Efficiency of Urea Application with Pre-sowing Irrigation in Wheat on Sandy Loam and Loamy Sand Soils

Five methods of urea application to wheat were compared at two nitrogen levels under timely and late first irrigation on Samana sandy loam (Udic Ustochrept) and Fatehpur loamy sand (Typic Ustipsamment) soils. Broadcasting of half urea before presowing irrigation (PSI) was found to be the best method of urea application. Yield with PSI method at 80 kg N ha⁻¹ (39.4 q ha⁻¹) was comparable with mean yield obtained with other methodsat 120 kgN ha⁻¹ (40.4 q ha⁻¹). Increases in yield with PSI method as compared with other methods were 3.1 and 1.8 q ha⁻¹ at 80 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ respectively and this yield increase under timely and late first irrigation was 1.2 and 3.1q ha⁻¹ respectively. Mean increase in yield with PSI method was around 4.0 and 1.5q ha⁻¹ on sandy loam and loamy sand soils, respectively.