Impact of different levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L) in the mid hill regions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2022 at Research Farm of School of Agriculture, Abhilashi University, Mandi (H.P.). This study aimed to assess the impact of different levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) in the mid hill regions of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments were comprised of different nitrogen levels viz,- T1= Absolute control, T2=50 kg N+ RDF- P&K, T3=75 kg N+ RDF- P&K, T4=100 kg N + RDF- P&K, T5= 120 kg N+ RDF- P&K T6=150 kg N+ RDF- P&K, T7=175 kg N+ RDF- P&K. The results of experiment showed the significant effects of different nitrogen levels application on growth and yield of wheat crop. Among the different nitrogen levels, treatment T7 (175 kg N+ RDF- P&K) recorded the highest value of all growth parameters [plant height (cm), number of tillers (m-2) and dry matter accumulation (g m-2)], yield attributes [No. of effective tillers (m-2), No. of spikes (m-2), spike length (cm), No. of grains spike-1] and yields [grain yield, straw yield and biological yield] of wheat crop, as compared to other treatments, while, it was statistically at par with treatment T6 (150 kg N+ RDF- P&K). Whereas, test weight (g) and harvest index (%) of the wheat crop were found non-significant. However, the minimum values of all different parameters were recorded under treatment T1 (Absolute control) during the field experiment. This study showed that the different levels of the nitrogen significantly affected the growth parameters, yield attributes and yields of the wheat crop in the mid hill regions of the Himachal Pradesh.