The research was carried out in Foggia (Southern Italy) in 1991 and 1992 with the aim of determining the effects of three sowing times (the first in the second half of November and the following ones every fifteen days) and three nitrogen fertilizing treatments (0, 60 and 120 kg N.ha-1) on the main quantitative and qualitative parameters in emmer (cv. Luna). Results were greatly influenced by seasonal weather, mostly by rainfall, which was higher and more regular in the first year; as a consequence, grain yields ranged between 3.3 t.ha-1 in 1991 and 1.2 t.ha-1 in 1992. As to planting dates, the best yield results were obtained in most cases with the earliest one. The effects of nitrogen, instead, were less evident; actually, the straw production only increased with the highest N dose. With reference to the grain quality, the increase in N doses would seem to produce a positive effect on protein and a reduction of fibre (NDF) content, while the increase in yield seems to get worse qualitative parameters.