Effect of different fertility levels and sowing methods on growth, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The present experiment titled “Effect of different fertility levels and sowing methods on growth, yield and economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)” was conducted during rabi season of 2023-24 at Chamelti Agriculture Farm, MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Results indicated that among the sowing methods, growth parameters viz., plant height (81.34 cm) and chlorophyll content (57.97), yield attributes viz, number of grains spike-1 (47.68) were recorded significantly higher under (M2) Line sowing methods which was statistically at par with (M3) Criss-cross method. While, number of tillers (350.01 m-2), dry matter accumulation (561.75 g m-2), crop growth rate (2.23 g m-2 day-1) and yield attributes viz, number of effective tillers (241.28 m-2) were recorded with (M3) Criss-cross method which was statistically at par with (M2) Line sowing method. Significantly higher grain yield (2919 kg ha-1), straw yield (6438 kg ha-1) and biological yield (9357 kg ha-1) were recorded under (M3) Criss-cross method. Among the fertility levels, significantly higher growth parameters viz, plant height (81.98 cm), chlorophyll content (58.30), number of tillers (279.48 m-2), dry matter accumulation (593.21 g m-2), crop growth rate (1.90 g m-2 day-1), yield attributes viz, number of grains spike-1 (46.28), number of effective tillers (240.76 m-2) and grain yield (3066 kg ha-1), straw yield (7079 kg ha-1) and biological yield (10145 kg ha-1) were recorded under application of (N2) 125% RDF which was statistically at par with application of (N3) 100% RDF. Economically, (M3) Criss-cross sowing recorded the significantly higher gross returns (₹ 83288 ha-1), net returns (₹ 48559 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.38). While, significantly higher gross returns (₹ 88153 ha-1) and net returns (₹ 47346 ha-1) were recorded with application of (N2) 125% RDF. However, highest B:C ratio (1.25) was recorded with application of (N3) 100% RDF in Himachal Pradesh.