Effect of nitrogen schedule and management on yield of late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum) in rice-wheat system

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2016–17 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen level and its schedule on late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. The soil of the experimental field was well-drained, sandy loam, alkaline (pH 7.80), low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium with an electrical conductivity 0.25 d/Sm. Eleven treatments comprising control, recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) for timely as well as late-sown wheat (variety ‘PBW 226’) with different application schedule were tested in randomized block design with 3 replications. Growth parameters were significantly better in the treatments where major portion of N was applied during early growth period. The highest grain yield and harvest index were recorded in T₈ treatment where 60% of recommended N in accordance to timely sown wheat was applied at sowing. This treatment was found statistically similar to T₄, [RDN for timely sown wheat 150 kg N in 2 split-50% N basal and 50% at crown-root initiation (CRI)], T₆ (RDN for timely sown wheat 150 kg N in 3 splits-60% N basal, 30% at CRI and 10% at tillering) and T₁₀ (RDN for timely sown wheat 150 kg N in 3 splits-60% N basal, 34% at CRI and 2% urea spray at tillering). Growth and yield-attributing characters were comparatively higher in T₈ treatment. Available nutrients in soil after harvesting of wheat were found variable under different treatments.