Influence of Nitrogen and Plant Growth Regulators on Yield and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season, 2022 at crop research farm, Department of Agronomy at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh India. The objective is to study the effect of nitrogen and plant growth regulators on yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The research consists of three levels of Nitrogen (120, 140 and 160 kg/ha) and three plant growth regulators [CCC – 0.2%, Tebuconazole – 0.1% and CCC – 0.2% + Tebuconazole – 0.1%]. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The soil in experimental field was sandy loam in texture, having alkaline reaction (pH 7.7) with very low organic carbon (0.44%), available higher level N (171.48 kg/ha), P (27.0 kg/ha) and higher level of K (291.2 kg/ha). Application of Nitrogen (160 kg/ha) along with CCC (Chlormequat chloride) - 0.2% and Tebuconazole - 0.1% showed significantly higher yield attributes viz. maximum number of effective tillers/m2 (271), more spike length (15.10 cm), maximum number of grains/spike (60.05), higher test weight (39.75), and yield viz. Higher grain yield (4.66 t/ha) and Straw yield (6.98 t/ha). Economics of treatments viz. maximum Gross returns (140928.42 INR/ha), maximum Net returns (99715.52 INR/ha) and Benefit - cost ratio (2.42) was recorded in treatment - T9 [N3 -160 kg/ha + CCC (0.2%) + Tebuconazole (0.1%)].