IRRIGATION SCHEDULING OF WHEAT AT DIFFERENT NITROGEN LEVELS IN SEMI-ARID REGION

Abstract

Appropriate nitrogen and optimum irrigation scheduling ensure economic yield. To access the behavior of development, growth and yield of wheat in response to nitrogen rates (80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1) and irrigation scheduling, an experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad using Randomized Complete Block Design in split plot arrangement. It was observed that accumulated thermal time and photo-thermal time derive the crop phenology. Calendar time of growth stages may vary depending upon the prevailing climatic conditions particularly minimum and maximum temperatures. Application of 120 kg ha-1 nitrogen (F2) resulted in maximum LAI (4.21 & 4.73), mean crop growth rate (9.38 & 9.14 g m-2 d -1 ), and grain yield (3100 & 3265 kg ha-1 ). Full irrigation performed better in terms of maximum LAI (4.97 & 5.46), mean CGR (10.89 & 12.66 g m-2 d -1 ) and grain yield (3735 & 4603 kg ha-1 ). Application of 120 kg Nitrogen ha-1 and full irrigation were found to be the best management practices for better growth and to attain maximum grain yield.