Effect of nitrogen management on yield attributes and nitrogen-use efficiency of late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in western Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season 2016–17 at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the nitrogen management for late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. The experimental field condition was well-drained, sandy loam in texture, alkaline in reaction (pH 7.80), low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium with an electrical conductivity of 0.25dS/m. Eleven treatments comprising control, recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) for a time as well as late-sown wheat with different application schedules were tested in randomized block design (RBD) with 3 replications. Yield-attributing characters were significantly better in the treatments where the major portion of N was applied during the early growth period. The highest grain yield was recorded in treatment (T₈) where 50% of recommended N in accordance to timely sown wheat was applied at sowing. This treatment was found statistically similar to T₄T₆ and T₁₀ treatment Growth and yield-attributing characters were comparatively higher in treatment T₈. Nutrient-use efficiency expressed in terms of agronomic efficiency, apparent nitrogen-recovery efficiency and physiological efficiency were also worked out.