Surface seeding of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as affected by seed rate and nitrogen level

Abstract

A field experiment was condeucted during the winter season of 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 at Varanasi, to investigate the effect of nitrogen levels (60, 90 and 120 kg/ha) and seed rates (125, 150 and 175 kg/ha) on performance of surface-seeded 'HUW 234' wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). The higher levels of nitrogen (120 kg/ha) although registered more tillers/m, leaf-area index, dry-matter accumulation, chlorophyll content, 1 000-seed weight, grain yield (3.440 and 2.361 tonnes/ha) and straw yield (3.870 and 2. 890 tonnes/ha), remained at par with 90 kg N/ha during both the years (except leaf-area index in second year). Nitrogen 90 kg/ha recorded 33.33 and 35.15% more grain yield than 60 kg N/ha during first and second year respectively. Similarly, in all these parameters 150 kg seed/ha exhibited best results which remained at par with 175 kg/ha. Root length reduced with the increase in dose of nitrogen, while root volume and dry weight were enhanced. The seed rate of 175 kg/ha showed significantly better root length and volume during both the years.