Effect of nitrogen levels and spacing on growth and yield of wheat cv PBW 869

The present research is on “Effect of N levels and spacing on growth and yield of wheat PBW 869” was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi sabo, Bathinda, Punjab during Rabi season of 2023-24.Three replications of the experiment were carried out using a split plot design. Three nitrogen levels (75%, 100%, and 125% RDF) are used in the main plot's treatment, while five row spacings are used in the subplots (15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, and 25 cm). The results of research findings revealed that the nitrogen levels and row spacing significantly influenced the growth and yield of wheat crop. All growth and yield parameters like plant height (102.10 cm), number of effective tillers per plant (10.57), leaf area index (1.90), dry matter accumulation (79.40 q ha-1). Number of leaves per plant (11.49), ear length (9.77 cm) number of grains per spike (44.93), test weight (46.52 g), grain yield (54.52 q ha-1), straw yield (65.42 q ha-1), biological yield (109.94 q ha-1) were significantly higher on 125% RDF followed by other nitrogen levels (100% RDF and 75% RDF). However, growth and yield parameters like plant height (92.40 cm), number of effective tillers per plant (10.91), leaf area index (1.42), dry matter accumulation (55.23 q ha-1) number of leaves per plant (9.38), Ear length (7.86), number of grains per spike (40.12), test weight (38.24 g), grain yield (54.30 q ha-1), straw yield (65.16 q ha-1) and biological yield (109.46 q ha-1) were significantly higher than other row spacing. The highest gross return (Rs. 115855ha-1), net return (Rs. 32385.15 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.05) were also significantly higher on 125% RDF than other nitrogen levels. In comparison to different row spacing treatments, the greatest gross return (Rs. 115387.5 ha-1), net return (Rs.30480.75 ha-1), and benefit cost ratio (1.15) were all significantly higher. Significantly lower benefit-cost ratio (1.62), net return (Rs. 45152.64ha-1) and gross return (Rs.95922.5 ha-1) were found at 75% RDF nitrogen level.