RAINFEDWHEAT RESPONSE TO TILLAGE AND NITROGEN

Tillage and nitrogen play an important role in wheat productivity. The objective of the research was to optimize N levels under different tillage systems to improve wheat productivity. A field experiment was conducted to study the response of rainfed wheat to tillage systems (zero, reduced, conventional and maximum) and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 25, 50, 75 kg N ha^-1) on farmer’s field at Sari Naurang (Lakki Marwat), Pakistan during 2007-08. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Tillage systems were allotted to main plots and nitrogen levels to subplots. The experimental result showed that maximum tillage system produced higher number of productive tillers m^-2 (67), and grain yield (1709 kg ha^-1). Nitrogen applied at the rate of 75 kg N ha^-1 significantly increased grain yield (1744 kg ha^-1) while higher number of plants m^-2 (57), 1000 grain weight (34.50 g ) and grains spike^-1 (34) were recorded in plots that received 50 kg N ha^-1. The interaction between T and N was significant for grain weight and grain yield. Maximum tillage improved grain weight up to 50 kg N ha^-1 while conventional tillage increased grain weight with increase in N level. Interaction among the tillage and nitrogen level indicated that maximum, conventional and reduced tillage give highest grain yield at 75 kg N ha^-1. It is concluded that application of 75 kg N ha^-1 under maximum tillage showed promising results in rainfed conditions.