Yield, nutrient uptake and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under nitrogen and sulphur nutrition in alluvial soil

Abstract

A 2-year field experiment was conducted at Panwari village of Agra district (U.P.) during rabi season of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to study the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) to different levels of nitrogen and sulphur. Four levels each of nitrogen (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) and sulphur (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1) were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that the application of 120 kg N ha-1 recorded the significantly highest plant height (92.1 cm) and test weight (40.9 g). The highest yields of grain (5.57t ha -1 ) and straw (6.86t ha-1) were recorded with 120 kg N ha-1 and the grain and straw yield increments were to the extent of 44.6 and 42.6%, respectively. The sulphur level of 30 kg ha-1 recorded the highest grain (5.13t ha-1) and straw (6.36t ha-1) yield being statistically at par with 20 kg S ha-1 but significantly higher than 10 kg S ha-1. The results indicated the superiority of combined use of N and S in improving the productivity of wheat to compared to application of N alone. The content and yield of protein were also increased with N application and maximum values were recorded with 120 kg N ha-1. There was a significant increase in protein content and yield of wheat grain and maximum values were recorded with 30 kg S ha-1. A phenomenal increase in N, P and S uptake by wheat grain and straw was recorded due to increasing levels of N and S up to 120 kg and 30 kg ha-1, respectively. The available N and S reduced in the control plot in post harvest soil over their initial values. The higher values of available N (222.5 kg ha-1) and S (19.4 kg ha-1) were recorded with 120 kg N ha-1 and 30 kg S ha-1, respectively.