Scheduling of nitrogen and potash application in irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A feld experiment was conducted on clayey soil at Junagadh (Gujarat) during rabi 2012-13 to study the effect of application schedules of nitrogen and potassium on growth and yield of irrigated wheat. The results revealed that application of 40 kg N/ha as basal + 40 kg N/ ha at 25 DAS + 40 kg N/ha at 45 DAS, being statistically at par with application of 30 kg N/ha as basal + 45 kg N/ha at 25 DAS + 45 kg N/ha at 45 DAS, signifcantly enhanced plant height, number of effective tillers and 1000-grain weight, and ultimately increased grain and straw yields over application of 60 kg N/ha as basal + 60 kg N/ ha at 25 DAS. Application of 40 kg N/ha as basal + 40 kg N/ha at 25 DAS + 40 kg N/ha at 45 DAS accrued higher net returns (Rs. 37824/ ha) and B:C (2.02). Signifcantly higher values of growth and yield attributes were registered with application of 60 kg K2 O/ha either as basal or in two splits. Application of 60 kg K2 O/ha either as basal or in two splits signifcantly increased grain and straw yields over control. Application of 30 kg K2 O/ha as basal + 30 kg K2 O/ha at 25 DAS gave higher net returns (Rs. 36050/ha) and B:C (1.96).