Yield and Resource Use Optimization in Late Transplanted Mint (Mentha arvensis) under Subtropical Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during 1994 and 1995 at Lucknow (26.5°N, 80.5°E, 120 m above mean sea level) to optimize planting density and fertilizer-N application for high essential oil yield of late transplanted mint ( Mentha arvensis ). The treatments studied were 2.5, 2.0 and 1.66 × 10⁵ mint seedlings ha⁻¹ and 0, 80, 160 and 240 kg N ha⁻¹. Under 3 months delayed planting conditions using 2-month-old seedlings, the high planting density of 2.5 × 10⁵ plants ha⁻¹combined with 160 kg N ha⁻¹ gave significantly higher herb and essential oil yields compared with those of lower planting densities (2 and 1.66 × 10⁵ plants ha⁻¹) and all other rates of N application. It is demonstrated that a transplanted mini crop, yielding essential oil at a level of 164 kg ha⁻¹, is feasible after the harvest of rabi cereal, oil seed or legume crops in the north Indian plains.     

Differences between Maize Cultivars in Yield Formation, Nitrogen Uptake and associated Depletion of Soil Nitrate

In a 3-year field experiment conducted on a Gleyic Luvisol in Stuttgart-Hohenheim, ten maize cultivars (nine commercial and one experimental hybrid) were compared in their ability to utilize a high soil nitrogen (N) supply. Total N content of the shoots at about silage maturity ranged from 213 to 328 kg N ha⁻¹ (1986), from 177 to 223 kg N ha⁻¹ (1987) and from 185 to 226 kg N ha⁻¹ (1988). In all three experimental years, total shoot N uptake was significantly positively correlated to stover yield, and also to N concentrations in the ears and in the total plant dry matter. In contrast, a negative correlation between ear yields of the cultivars and total N uptake was indicated. Differences between the cultivars in N uptake were reflected in a corresponding soil nitrate depletion. At harvest, residual nitrate-N in the 0–90 cm soil layer ranged from 34–63 kg N ha⁻¹ m 1987 and 32–71 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1988. The results indicate, that growing of cultivars selected for high N uptake-capactiy of the shoots may contribute to an increased utilization of a high soil N supply and thus to a reduction of nitrate leaching.     

Growth dynamics of winter wheat in the field with daily fertilization and irrigation

In a field experiment with fertilized and irrigated winter wheat the above-ground crop was sampled once a week. Phenological development, plant density and canopy height were recorded and the green surface areas of leaves, stems and ears were measured. Soil mineral nitrogen was sampled and the field climate monitored. There were four treatments. The daily irrigated/fertilized (IF) and daily irrigated (I) treatments were both irrigated by a drip-tube system. Liquid fertilizer was applied to IF following a logistic function according to calculated plant uptake. A total of 200 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied. Treatment I, control (C) and drought (D) were all fertilized once in spring with 200 kg N ha⁻¹. In treatment D transparent screens were used to divert rainwater. Dry matter production ranged between 1400 in D and 2352 g m⁻² in IF. The corresponding amount of nitrogen uptake ranged between 15.8 and 24.6 g m⁻². After harvest, soil mineral nitrogen was lowest in IF.
An increase in the availability of nitrogen and water enhanced total biomass production as well as grain yield and leaf area. The daily supply of nitrogen according to crop demand delayed nitrogen uptake and increased total uptake. The results suggest that when the nitrogen is supplied in accordance with crop demand, the efficiency with which the applied fertilizer is utilized increases and the risk for nitrogen leaching decreases.     

Maximizing Sugarcane Yield by Increasing Plant Population Density, Minimizing NO3-N Leaching and Improving Soil Organic Matter in Different Crop Rotations

In a field experiment conducted during 1992–95 at Lucknow, India, sugarcane was planted in rows 60 and 90 cm apart in three crop rotations (rice-sugarcane-ratoon, Sesbania aculeata for green manure-sugarcane-ratoon, and cowpea-sugarcane-ratoon) with 0, 150 and 300 kg N ha⁻¹ as urea either with or without farmyard manure (FYM) at 10 t ha⁻¹. Sugarcane yields were significantly greater in the Sesbania rotation than in the other because of a larger N uptake. N uptake of the crop was significantly affected by soil organic carbon, and available N and K contents. Ratoon yields, however, were largest in the cowpea sequence followed by the rice rotation, probably due to a prolonged residual effect of cowpea and rice root residues. The residual effect of a Sesbania green manure was negligible as demonstrated by the low NO₃-N content of the soil profile after sugarcane harvest compared to the other two crop sequences. The total cane productivity (main sugarcane plus ratoon) was greater (156 t ha⁻¹) in the cowpea rotation than the Sesbania (152 t ha⁻¹) and rice (140 t ha⁻¹) rotations.     

