Impact of Specific Nitrogen Management and Tillage Practices on Growth Parameters and Grain Quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2025–26 at Farmer Field, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur to evaluate the effect of nitrogen management and tillage practices on growth, yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications, comprising four tillage practices in main plots viz., zero tillage, minimum tillage, conventional tillage and deep tillage and four nitrogen levels in sub-plots viz., 75% recommended dose of fertilizers, 100% recommended dose of fertilizers, 125% recommended dose of fertilizers and 150% recommended dose of fertilizers. Results revealed that tillage and nitrogen levels significantly influenced growth, yield and quality parameters of wheat. Among tillage practices, deep tillage recorded significantly higher growth attributes, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes and yields, followed by conventional tillage, whereas minimum and zero tillage remained inferior. Deep tillage resulted in maximum grain yield (4655.57 kg ha⁻¹), straw yield (7454.94 kg ha⁻¹) and biological yield (12110.51 kg ha⁻¹), along with higher protein content (12.16%) and protein yield (566.99 kg ha⁻¹). Among nitrogen levels, 125% recommended dose of fertilizers recorded higher grain yield (4372.20 kg ha⁻¹) and superior yield attributes, while 150% recommended dose of fertilizers resulted in maximum straw yield (6892.43 kg ha⁻¹), biological yield (11168.63 kg ha⁻¹), nutrient uptake and protein content (11.97%) with highest protein yield (515.37 kg ha⁻¹). The response beyond 125% recommended dose of fertilizers indicated diminishing returns in grain yield. Economic analysis revealed that 150% recommended dose of fertilizers recorded maximum net returns (₹63530.83 ha⁻¹), whereas 125% recommended dose of fertilizers recorded higher benefit to cost ratio (2.73). Based on one-year experimentation, deep tillage combined with 150% recommended dose of fertilizers improved overall productivity and biomass yield, while 125% recommended dose of fertilizers proved more economical under semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan.