Growth and yield performance of two wheat cultivars under various levels of nitrogen

The present studies to determine the growth and yield performance of two wheat cultivar viz. Auqab-2000 and MH-97 under various levels of nitrogen and was carried out at the Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The nitrogen levels used were control, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications keeping the cultivars and nitrogen levels in the main and sub-plots respectively. The net plot size was 1.5 x 5m. The crop was sown on November 10, 2000 and harvested on April 28, 2001. All other agronomic practices used for raising crop were applied uniformly throughout the conduct of experiment. Data on different plant growth and characteristics were collected and analyzed statistically. Different growth and yield characteristics, viz., number total tillers unit area-1, fertile tillers unit area- 1, infertile tillers unit area-1, straw yield and biological yield were not affected, significantly by varieties only but germination count unit area-1 was not affected significantly by either varieties, or by nitrogen levels as well as by their interaction. Both varieties differed significantly from one another with respect to plant height (cm), average spike length (cm) number of spikelets spike-1, number of grains spike-1, 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield (kg ha-1) and HI (%). Both cultivars gave statistically different grain yield. MH-97 produced more number of fertile tillers unit area-1 but produced less and lighter grains. On the contrary Auqab-2000 produced less number of fertile tillers but heavier grains. Thus grain yield of Auqab-2000 was greater than MH-97. Various growth and yield parameters like plant height (cm), average spike length, number of spikelets spike-1, number of grains spike-1, 1000-grain weight, total biological yield, and grain yield were statistically different among four nitrogen levels. The N2 (120 kg N ha-1) topped by producing the largest value for these parameters. Except average spike length which was highest in case of N3 (180 kg N ha-1). The maximum grain yield recorded at nitrogen level of N2 (120 kg ha-1) may be attributed to more number of spikelets spike-1, more number of grains spike-1, more 1000-grain eight in this treatment due to adequate supply of nutrients. According to increasing trend in case of yield and yield components, Auqab- 2000 exhibits greater response to nitrogen uptake as compared to MH-97.