Impact of Foliar Supplementation of Nitrogenous Fertilizer on Yield Attributes and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Foliar application of nitrogenous fertilizers has become a key factor in improving nitrogen use efficiency, boosting crop yields, and reducing farming costs. Liquid fertilizers are essential for precise nutrient management, ensuring crops receive the necessary nutrients throughout their growth cycle, thereby enhancing yield potential. A field experiment was conducted in the Rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24 to examine the impact of soil and foliar nitrogen supplementation on wheat growth. The experiment followed a Split Plot Design with three main plots and five subplots, each repeated thrice. The main plots included various nitrogen doses: M1 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen, RDN), M2 (75% RDN), and M3 (50% RDN). The subplots tested different foliar treatments: S1 (one spray of nano urea at the tillering stage), S2 (two sprays of nano urea at the tillering and jointing stages), S3 (two sprays of 5% urea at the tillering and jointing stages), S4 (one spray of NPK 19:19:19 at the tillering stage), and S5 (no spraying, control). The results showed that the full recommended nitrogen dose significantly improved wheat yield and related characteristics. The 100% RDN increased grain yield (4309 kg/ha), straw yield (6307 kg/ha), biological yield (10616 kg/ha), harvest index (40.58%), number of ear heads per square meter (324.39), ear head length (10.11 cm), number of grains per ear head (47.93), and 1000-grain weight (42.49 g) compared to the 75% and 50% RDN treatments. Moreover, foliar nitrogen application enhanced grain and straw yields. The highest ear head number (320.69), ear head length (9.89 cm), grains per ear head (47.44), 1000-grain weight (42.03 g), grain yield (4229 kg/ha), straw yield (6301 kg/ha), biological yield (10530 kg/ha), and harvest index (40.69%) were observed with two sprays of 5% urea at the tillering and jointing stages. This treatment performed similarly to two sprays of nano urea. Therefore, two spray of urea (5%) at tillering (45 DAS) and jointing (65 DAS) stage of wheat along with RDF would improve the performance of Wheat.