Suitable varieties and agro-chemicals for yield optimization of wheat in arid Rajasthan

Twenty eight wheat varieties were evaluated for four years (2009–10 to 2012–12) under irrigated situation at Agricultural Research Station, Keshwana, Jalore (Rajasthan). The seed yield of different varieties ranged between 44.49 q/ha to 64.51 q/ha with the average of 53.20 q/ha and maximum was found in Raj-4079 followed by Raj-4083, KRL 1–4, Raj-4037, Raj-4161, Raj-4188, Raj-3765, Raj-3077, DBW-50, KRL-213, Lok-1 and WH-1021 with 60.98, 58.60, 57.53, 57.13, 56.68, 55.60, 54.60, 54.03 and 53.92 q/ha, respectively. In another experiment, seed soaking in thiourea 500 ppm or ascorbic acid 100 ppm for 6–8 hrs; and foliar spray of thioglycolic acid 100 ppm or ascorbic acid 100 ppm or thiourea 500 ppm at grain filling stage enhanced seed yield of wheat. Participatory action research under salinity conditions at farmer's fields indicate that seed soaking in 3% Na₂SO₄ for 6–8 hrs improved seed germination and crop establishment; and foliar spray of 0.2% K₂SO₄ along with thiourea 500 ppm or ascorbic acid 100 ppm at tillering and flowering stages provided better growth and production environment and ultimately enhanced seed yield of wheat.