Effect of Nitrogen Level and Crop Geometry on Yield and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A study was carried out to examine the impact of varying levels of nitrogen and crop geometry on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. PBW-550) yield and economics at the agronomy research farm, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, Dehradun, India, during the Rabi season of 2023. The study was set up by adopting a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and a total of 12 treatment combinations. The experiment comprised four different nitrogen levels, namely, N1 = 80 kg ha-1, N2 = 100 kg ha-1, N3 = 120 kg ha-1, and N4 = 140 kg ha-1 in combination with three crop spacings, namely, G1 = 15 cm x 10 cm, G2 = 20 cm x 10 cm, and G3 = 25 cm x 10 cm. The findings exhibited that yield traits, namely, number of grains per spike, test weight, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index were significantly higher in treatment T8, (N3G2; 120 kg N ha-1 + 20 cm x 10 cm). Similarly, economic parameters, namely, gross return (Rs. 200,615.5 ha-1), net return (Rs. 145,111.9 ha-1), and B: C ratio (2.48) demonstrated a considerable maximum in treatment T8. In contrast, the treatment T1 (N1G1; 80 kg N ha-1 + 15 cm - 10 cm) revealed the minimum values for both yield and economic parameters. Hence, to maximize the profitability of wheat crop cultivation, the ideal dosage, or nitrogen level, of 120 kg N ha-1 combined with crop spacing of 20 cm - 10 cm is very effective. . KEYWORDS :Crop geometry, Economics, Nitrogen, Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Yield components