ROLE OF THIOUREA IN IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY OF WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L)

The role of thiourea (TU), a sulfhydryl compound, was assessed in whea t via soil and foliar treatments. Results showed that at 30 days after flowering, soil-applied TU treatments did not influence dry matter ac cumulation or its distribution in leaves, stems, and ears, but foliar- applied treatments brought about significant effects varying with the timing of spray. At harvest, however, soil-applied treatment of 10 kg/ ha TU increased the number of ears, grains/ear, weight/grain, biologic al yield (total above ground biomass), grain yield, and harvest index. Grain yield increased by 17.3% over control. Soil-applied 20 kg/ha TU increased the grain yield by 1.6% over control. Foliar applied treatm ent of 0.5 kg/ha TU at tillering increased the number of ears, grains/ ear, weight/grain, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index. G rain yield increased by 15.2% over control. Foliar spray of 0.5 kg/ha TU at flowering tended to improve only weight/grain, but biological yi eld and grain yield increased significantly. Grain yield increased by 6.6% over control. TU spray at both tillering and flowering increased the number of ears, grains/ear, weight/grain, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index. Grain yield increased by 23.9% over control, and when compared with spray at tillering there was a significant inc rease of 7.5%. Thus, two foliar sprays of thiourea, at tillering and a t flowering, at 1 kg/ha can be recommended for improving wheat product ivity.