Need-based nitrogen management of wheat through use of green seeker and leaf color chart for enhancing grain yield and quality

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is a major nutrient influencing the wheat grain yield. The experiment was conducted to need-based N application using leaf color chart (LCC) and GreenSeeker on grain yield and quality. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with the combination of three varieties (WH 1105, HD 2967 and PBW 621) in main plots and seven nitrogen management practices [absolute control, N₁₅₀ kg/ha, N by LCC ≥ 4 135/125 kg N ha⁻¹, N by LCC ≥ 4 145/135 kg Nha⁻¹, N by LCC ≥ 4 155/145 kg ha⁻¹, Green Seeker (129.3 kg N/ha) and N 225 kg ha⁻¹] in sub-plots replicated thrice. Wheat varieties WH 1105, HD 2967 and PBW 621 showed similar grain yields. The protein content of PBW 621 was better than WH 1105 and HD 2967. GreenSeeker guided 122.9-133.3 kg N ha⁻¹ for wheat varieties found more efficient than blanket N recommendation of 150 kg N ha⁻¹. The N management with LCC 145 kg/ha (LCC ≥ 4:155/45) saved 5 kg N/ha. The N management with LCC 145/135 kg N ha⁻¹ (LCC ≥ 4) saved 15 kg N ha⁻¹ but with a yield penalty of 3.2% as compared to 150 kg N ha⁻¹. Comparable quality with GreenSeeker and LCC 145 kg N ha⁻¹ was observed as compared to blanket 150 kg N ha⁻¹ application.

Keywords:

• Wheat yield
• quality
• leaf color chart
• green seeker