Estimating Growth and Yield Related Traits of Wheat Genotypes under Variable Nitrogen Application in Semi-Arid Conditions.

The current study was conducted at Agronomic Research Area of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2008-09 and 2009-10 growing seasons, to investigate the grain yield and yield components of ten new wheat cultivars under variable nitrogen (N) levels. Each year, the crop was sown on 12lh November with four N levels (N₁= 0 kg ha^-1, N₂= 55 kg ha^-1, N₃=110 kg ha^-1, N₄= 220 kg ha^-1) and ten cultivars (Faisalabad-2008, Lasani-2008, Miraj-2008, Sahar-2006, Shafaq-2006, GA-2002, Bakkhar-2001, Inqlab-91, Chakwal-50 and Chakwal-97). Split Plot Design was used keeping N levels in main plots and cultivars in subplots with three replications. The results showed that increasing levels of N significantly increased plant height, total dry matter, number of productive tillers, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. Grain yield was 2670, 3140, 3480 and 4370 kg ha^-1 in the respective nitrogen treatments. The application of N @ 220 kg ha^-1 in cultivar Faisalabad-2008 resulted in higher yield under irrigated semi-arid conditions of the Punjab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]