Urease Inhibitor Application Stages and Nitrogen Levels Influenced on Morpo-Phenological Traits of Wheat Cultivars

Abstract

A field trial was carried out at New Developmental Farm of The University Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during winter 2012-13, in order to study the urease inhibitor application stages and nitrogen levels influenced on morpo-phenological traits of wheat cultivars. Therefore the field experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having four replications.  Nitrogen levels (60, 120 and 150 kg ha^-1) and urease inhibitor  stages (100% sowing stage, 50% sowing stage + 50% booting stage and 100% booting stage) were allotted to main plots, while  wheat cultivars (Siran and Atta Habib)  were allotted to sub plots.  Plots treated with 120 kg N ha^-1 took maximum days to booting (128), improved plant height (97.9 cm), leaf area tiller^-1 (117.8 cm²), spike length (11.3 cm) and biological yield (10382 kg ha^-1) but maximum (185) days to maturity  was observed when plots treated with 150 kg N ha^-1 as compared with control plots. Application of urease inhibitor 100% at sowing stage took maximum booting (133) days, maturity (186) days, improved plant height (102 cm), leaf area tiller^-1 (128 cm²), spike length (11.6 cm) and biological yield (11386 kg ha^-1) as compared with urease application 100% at booting stage. Wheat cultivar Siran had significantly took maximum booting (123) days, maturity (178) days, plant height (94.5 cm), leaf area tiller^-1 (97.6 cm²), spike length (10.3 cm) and biological yield (9331 kg ha^-1) as compared to Atta Habib. Hence cultivar Siran treated with 120 kg N ha^-1 and coated urease inhibitor 100% at sowing stage produced the best results in terms of plant height, leaf area tiller^-1, physiological maturity and biological yield.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), urease inhibitor application stages, nitrogen levels, wheat cultivars, phenology, morphology