Yield maximization in wheat through nutrient management and plant growth regulators

A field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of CSKHPKV, Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan during rabi season of 2016-2017, 2017-18 to study the effect of application of growth regulators on wheat crop raised under different fertility levels with objective of achieving yield maximization. The experiment consisted of four fertilizer levels (control; 100% recommended dose of fertilizer, 120:60:30; 150% recommended dose of fertilizer and 150% recommended dose of fertilizer + 15 t FYM/ha) in main plot and four plant growth regulator treatments (two sprays each of water, chlormequat chloride 0.2%, tebuconazole 0.1% and chlormequat chloride 0.2% + tebuconazole 0.1%) in subplot, laid out in split plot design with three replications. The soil of the experimental field was silty clay loam in texture, acidic in reaction, medium in available nitrogen and potassium and high in available phosphorus. Application of 150% recommended dose of fertilizer along with 15t FYM/ha resulted in significantly higher values for all the yield attributes viz., stem diameter, internodal length and 1000-grain weight while significantly lowest values of all these attributes were recorded in control in which no fertilizer or manure was added. Highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by wheat was also recorded with the integrated use of 150% recommended dose of fertilizer + 15 t FYM/ha. Application of both the growth regulators significantly reduced the plant height and internode length while stem diameter was significantly increased. Application of tebuconazole alone resulted in significantly higher wheat yield while the effect of chlormequat chloride application was not significant. Thus, the farmers can go in for higher application of 150% of recommended dose of fertilizer along with FYM application @ 15 t/ha as well as use tebuconazole 0.1% for obtaining higher yield of wheat.