Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties to sowing methods and nitrogen scheduling under late-sown conditions

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive winter seasons of 2004–05 and 2005–06 at Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh), India to study the effect of sowing methods and time of nitrogen application on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) varieties. Higher values of effective tillers m-², spikelets spike⁻¹, grains spike⁻¹ and grain weight ear-¹ increased the grain yield by 17.37 and 41.24% and net returns of 3920 and 7850 ha⁻¹ under cross sowing over close sowing and broadcasting, respectively. Wheat variety ‘UP 2425 ’was most adaptable under cross sowing and increased grain yield by 13.08 and 26.37% over ‘HUW 234 ’and ‘HP 1744 ’, respectively. Application of N in 3 splits (50% N as basal + 25% after first irrigation + 25% at ear emergence) significantly improved the yield and net returns. Uptake of N, P and K by grain and straw was significantly higher in the treatment combination of cross sowing, variety ‘UP 2425 ’and application of N in 3 splits.