and four durum wheats, Triticum turgidum var. durum) and two triticales, X Triticosecale Wittmack. The experiment was conducted at two locations, Pirque, R.M. and Ovalle, IV Region. Biorend did not induce statistically significant effects on yield components on all genotypes. A positive response to increases in nitrogen fertilizer rates was observed on number of kernels per spike. Number of spikes per area decreased in bread and durum wheats and was not affected in triticale. Nitrogen had a consistent negative effect on kernel weight. Biorend had a positive effect on yield. The largest increase was observed with 2100 cm3 of the product per 100 kg of seed, expressed as 6,8% in bread wheats, 6,1% for durum wheats and 4,8% for triticales at Pirque. At Ovalle, the yield of the bread wheats increased by 14,2%, durum wheats by 1,2% and triticales by 5,5%. Increasing nitrogen rates induced at Pirque a slightly negative response in bread wheats, and moderate increase in durum wheats and triticales. At Ovalle, nitrogen induced positive and significant effects on yield of the 3 species up to the 200 kg/ha level. Quality parameters presented different responses to Biorend Test-weight was not significantly altered at Pirque; At Ovalle 10% of the genotypes presented significant increases. Protein content response also varied. In bread and durum wheats the highest increase ocurred with 1575 cm3 of Biorend and 150 kg/ha of nitrogen; in triticale the best combination was 2100 cm3 of Biorend and 150 kg/ha of nitrogen. Sedimentation value reacted positively in the three species to all rates of Biorend. The best combination in bread and durum wheats was 1575 cm3 of Biorend and 100 kg/ha of nitrogen; in triticale the best sedimentation values were observed with 2100 cm3 of Biorend and 100 kg/ha of nitrogen