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Role of thiourea in improving productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

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Abstract

The role of thiourea (TU), a sulfhydryl compound, was assessed in wheat via soil and foliar treatments. Results showed that at 30 days after flowering, soil-applied TU treatments did not influence dry matter accumulation 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, biological 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 treatment of 0.5 kg/ha TU at tillering increased the number of ears, grains/ear, weight/grain, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index. Grain 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 yield 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 increase of 7.5%. Thus, two foliar sprays of thiourea, at tillering and at flowering, at 1 kg/ha can be recommended for improving wheat productivity.

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Abbreviations

TU:

thiourea

DMA:

dry matter accumulation

DMD:

dry matter distribution

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Rajasthan Agricultural University, 313 001, Udaipur, India

    M. P. Sahu & D. Singh

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  1. M. P. Sahu
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  2. D. Singh
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Sahu, M.P., Singh, D. Role of thiourea in improving productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). J Plant Growth Regul 14, 169–173 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204908

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204908

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