Phosphorus Accumulation and Translocation in Wheat as Affected by Cultivar and Nitrogen Fertilization

To improve nutrient management strategies in wheat more information is needed about the interaction effects among nutrients in their uptake and redistribution in the plants, in relation to different genotypes. Therefore, two bread ( T. aestivum L.) and two durum ( T. durum Desf.) winter wheat cultivars were grown in the field for 2 years (1986, 1987) in a silty-clay soil under different nitrogen (N) levels, in Northern Greece. Nitrogen at a rate of 150 kg ha⁻¹ was applied before planting or 100 kg ha⁻¹ before planting and then 50 kg ha⁻¹ at early boot stage. Cultivar differences in phosphorus (p) concentration were observed only in vegetative parts but not in the grain. Maximum p accumulation was observed either at anthesis or at maturity. During grain filling dry matter and p accumulation in the grain followed almost the same pattern. Phosphorus translocation efficiency of the cultivars at the 2 years ranged from 70.7 to 84.3 % and the amount of p in the grain derived from translocation 52 to 100 %. Phosphorus translocation efficiency was weakly correlated with p content in grain only in 1986, while phosphorus harvest index (PHI) was positively correlated with harvest indst (HI) both years (r = 0.82** in 1986 and 0.75** in 1987). Nitrogen application mainly affected p accumulation of the cultivars via its effect on biomass production. The split N application promoted slightly the p uptake in 1987 and this resulted in the reduction of both the contribution of the translocated p to the grain and the efficiency of p utilization for total biomass. Results indicated that p accumulation and translocation and the efficiency of p utilization in wheat were mainly determined by the genotype in relation to environmental condition of growth.     

Effect of Foliar Applications of Glycinebetaine on Stress Tolerance, Growth, and Yield of Spring Cereals and Summer Turnip Rape in Finland

Crop losses caused by environmental stresses might be reduced by applying osmoprotectans to crop canopies. Glycinebetaine is endogenously accumulated by some halophytes under stress conditions and represents such a compound. Glycinebetaine was applied exogenously to barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), oat ( Avena sativa L.), spring wheat ( Triticum aestwum L.), and summer turnip rape ( Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera DC.) canopies and its optimal concentration was monitored in the greenhouse. In field experiments the response of crop plants to betaine applications was assessed by measuring accumulation of above ground biomass, leaf area index (LAI), leaf chlorophyll, and yield. The optimum betaine concentration producing advantageous effects on growth and crop physiology in turnip rape was close to 0.1 M and for wheat 0.3 M. Such concentrations promoted accumulation of betaine similar to that of halophytes under stress conditions [ca. 200 μmol (g DM)⁻¹]. In the 1993 field experiment peak LAIs were recorded in irrigated wheat and barley treated with 17.5 kg ha⁻¹ betaine applied at 300 1 ha⁻¹. Green leaf area was slightly more persistent in wheat treated twice with 1 kg ha⁻¹ betaine applied at 200 1 ha⁻¹ in 1994, although it was not associated with increased grain yield. Our results indicated that betaine has no actual potential in Finland for the principal grain crops but further studies are needed in stress prone environments to assess the potential of betaine treatments for preventing crop failures.     

The Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on the Nitrogen Absorption by Sunflowers

Little is known about the effect of fertilization on the N uptake of sunflowers. A 4² factorial trial with 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg P ha⁻¹ was conducted over three years. The N content and concentration of leaves, stems and capitula were determined at three growth stages. High N levels increased the N content and concentration of all plant parts at all growth stages sharply. High P levels increased the N content of all plant components through better growth. P has an inconsistent effect on N concentration but tended to decrease it. After flowering the crop assimilated 20 to 25 % of the total N. This implies that N applied can still be applied and utilized by the crop at a late stage. This should be substantiated by further research.     

