IMPACT OF TILLAGE AND POTASSIUM LEVELS AND SOURCES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF WHEAT

Appropriate tillage (T) and potassium (K) fertilizer from a suitable source can play a vital role in optimization of wheat (Triticum aestivum) production. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of potassium levels (of 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg K2O ha(-1)), sources [sulphate of potash (SOP 50% K2O) and muriate of potash (MOP 60% K2O)], and various tillage implement (moldboard plough, chisel plough and rotavator) on growth and yield of wheat in a field experiment during winter 2012-13. Three factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-split plot arrangement having three replications was adopted where tillage implement was assigned to main plot, sources to sub plot and K levels to sub-sub plot. Plots tilled through rotavator or moldboard and treated with 60 kg K2O ha(-1) as SOP produced significantly higher spikes per m(2), kernels per spike, thousand grains weight, kernel and biological yield compared to plots tilled through chisel plough and control or plots fertilized with other K levels. Crop growth rate (CGR) was at par for different tillage implements and K sources. We can conclude that rotavator and mould board plough with application of 60 kg K2O ha(-1) from SOP source have improved yield and yield components of wheat, and optimized wheat production.