Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum Moench) Cultivation Under Drought Stress

Buckwheat is cultivated for its nutrient-dense seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different types of N - fertilizers on buckwheat’s crop, under drought stress. A field experiment was set up in the Agricultural University of Athens during 2024. The experimental design was split – plot, with 2 factors (fertilization and irrigation) and 3 replications. The fertilizers used were urea (U) (46 – 0 – 0) and urea with urease inhibitor (UI) (46 – 0 – 0 + urease inhibitors). For the full irrigation condition (M) 400 mm of water were applied, in contrast to the 250 mm in the reduced treatment (X). The traits of the crop were assessed at 30, 60, and 90 days after the sowing. Measurements included plants’ height, dry weight, number of inflorescences, thousand seeds weight, and the yield. According to the results, buckwheat was mainly affected by fertilization. All the agronomic traits were significantly higher on treatments with N – fertilization. Yield increased, with the use of fertilization (U+UI was 26% higher than C). The crop’s tolerance to drought stress and its insignificant effect on the crop’s yield dictate buckwheat’s suitability for climate-susceptible regions that are prone to droughts.