INFLUENCE OF PLANTING DATES AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON SEED DEVELOPMENT, YIELD AND QUALITY OF WHEAT

Abstract

The assessment of planting dates and nitrogen fertilization is a vital and practical approach for predicting crop performance in terms of seed development, yield and yield components and quality improvement in all cropping system. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of four planting dates and four nitrogen levels on agronomical, physiological and qualitative parameters of two wheat varieties during 2008-9 and 2009-10. Wheat varieties Pirsabaq-2005 and Khyber-87 were planted on four different dates with 20 days interval from October 24th to December 24th with four nitrogen levels of 0,100,130 and 160 kg/ha at New Developmental Farm, University of Agriculture, Peshawar. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having split plot arrangement. Planting dates individually or in interaction with nitrogen significantly affected the seed developmental profile, yield and yield components and seed quality parameters of both varieties. Early planting dates of October, 24th and November 15th performed better in all agronomical, physiological and qualitative parameters in both varieties. A steady decrease was observed in yield and yield components, physiological attributes and qualitative traits (germination and vigor) with delayed planting. Nitrogen application at the rate of 100 and 130 kg/ha gave maximum yield components, whereas further increase in nitrogen dose had an adverse effect on all yield, physiological and quality parameters. Split application has a profound effect over single application and improved the yield and quality (germination and vigor) of both varieties. Variety Khyber-87 performed better in early plant date of October,24th with the lowest dose of nitrogen (100 kg/ha), whereas the performance of variety Pirsabaq-85 was better in early and as well as in normal planting date along with the application of (100 kg N). Therefore, it is concluded from this study that farmer’s should practice/prefer early planting for obtaining maximum grain and biological yield at 100 kg N/ha as compared to late November and December sowing. Delayed planted crop treated with 160 kg N/ha had detrimental effects on crop performance in all yield and quality parameters (germination, seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity and field emergence).