Growth analysis in relation to sowing environments and nitrogen levels in wheat varieties under irrigated conditions of N-W himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir

Field experiments were conducted in rabi 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Agromet Research Farm, SKUAST-J, Chatha, J&K to evaluate the effect of sowing environments and nitrogen levels on growth parametres and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. Three wheat varieties (HD 2967, RSP 561 and WH 1105), 3 sowing environments (25^th October, 14^th November and 4^th December) and 3 nitrogen levels (100, 125 and 150 kg/ha) were laid out in split split plot design. The results revealed that variety WH 1105 observed significantly superior growth parametres viz. dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, crop growth rate, specific leaf area and grain and straw yields as compared to HD 2967 and RSP 561. Variety RSP 561 recorded lowest parameters and yield. Among the sowing environments, the early sown (25^th October) wheat crop envisages significantly higher values of growth parametres and grain yield. Whereas, statistically notable values of the same recorded in higher dose of nitrogen (150 kg/ha), but were at par with 125 kg N/ha. The low mean temperature during early growth period resulted in longer vegetative phase in late sown crop. However, higher values of mean minimum temperature during reproductive phase of normal and late sowing environment reduced the duration of reproductive phase as compared to early sown wheat crop.