Response of wheat to varying levels of nitrogen and phosphorus under semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2024-25 at the Agricultural Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, to study the response of wheat (RJ 4037) to varying levels of nitrogen and phosphorus under semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications, consisting of four nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, 180 kg/ha) and three phosphorus levels (0, 20, 40 kg P₂O₅/ha). Results revealed that the application of 180 kg N/ha and 40 kg P₂O₅/ha significantly improved growth, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield, and protein content over lower levels. The highest grain yield (4650 kg/ha) and straw yield (6150.5 kg/ha) were obtained under 180 kg N + 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. Protein content in grain increased to 13.43% under 40 kg P₂O₅/ha, while economics showed maximum gross return (₹1,23,141/ha) and net return (₹88,348/ha) with a B:C ratio of 2.67 under 180 kg N + 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. Thus, balanced application of nitrogen and phosphorus is essential for enhancing wheat productivity, profitability, and soil fertility under semi-arid conditions.