Growth, yield and yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as affected by seaweed extract under restricted irrigation condition of Bhal region, Gujarat

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research station, Anand Agricultural University, Dhandhuka, Bhal region of Gujarat under conserved soil moisture condition with restricted irrigation in the Rabi season of 2021-22 with the objective of to maximize wheat productivity by the seed treatment and foliar application of seaweed extract under restricted irrigation condition. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (Factorial) with three replication with twelve treatments (Two levels of seed treatment and six levels of seaweed extract foliar application) viz; (A) S1 = without seed treatment with seaweed extract and S2 = Seed treatment with seaweed extract @ 3 ml/kg seed. (B) F1= Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 2 ml/litre water at tillering stage, F2 = Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 4 ml/litre water at tillering stage, F3 = Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 2 ml/litre water at heading stage, F4 = Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 4 ml/litre water at heading stage, F5 = Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 2 ml/litre water at tillering & heading stage and F6 = Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 4 ml/litre water at tillering & heading stage. The result showed that seed treatment with seaweed extract @ 3 ml/kg (S2 Treatment) seed recorded significantly higher values of growth parameters, yield attributes and yield i.e., plant height at harvest (85.63 cm), Ear length (7.84 cm), No of grain ear (33.62), test weight (43.72 g) and grain yield (3109 kg ha). Whereas plant stand at harvest, ear head and maturity days found non-significant but statically higher data was recorded with same treatment (S2 Treatment). Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 4 ml/litre water at tillering & heading stage (F6 Treatment) had significantly higher superior values of plant height at harvest (81.45cm), no of ear head (301 sq m) physiological maturities days (116) ear length (8.05 cm), no of grain ear (34.48), test weight (44.67 g), biological yield (7974 kg ha) and grain yield (3333 kg ha) over rest of the treatment but statically found at par with treatment F5 (Foliar application of seaweed extract (CP*) @ 2 ml/litre water at tillering & heading stage). Rest of the treatment i.e., F1, F2, F3, and F4 found at par with each other.