Estimation and Partitioning of Nitrogen Fixed by Soybean in Mediterranean Climates

A field study was conducted to estimate the nitrogen fixation by soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], using the A-value and the N-difference methods, and to examine the N partitioning within the plant. The cultivar Clark and its non-nodulating isoline (as reference crop) were grown in a silty clay (Typic Xerothent) soil, in 1991 and 1992. ₁₅N-Labelled fertilizer was surface applied in solution, at rates of 20 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ to the nodulating and non-nodulating soybean, respectively. Plant samples were taken at full bloom (R2), beginning of seed growth (R5) and physiological maturity (R7). There was little nitrogen fixation at the early growth stages but it increased rapidly during the seed filling period. At R7 nitrogen fixed was estimated by the A-value method as 155 kg N ha_-1 in 1991 and as 240 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1992. The corresponding estimates by the N-difference method were significantly smaller. The seeds had a higher, and the vegetative parts smaller, proportion of fixed nitrogen compared to the whole plant. During the seed filling period, the translocation efficiency for fixed nitrogen was greater (93 % in 1991 and 85 % in 1992) compared to the N derived from soil (75 and 56 %, respectively). It was estimated that, after the harvest of pods, the soil was depleted by a net amount of 121 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1991 and 90 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1992.     

Response of Mustard to Ethrel Spray and Basal and Foliar Application of Nitrogen

In a field trial conducted during 1992–93 and 1993–94, the effect of basal (B) nitrogen (N) (45 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹) and foliar application (F) of water (W) or 10 kg N ha⁻¹ and 400 or 600 ppm ethrel (E) (2-Chloro ethyl phosphonic acid) at 70 days after sowing was studied on leaf area index and dry mass at 90 days and pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil vield at harvest of mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) cv. T-59. Recommended basal (B) application of 90 kg N ha (BN₉₀) was used as control. On the basis of 2 year data it was found that basal application of 60 kg N and foliar spray of 10 kg N ha ⁻¹ and 600 ppm ethrel gave higher values for growth and yield characteristics and enhanced seed yield and oil yield by 12.5 and 14.8%, respectively over control BN_90.     

Effect of Irrigation and N-Fertilization (Fertigation) Scheduling on Tomato in the Jordan Valley

Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum mill. cv. Petopride ) is the most important vegetable crop in Jordan; its production is characterized by inadequate irrigation and fertilization practices, especially under open field conditions. A field study was carried out to determine the effect of different irrigation intervals and different N-fertilizer doses on water use, tomato yields and residual soil nitrogen.
Results indicated significant differences in water use and tomato yields between irrigation treatments. Highest yield (51.4 ton ha⁻¹) was obtained under three irrigations per week with 504 mm total water supply, whereas under irrigation once a week 35.3 ton ha⁻¹were produced with 353 mm total water supply. There were no significant differences in yield between fertigation with ten equal time intervals and fertigations with intervals as per crop requirements, the yields were 47.1 ton ha⁻¹ and 44.5 ton ha⁻¹, respectively. However, yield was significantly lower with three fertigations at equal intervals and equal doses (35.8 ton ha⁻¹) throughout the season. There were no significant differences between mineral nitrogen forms in terms of yield effects. Significant irrigation effects were observed on total soil nitrogen. Residual soil N was 0.052% in the surface layer (0–30 cm), and 0.030% in the subsurface layer (30–60 cm).     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Relation to FYM, Nitrogen and Source of Fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1992–93 and 1993–94 at Anand to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson]. The results showed significant variation in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), dry matter production and seed yield. The direct effect of farmyard manure (FYM) was conspicuous in improving the growth of mustard. FYM application at 10 tonnes ha⁻¹ significantly increased the LAI, CGR and dry matter accumulation per plant at almost all the stages during first year study (1992–93) and in pooled analysis. Similarly, nitrogen application registered maximum LAI, CGR at 75 kg level and RGR and NAR at 50 kg level at almost all the during both years. Sulphur carrying source (Ammonium sulphate plus single super phosphate) increased all stages growth characters. Maximum dry matter accumulation per plant and seed yield were recorded with highest levels of FYM (20 tonnes ha⁻¹), N (75 kg ha⁻¹) and source having S. Seed yield was strongly associated with LAI and dry matter accumulation per plant at all the stages.     

