Nitrogen fertilization and precipitation affected Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in dryland the Loess Plateau of South Shanxi, China

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop worldwide, and its yield has improved since the green revolution, which was attributed to chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. An experiment was conducted to set seven nitrogen application levels of N0, N90, N120, N150, N180, N210 and N240 kg ha−1 before sowing. The results showed that grain yield under the nitrogen rate of N210 kg ha−1 was significantly increase the water intake during jointing to anthesis, Soil water storage of dryland wheat in fallow period was higher than water consumption in jointing stage and the leaf area index at anthesis, the tiller percentage rate, the jointing-anthesis, and nitrogen accumulation were closely related to yield and its components. Nitrogen fertiliser rate N150 kg ha−1 significantly increased dry matter buildup from jointing to flowering in dryland wheat compared to N fertiliser rate N210 kg ha−1. The rise of nitrogen application rate, there were no significant variance in nitrogen accumulation of Stem + leaf sheath and cob + glume at maturity, respectively. N fertiliser rate N210 kg ha−1 compared to N180 kg ha−1 significantly reduced grain gliadin content in dryland wheat, respectively. Wheat crops under N210 kg ha−1 could achieve both high NUE and grain yield simultaneously with only moderate N fertilizer in South Shanxi, China. •N input was optimized to match year type based on fallow season precipitation.•Soil water storage in 80–300 cm depth was important for yield formation.•Optimized N input regulated water consumption during wheat development.•Optimizing N input for dryland wheat production was feasible and economical.