Maximizing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity through foliar nutrition at variable nutrient levels and timings of nitrogen application

Foliar nutrition, nutrient levels and timings of nitrogen application on wheat productivity

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2017-18  and 2018-19 at Raipur, Chhattisgarh to evaluate the foliar NPK feeding and nutrient management practices on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity. Twelve treatment combinations of three nutrient levels, four timings of N application and two foliar sprays were tested in RBD with three replications. The soil of experimental field was Vertisol, neutral (pH 7.04) in reaction with medium in fertility having 0.45 % soil organic carbon, low N (182 kg/ha), medium P (16.23 kg/ha) and high K (312 kg/ha) content. Results revealed that number of effective tillers, dry matter accumulation and yield attributing characters viz. length of ear(cm), number of grains ear, ear weight (g), grain yield (3.99 and 4.07 t/ha), and harvest index, highest net return (₹ 50350 and ₹ 56694/ha), B:C ratio (2.72 and 2.94) were significantly highest under the treatments 150% RDF (25% of N as basal + 25% at CRI + 25% tillering stage + 25% late jointing stage) +  foliar spray of NPK (19:19:19) @ 5g/l of water at 5 days after (DA) tillering and 5 DA late jointing  stage as compared to others but it was found at par with same fertilizer dose with or without one foliar spray at 5 days after late jointing stage during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Plots received 150% of recommended doses of fertilizers and two foliar sprays adjunct with 4 splits of N have accounted for higher available NPK status in the soil, elevated NPK built-up and nutrient use efficiency. Maximum apparent gain in soil N & K and minimum apparent loss of soil P was found when suboptimal dose of NPK (50% of recommended) was applied with foliar spray of NPK (19:19:19) @ 5g/l of water at 5 DA tillering and 5 DA late jointing stage.