Growth and yield variability of wheat as effected by split application of potassium and nitrogen

An experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Budgam- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, to evaluate the Growth and yield variability of wheat as effected by split application of potassium and nitrogen. The experiment was set up in a split-plot design replicated thrice with Potassium splits as main plot factor and nitrogen splits as sub plot factor which resulted in 15 treatment combinations, viz. of potassium @ 30 kg/ha [K1: 100% as basal dose-(RFP); K2: 50% as basal dose + 50% at active tillering; K3: as basal dose + 75% at active tillering] and 5 treatments of nitrogen @ 120 kg/ha in split ratios of [N1 : 50% as basal + 25% at jointing + 25% at booting stage (RFP); N2: 25% as basal dose + 75% at active tillering; N3 : 25% as basal dose +50% at active tillering + 25% at booting; N4 : 50% as basal + 50% at active tillering; N5 : 0% as basal + 75% at active tillering + 25% at booting]. The results revealed that growth parameters like plant height, number of tillers (m-2) and dry matter accumulation at various phenological stages were higher with the application of potassium in two equal splits in the ratio of 50:50 as compared to the treatment where potassium was applied in one split as 100% basal dose. The mean increase in plant height during the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 was 7.24% at jointing, 9.01% at boot stage, 8.93% at Anthesis, 8.6% at milk stage, 8.35% at Dough stage and 8.31% at maturity in case of 50:50 as compared to 100% as basal dose. Application of nitrogen in three splits with reduced basal dose in the ratio of 25:50:25 resulted in improved plant height, number of tillers (m-2), dry matter accumulation at various phenological stages as compared to recommended practice. Application of potassium in two equal splits in the ratio of 50: 50 (basal + active tillering) with the application of nitrogen in three splits in the ratio of 25: 50: 25 (basal + active tillering + booting) recorded higher grain yields as compared to other treatment combinations.