Effect of fertility levels and antitranspirants on productivity and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur), Rajasthan, during 2 con- secutive winter (rabi) seasons 201314 and 201415, to study productivity and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as affected by fertility and antitranpirants. The results revealed that variety Raj 3077 showed signifi- cantly higher values of growth parameter, viz. plant height, dry-matter accumulation, crop-growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (RGR), yield-attributing characters (number of effective tillers and number of grains/spike) and grain yield (4.12 t/ha) and straw yield (5.45 t/ha) than Raj 3765. The highest net returns of 66,220/ha with ben- efit: cost (B:C) ratio of 3.42 was obtained with Raj 3765 wheat. Application of 100% recommended dose of fertil- izer (RDF) resulted in significantly higher growth parameter (plant height, dry-matter accumulation, CGR and RGR), yield-attributing characters (number of effective tillers, number of grains/spike, ear length and 1,000-grain weight) and grain yield (4.88 t/ha) and straw yield (6.41 t/ha). The highest net returns of 81,290/ha with benefit: cost ratio of 3.84 were obtained application of 100% RDF. The foliar application of cycocel @ 1,000 ppm resulted in significantly higher growth parameter like dry-matter accumulation, CGR and RGR, yield-attributing characters like number of effective tillers, number of grains/spike and 1,000-seed weight and grain yield (4.04 t/ha) and straw yield (5.32 t/ha) in Raj 3765. However, plant height was significantly decreased owing to the antitranspirants. The application of cycocel @ 1,000 ppm gave the highest net returns of 64,960/ha with benefit: cost ratio of 3.43.