Growth, yield attributes and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under different planting pattern or cropping systems and varieties

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season-summer season of 1998-2000 at Udaipur, Rajasthan, to study the effect of planting or cropping systems and varieties on growth, yield attributes and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol). crop. Significantly higher values of each yield component increased the grain yield by 24.0 and 9.9% under cross-sowing over broadcast and conventional sowing (23 cm apart). The corresponding increase in net returns was Rs 7,236 and Rs 3,050/ha respectively. The overall growth and productivity of wheat under furrow-irrigated raised-bed system was at par with cross-sowing, but gave additional green fodder yield when intercropped with berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and or relayed with summer maize (Zea mays L.). The mean performance of varieites indicated that 'HI 8498' durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) was most adaptable under varying planting system and enhanced grain yield by 15.1, 10.0 and 5.1%, respectively, over 'Raj 1555', 'Lok 1' and 'Raj 3077'.