Productivity, agronomic efficiency and quality of bread wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)] cultivars in relation to nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) occupies a conspicuous place in plant metabolism because adequate supply of this nutrient associated with high photosynthetic activity, vigorous vegetative growth and a dark green color among cereal crops. In view of this, the field experiments were conducted during 2011–12 and 2012–13 to evaluate the effect of nitrogen with different wheat cultivars on growth and productivity. The soil was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen. The leaf area index and photo synthetically active radiation interception was higher in variety PBW 621. The 1000-grain weight and grains per ear were significantly higher in variety PBW 550 than other varieties. The variety DBW 17 had significantly higher tiller density. The variety PBW 550 gave significantly higher grain yield but statistically on par with variety PBW 621. The yield attributes, grain yield and quality parameters were highest under 150 kg N/ha. With increase in nitrogen level upto 120 kg N/ha, there was significantly increase in grain yield which was statistically on par with 150 kg N/ha. Agronomic use efficiency was significantly similar at 120 and 150 kg N/ha than other nitrogen levels. Therefore, there is need to save nitrogen fertilizers on soils low in nitrogen availability for wheat cultivars.

Wheat variety PBW 550 gave the highest grain yield which was almost similar with variety PBW 621

Nitrogen levels of 120 kg/ha increased the grain yield significantly than other levels but similar to 150 kg N/ha.