Vol. 9, Special Issue 12, Part G (2025)

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2019-20 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to assess the effects of sowing dates, nitrogen levels and irrigation scheduling on the growth and yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam with low organic carbon (0.38%) and available nitrogen (174.62 kg/ha), and medium phosphorus (19.50 kg/ha) and potassium (223.28 kg/ha). Wheat variety HD 2967 was selected due to its regional adaptability. The experiment comprised eighteen treatment combinations arranged in a split-plot design with two sowing dates (20 November and 20 December) and three irrigation levels in the main plots, and three nitrogen levels (80, 120 and 160 kg N/ha) in sub-plots, each replicated thrice. The results indicated that 20 November sowing significantly enhanced growth attributes, recording higher plant height (83.06 cm) at 80 DAS and tillers per running meter (97.50 at 60 DAS) whereas leaf area index was found to be non-significant. Early sowing also produced superior yield attributes including effective tillers (352.54/m²), spike length (10.60 cm), grains per spike (40.61) and test weight (35.01 g). Among irrigation treatments, four irrigations (CRI, tillering, booting and milk stage) resulted in significantly higher growth parameters such as plant height (83.34 cm), dry weight (8.906 g), LAI (4.532), along with improved yield attributes. Nitrogen application at 160 kg/ha also produced the most favourable growth and yield traits, recording maximum plant height (79.60 cm), dry weight (9.246 g), LAI (4.492) and superior yield components. Overall, early sowing (20 November), four irrigations, and 160 kg N/ha were found most effective in enhancing wheat growth and productivity.