Effect of Soil Test Response Basis Nitrogen Level and Its Time of Application on Yield and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2023-24 at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar. The study was conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with four levels of nitrogen viz.,40, 80, 120, and 160 kg/ha, and four time of application (100% at the time of sowing (basal), ½ basal + ½ after first irrigation, ½ basal +1/4 after first irrigation +1/4 after second irrigation, 1/3 basal + 1/3 after first irrigation + 1/3 after second irrigation.). The soil of experimental soil (0-15 cm) was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon (0.46%) and available nitrogen (194 kg ha-1), medium in available phosphorus (18.02 kg ha-1) and available potassium (248 kg ha-1). The experimental results revealed that nitrogen application significantly influence plant growth, yield attributes, and yield as well as economic of wheat cultivation. The significantly higher plant height, No. of leaves plant-1 at 90 DAS and maximum No. of tillers per running meter and plant dry weight at 90 DAS as well as maximum Leaf Area Index at 90 DAS of wheat were recorded with treatment combination of N4T3 (160 kg Nitrogen ha-1 ½ basal +1/4 after first irrigation +1/4 after second irrigation). The significantly higher effective tillers, grains spike-1 and test weight (g) were recorded with treatment combination of N4T3 (160 kg Nitrogen ha-1 ½ basal +1/4 after first irrigation +1/4 after second irrigation). Similarly, the significantly higher number of effective tillers per m2, grain, straw and biological yield were recorded with treatment combination of N4T3 (160 kg Nitrogen ha-1 ½ basal +1/4 after first irrigation +1/4 after second irrigation). Economic analysis showed that the treatment with 160 kg Nitrogen ha-1 ½ basal +1/4 after first irrigation +1/4 after second irrigation, provided the highest net returns and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio, making it the most profitable treatment. In conclusion, the combined application of N4T3 (160 kg Nitrogen ha-1 ½ basal +1/4 after first irrigation +1/4 after second irrigation) provide to be the most effective in enhancing growth, yield, and profitability in wheat cultivation.