Effect of Tillage and Precision Nitrogen Management Practices on N Uptake and Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) in Wheat in Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

At the Crop Research Center of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, (U.P.), during the rabi seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23, an investigation titled " Effect of tillage and precision nitrogen management practices on N uptake and Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) in wheat in western UP " was conducted. The experiment was carried out using a split plot design with three replications. The treatments included four precise nitrogen treatments (N1-Control, N2-State recommendations, N3- Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) based nitrogen Application, and N4- Soil Plant Anaylsis Development (SPAD) meter based treatments) as sub plot treatments, and three conservation tillage treatments (C1- Conventional tillage, C2- Reduced tillage, and C3- Furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB)} as main plots. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam having low organic matter (0.43%), low in available nitrogen, low in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The maximum N uptake and NUE was recorded under furrow irrigated raised beds plots during both the years. The maximum total N uptake and NUE was recorded under SPAD and was at par with LCC treatments.