Varietal Performance and Growth Dynamics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management under Semi-arid Conditions of Rajasthan

Abstract

Wheat productivity in semi-arid regions is often constrained by unsuitable varietal selection and imbalanced nutrient management. Integrating appropriate wheat varieties with balanced inorganic fertilisers and organic nutrient sources may improve crop growth and yield under such conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the 2025–26 rabi season at the Agricultural Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the performance of three wheat varieties under six integrated nutrient management treatments. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomised block design with three replications. The varieties were RAJ 3077, RAJ 4238, and RAJ 3765, while the nutrient treatments comprised the control, 75% RDF, 100% RDF, 125% RDF, 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM, and 100% RDF + 25% N through FYM. Growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield differed significantly among varieties and nutrient treatments. RAJ 3765 produced the greatest plant height, tiller number, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, and relative growth rate. It also recorded the highest spike length (9.08 cm), number of grains spike⁻¹ (44.09), 1000-grain weight (47.14 g), grain yield (4233 kg ha⁻¹), straw yield (8554 kg ha⁻¹), biological yield (12786 kg ha⁻¹), and harvest index (32.76%). Among the nutrient treatments, 100% RDF + 25% N through FYM produced the highest corresponding values, including a spike length of 10.14 cm, 48.56 grains spike⁻¹, 1000-grain weight of 47.50 g, grain yield of 4693 kg ha⁻¹, straw yield of 9073 kg ha⁻¹, biological yield of 13767 kg ha⁻¹, and harvest index of 34.07%. The findings indicate that RAJ 3765 combined with 100% RDF + 25% N through FYM was the most productive treatment under the study conditions.