Effect of soil and foliar application of boron on wheat productivity in north east alluvial plain of eastern India

Abstract

On-farm trials were conducted during rabi season of 2013 in a randomized block design with six treatments on boron deficits soil at farmer’s field by KVK Purnea (Bihar) to validate, refine and popularize the technology developed at Bihar Agricultural University Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar) for enhancing the productivity of wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.}. Results revealed that all B application i.e. 1.0 & 2.0 Kg/ha B application as basal, 0.2% foliar application of B at 2-5% spike initiation, 1.0 & 2.0 Kg/ha B application as basal + 0.2% foliar application of B at 2-5% spike initiation were increased plant height, spikes/m2, spike length, grains/spike and 1,000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and nutrient uptake over farmer’s practice (No B). 2.0 Kg/ha B application as basal + 0.2% foliar application of B at 2-5% spike initiation produced 15.1% higher grain yield as compared to farmer’s practice (No boron). 2.0 Kg/ha B application as basal + 0.2% foliar application of B at 2-5 spike initiation was most economical. This boron application on wheat crop recorded ₹ 23.51 ×103 /ha net returns along with 1.20% benefit: cost ratio.