Performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties under different sowing dates and nitrogen levels in the submontane region of Punjab

The effect of sowing time and nitrogen application on some newly developed varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori. & Paol). was studied at Gurdaspur, on sandy-loam soil conditions of sub-montane region of Punjab during winters of 1997–98 to 1999–2000. Sowing time significantly influenced the growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yields in all the years. Delay in sowing from 15 November to 15 December decreased the wheat grain yield by 32.6 and 27.4% in 1997–98 and 1998–99, respectively, with mean reduction of 45 kg grain/ha/day. Nitrogen application up to 150 kg/ha improved various yield attributes and increased the grain yield in both years, with mean increase of 7.4% over 120 and 13.9% over 90 kg N/ha. Varieties also differed significantly. The maximum grain yield was registered in ‘PBW 343’, whereas ‘HD 2329’ gave the minimum grain yield. ‘PBW 343’ and ‘HD 2687’ gave comparable yields when sown on 15 November; whereas in case of 15 December sowing, ‘PBW 343’ gave significantly higher grain yield than all other varieties. ‘PBW 343’ also gave significantly higher yield than ‘WH 542’ and ‘HD 2329’ at 150 kg N/ha and all varieties at lower levels of nitrogen.