Effect of nitrogen application timings and varieties on growth and yield of wheat grown on raised beds

An experiment, in which wheat was grown on raised beds, was conducted during rabi seasons (planted November-December-harvested April-May) of 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 at the Research Farm of the CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The experiment had six nitrogen (N) application timings (full dose at sowing, 1/2 dose at sowing + 1/2 dose at first irrigation, 1/3 dose at sowing + 2/3 dose at first node tage, 1/3 dose at sowing + 1/3 dose at first irrigation + 1/3 dose at first node stage, full dose at first node stage and full dose at crown root initiation stage) as main effects and five wheat varieties: PBW343, WH711, WH542, WH283 and HD2687 as sub-effects. Growth, N uptake, yield and yield attributes of wheat were significantly higher under split (two or three) applications of N as compared to N applied as a single application. Amongst the varieties, PBW343 had the highest yield. The variety had vigorous growth in terms of plant height and dry matter accumulation, which eventually produced significantly higher effective tillers, higher number of grains per head and higher grain weight per head and ultimately significantly higher grain and straw yields