Growth, Yield, and Economic Performance of Wheat Variety Phule Samadhan (NIAW 1994) under Late-Sown Irrigated Conditions

Abstract

Late sowing often exposes wheat to terminal tress, reducing productivity in semi arid regions of Maharashtra. To identify a suitable variety for such conditions, on farm trials were conducted during the rabi seasons of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 across 60 farmers fields in Solapur district to evaluate the performance of Phule Samadhan (NIAW1994) under late sown conditions. These aspects of on-farm trial technology are one of the most powerful tools for assessment and transfer of technology. The present on-farm trials (OFTs) were conducted on farmers' fields during the rabi season of 2020 and 2021 in Solapur district of Maharashtra to evaluate the field performance of wheat variety Phule Samadhan (NIAW 1994) under late sown irrigated conditions and to compare it with farmers’ existing varieties. The 30 on-farm trials were laid out on farmers’ fields across 6 villages using a randomized paired plot design. Growth parameters, grain and straw yield, and economic returns were recorded. The results indicated that Phule Samadhan (NIAW 1994) recorded mean grain yield of 30.53 q ha⁻¹, which was (28.30 %) higher than the farmers’ check under late sowing. Adoption of improved varieties and a package of practices under on-farm trials in wheat cultivation resulted in higher net returns of ₹36683 ha⁻¹ and a benefit–cost ratio of 2.09. The study confirmed the Phule Samadhan is suitable for late-sown irrigated conditions in semi-arid regions of Maharashtra.