Influence of planting dates and nitrogen levels on yield and quality of durum wheat (Triticum durum)

An experiment was conducted at Indore during winter 1995-97 to study the in fluence of planting dates and N levels on yield and quality of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). The results revealed that the maximum grain yield ( 4.8 tonnes/ha), response to N application (19.3 kg grain/kg N) and return ( Rs 16.0) per rupee invested on fertiliser N were obtained in 1 November sow ing. The yield and quality traits of durum wheat were significantly influen ced by the planting dates and nitrogen levels. Sedimentation value and prot ein content increased, while percentage of yellow-berry kernels decreased s ignificantly under late planting compared to early planting. Similarly, at higher N levels, sedimentation value and protein content increased and yell ow berry percentage decreased. Early planting with high nitrogen levels ass ured high yield but the good quality grain was obtained under late planting .