Growth analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars under different seeding dates and irrigation levels in Jharkhand

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 1995 96 and 1996 97 on sandy loam soil of Ranchi, to study the growth behaviour of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori Paol.) cultivars under different dates of sowifig and irrigation levels. Timely seeded wheat (21 November) recorded more tillers/m2, higher dry matter accumulation, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), net assimilation rate (NAR) and crop growth rate (CGR) as well as gave more grain yield (3,301 kglha) than delayed seeded crops. Wheat crop, which received 4 irriga tions, maintained taller plants, more tillers per unit area, dry matter accumulation, LAI, NAR, CGR and RGR and resulted in 13.7 and 29% more grain yield over 3 irrigations (2,349 kglha) and 2 irrigations (2,071 kglha) respec tively. There was no significant difference between both the cultivars ( HUW 234 and K 9006 ) for growth pattern and grain yield but cultivar HUW 234 (7.54 kg grainlha mm) had higher water use efficiency over cultivar K 9006 (7.14 kg grainlha mm).