Effect of fertilizer application on productivity and quality of wheat under limited irrigation
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Date
2021-09
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
Investigation entitled “Effect of fertilizer application on productivity and quality of wheat under limited irrigation” was conducted during Rabi 2019-20 at Soil Research Farm, Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The field experiment was carried out in Split Plot Design with twelve treatment combinations viz., three irrigation levels in the main plot viz., one (CRI), two (CRI and flowering stage) and three irrigations (CRI, late jointing and dough stage) and four fertilizer levels in the subplots (control, 75, 100, 125 per cent RDF) replicated thrice. The results revealed that at 60, 90, 120 DAS and at maturity, application of three irrigation produced the tallest plants (47.9, 93.3, 101.1 and 110.8 cm, respectively), highest number of tillers (127.2, 181.63, 109.36 and 101.69, respectively), dry matter accumulation (51.83, 140.55, 216.28 and 234.40 kg ha-1, respectively). Also, highest LAI (2.78, 4.41 and 3.23) was recorded significantly at 60, 90 DAS and at maturity, respectively with three irrigations followed by two and one irrigation. The highest CGR (6.81, 13.14, 10.22, 2.68 g m-2 day-1) was obtained with three irrigations at 30-60, 60-90, 90-120, 120 DAS up to maturity, respectively. Application of three irrigations resulted highest number of effective tillers per meter row length (91.18), number of grains per spike (46.32), longest spike (10.7 cm), test weight (41.48 g), grain yield (4727 kg ha-1), straw yield (6477 kg ha-1), biological yield (11204 kg ha-1), harvest index (42), protein content (11.22%), cost of cultivation (52975 Rs. ha-1), gross returns (115676 Rs. ha-1), net return (62701 Rs. ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.18). After wheat harvest, soil pH and EC ranged from 7.77 to 7.83 and 0.66 to 0.77 dS m-1, respectively. The highest available N, P and K content in soil (145.3, 16.6 and 306 kg ha-1, respectively) was recorded on application of one irrigation. Incorporation of 125 per cent RDF produced the tallest plants (46.8, 92.6, 102, 112.9 cm), highest number of tillers (132.8, 182.84, 110.27 and 103.93), dry matter accumulation (62.29, 152.21, 237.26 and 255.75 kg ha-1), at 60, 90, 120 DAS and at maturity, respectively. Whereas, 125 per cent RDF recorded highest LAI (2.93, 4.66 and 3.37, respectively) at 60, 90 DAS and at maturity. Plots treated with 125% RDF recorded the highest CGR of 7.62, 13.32, 12.60 and 2.74 g m-2 day-1 during the intervals of 30-60, 60-90, 90-120 days up to maturity, respectively. Application of 125 per cent RDF recorded the highest number of effective tillers per meter row length (91.98), number of grains per spike (49.64), spike length (10.98 cm), test weight (42.74 g), grain yield (4828 kg ha-1), straw yield (6432 kg ha-1), biological yield (11263 kg ha-1), harvest index (42.6) and protein content (11.88%), available N, P and K (150.1, 16.7 and 320 kg ha-1, respectively), cost of cultivation (60965 Rs. ha-1), gross returns (117047 Rs. ha-1), net return (56082 Rs. ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.92) after wheat harvest. From the above study, it may be concluded that the application of 125 per cent RDF and three irrigation levels increased yield, nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency and also, improved quality of wheat and soil health. This field experiment can be performed on long term basis to evaluate the precise effect of irrigation at critical stages on quality and productivity of wheat in semi-arid areas.