Effect of Level and Splitting of Nitrogen on Productivity, Quality and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Late Sown Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Under Integrated Nitrogen Management Approach

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of level and splitting of nitrogen on productivity, quality and nitrogen use efficiency of late sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under integrated nitrogen management approach” was carried out at Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology Meerut, (U.P.) during the Rabi seasons of two consecutive years, 2016-17 and 2017-18. The main object of investigation was to find out the optimum dose and splitting of nitrogen for late sown wheat in irrigated system under integrated approach. The experiment consisting of four nitrogen levels viz. control i.e. 0 kg N ha-1 , 90 kg N ha-1, i.e 120 kg N ha-1 and 150 kg N ha-1 as main plots and four splitting modules M1- 50% N as basal through VC, + 25% at CRI + 25% booting stage through urea, M2-50 % N as basal through FYM + 25% at tillering + 25% at booting stage through urea, M3 -50% N as basal through VC+FYM (1:1), + 25% at tillering + 20% at booting stage and 5 % N as foliar spray at pre flowering stage through urea, M4 -50% N as basal through VC+FYM (1:1), rest based on SPAD reading through urea as sub-plots. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design (SPD) with three replications. The results revealed that the highest growth parameters viz., plant height, number of tillers, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, leaf chlorophyll index value (SPAD value), CGR, RGR, NAR, LAD days taken to 50 % flowering and physiological maturity recorded at different stages of crop growth, yield attributes, yield (grain, straw and biological yield), harvest index, NPK content and uptake by grain, straw and total uptake as well as protein content were obtained with 150 Kg N ha-1 but it remained statistically on par with 120 Kg N ha-1, during both investigation year. Moreover, nitrogen use efficiency indices and B:C ratio were highest with 120 Kg N ha-1 but statistically on par with 90 Kg N ha-1, during both study year. Among different splitting modules M3 resulted significantly higher entire growth parameters, yield attributes, yield (grain and straw yield), harvest index, NPK content and uptake by grain, straw and total uptake as well as protein content and B:C ratio. The M3 produced higher grain yield by 7.9, 14.7 and 24.8 per cent during 2016-17 and 8.1, 14.89 and 25.2 per cent during 2017- 18 over M4, M1 and M2 splitting modules, respectively. But, among different splitting modules M4 significantly increased the nitrogen use efficiency indices, during both investigation year. The highest net return (51135, 57444 Rs ha-1) and B:C (2.41 and 2.49) was obtained with M3, during, 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. Key words: Growth parameters, Yield attributes, Yield, Nutrient uptake, Nitrogen use efficiency indices, Net return and B C ratio.