Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars to levels of fertilizers under limited irrigation

A field experiment was conducted with 3 varieties (‘Sonalika’, ‘OW 6’ and ‘UP 262’ of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) and 2 levels of irrigations [2 irrigations (crown-root initiation + flowering stage), 3 irrigations, crown-root initiation + jointing + flowering stage)] and 3 levels of fertilizers (80, 40 and 20 kg; (30, 30, 15 kg and 40, 20, 10 kg N, P and K/ha). With 3 irrigations and 80, 40 and 20 kg N, P and K/ha ‘OW 6’ wheat gave the highest yield of 27.63 q/ha, followed by ‘UP 262’ (25.86 q/ha). With 2 irrigations ‘OW 6’ recorded the highest yield with 80, 40 and 20 kg N, P and K/ha (23.19 q/ha). The benefit: cost ratio was the highest (1.98) for ‘OW 6’ with 3 irrigations and 80, 40 and 20 kg N, P and K/ha. But with 2 irrigations, maximum net returns/rupee invested (Rs 1.78) were realized from ‘OW 6’ with 60, 30 and 15 kg N, P and K/ha.