Effect of nitrogen scheduling on wheat (Triticum aestivum) productivity and quality under alternate tillage practices

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2004–07 to study the effect of nitrogen scheduling on growth, yield and quality on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) under alternate tillage systems on sandy clay loam soil having low to medium soil fertility. A total of 9 nitrogen scheduling treatments including absolute control, full basal, 2, 3 and 4 splits at different stages were undertaken with recommended dose of nitrogen under zero and rotary tillage. Results showed that both the tillage options gave statistically similar plant height, tillers/m2 and 1000 grain weight in all N schedules. Nitrogen splitting at 2 or 3 or 4 times gave almost similar plant height, tillers/m2 and 1 000 grain weight but greater than the single dose application either at basal or tillering. Grain and straw yield were statistically similar under rotary and zero tillage. The grain and straw yield were higher under 3 splits of nitrogen scheduling either 1/3 basal+1/3 at tillering+1/3 at floral formation or 1/4 basal+1/2 at tillering+1/4 at floral formation and 2 splits 1/3 basal + 2/3 at first node compared to the other treatments. Full N as basal or full at tillering gave significantly less yield as compared to other treatments. Three and four splits of nitrogen were significantly better in total protein yield as compared to two splits or single N application. Agronomic efficiency was also found to be higher under split application treatments (1/3 basal+1/3 at tillering+1/3 at floral formation or 1/4 basal+1/2 at tillering+1/4 at floral formation and 2 splits 1/3 basal+2/3 at first node).