Performance of New Wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) varieties under late sown conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, Agra (U.P.) to evaluate the performance of new wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) varieties under late sown conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot Design with two dates of sowing - D₁: Late (10 December) and D₂: Very late (5 January) – as main plot treatments and seven wheat varieties viz. DBW 422, PBW 921, HD 3059, PBW 771, DBW 173, HD 3495 and JKW 261 as sub-plot treatments, replicated thrice. Results revealed that late sowing (D₁ - 10 December) was significantly superior to very late sowing (D₂ - 5January) in all growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield and economic returns. D₁ recorded grain yield of 47.32 q ha⁻¹ compared to 28.35 q ha⁻¹ under D₂. Among varieties, JKW 261 recorded the highest grain yield (40.85 q ha⁻¹), net income (₹ 71,605 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (2.45), followed by PBW 921 (39.70 q ha⁻¹; ₹ 67,950 ha⁻¹; B: C 2.38). It is therefore concluded that sowing wheat on 10 December with variety JKW 261 or PBW 921 can be recommended for higher productivity and profitability under late sown irrigated conditions of the Agra region, western Uttar Pradesh.