Suitable genotype and optimization of seed rate for late sown wheat

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to identify suitable genotype and seed rate of wheat under late sown conditions during Rabi season of 2017-18 at Research Farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. The experiment was comprised of three wheat genotypes viz. WH 1124, HD 3059 and DBW 90 as main plot treatments and five seed rates viz. 100.0, 112.5, 125.0, 137.5 and 150.0 kg/ha as sub plot treatments. Among genotypes, WH 1124 was found most suitable wheat genotype for late sown condition, produced significantly tallest plant (98.2 cm), highest dry matter accumulation/mrl (153.4 g), higher LAI at 90 DAS (4.54), lowest leaf senescence score at 30 DAA (9.09), higher total tillers/mrl (88.6), highest effective tillers per mrl (85.2), grains per spike (53.5), spikelets per spike (18.3), test weight (38.7) resulted in highest grain (4,843 kg/ha), straw (7,015 kg/ha) and biological yield (11,858 kg/ha). While among different seed rates, seed rate of 150 kg/ha was found optimum to obtain higher yield of late sown wheat produced significantly tallest plant (98.4 cm), highest dry matter accumulation/mrl (153.6 g), higher LAI at 90 DAS (4.50), higher total number of tillers/mrl (91.3), highest effective tillers (86.5), grains per spike (50.5), highest grain yield (4,909 kg/ha), straw yield (6,991 kg/ha) and biological yield (11,900 kg/ha). However,, spike length, number of spikelets per spike was not affected significantly by various seed rates. Among genotypes, maximum days to attain 50 per cent heading (75.6 days) and 50 per cent anthesis (79.1 days) was taken by HD 3059 and maximum duration (109 days) to achieve maturity was observed in DBW 90. Phenological stages of wheat were not affected significantly by different seed rates. Highest gross returns (₹ 30,562/ha), net returns (₹ 52,735/ha) and B: C (1.68) were obtained with WH 1124. Among different seed rates inspite of having highest cost of cultivation (₹ 78,353/ha), highest gross returns (₹ 131,259/ha), net returns (₹ 52,906/ha) and B: C (1.68) was obtained in wheat sown at seed rate of 150.0 kg/ha.