Growth and yield of wheat as influenced by evapotranspiration control measures and levels of fertilizer under rainfed condition

An experiment was carried out to study the growth and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as influenced by different levels of evapotranspiration control measures and different levels of fertilizer under rainfed condition. The combined application of straw mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹ + kaolin spray @ 6.0% w/v significantly influenced leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation (DMA), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and yield during both the years of 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. Similar effects on growth parameters and yield were observed due to increased levels of fertilizer upto 120: 60: 60 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O respectively.