Effects of Irrigation at Different Growth Stages and Source-Sink Manipulations on Yield and Yield Components of Mung Bean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, in Dry and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka

Irrigation is a management option available to farmers in the subhumid zones of Sri Lanka to increase mung bean yields during the dry Yala season. The objective of this study was to quantify the yield gain in response to irrigation at different stages of the crop and thereby determine the most suitable stage/s of irrigation. Four field experiments were conducted during Yala in 1995 and 1996 at two sites, Maha-Illuppallama (MI) and Kundasale (KS). Eight irrigation regimes consisting of all possible combinations of irrigation at three growth stages of the crop were defined. The respective growth stages were vegetative (from germination to appearance of first flower), flowering (from appearance of first flower to 75 % pod initiation) and pod-filling (from 75 % pod initiation to maturity). The treatments which received irrigation during two or more stages had significantly higher yields (793–1396 kg ha⁻¹) than those which received irrigation during only one stage (401–756 kg ha⁻¹) with the lowest yield being shown by the rain-fed treatment (227–396 kg ha⁻¹). When at least two stages can be irrigated, irrigation during the flowering and pod-filling stages was most effective. Irrigation during flowering produced the highest yield gain when only one stage could be irrigated. Seed yield showed a strong positive correlation with number of pods m^−2. Fifity per cent de-podding caused yield reductions at both sites, indicating sink limitation. In contrast, 50 % defoliation reduced the yields only at MI where the number of pods m⁻² was greater than at KS. Hence, source limitation was present only when the number of pods was higher.     

Effect of Depth and Method of Irrigation and Nitrogen Application on Herb and Oil Yields of Java Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.) under Semi-arid Tropical Conditions

A field expenment was conducted during 1992–94 at CIMAP, Field Station, Bangalore, India to study the effect of depth (25, 37.5 and 50 mm) and methods (Ridge and furrow and Broad Bed and furrow method) of irrigation and nitrogen levels (0, 200 and 400 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) on herb and oil yields of Java citronella. At the highest level of N application (400 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) ridge and furrow method was better suited for irrigating citronella. However, under lower N levels (0 and 200 kgN ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), as much as 30 % water can be saved by the broad bed and furrow method. The results have shown that highest herb and oil yields of citronella were achieved with the application of 400 kg N and maintaining 25 mm depth of irrigation. Content and quality of oil were not affected either by irrigation or nitrogen.     

Effect of Gibberellic Acid Spray and Basal Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Productivity and Fatty Acid Composition of Rapeseed-Mustard

Two field experiments were conducted during] 994-95 to study the effect of spray of 10⁻⁵ M GA3 at 40 days after sowing on mustard ( Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.) cv. Varuna grown with basally applied 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (Expt. 1) and 0,15, 30 and 45 kg P ha⁻¹ (Expt. 2) on pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index and fatty acid composition of oil. No significant difference between water and GA3 spray was found when basally applied nitrogen was 0 or 40 kg N ha⁻¹. N₈₀ proved to be the best for yield characteristics. In another experiment on phosphorus, GA₃ and 30 kg P ha⁻¹ individually enhanced the yield, but interaction of GA₃ and P remained non-significant. The fatty acid composition of oil in both experiments was significantly affected only by nitrogen and phosphorus treatments for oleic acid and erucic acid. It was found that return in the form of yield was more for every kg applied fertilizer under GA, spray treatment. The response was more for N fertilizer in comparison to P. GA₃ at a low level of fertilization significantly increased the return from fertilization.     

Studies on Sowing Depth for Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), Faba Bean(Vicia faba L.) and Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in a Mediterranean-type Environment of South-western Australia

Pulses such as chickpea, faba bean and lentil have hypogeal emergence and their cotyledons remain where the seed is sown, while only the shoot emerges from the soil surface. The effect of three sowing depths (2.5, 5 and 10 cm) on the growth and yield of these pulses was studied at three locations across three seasons in the cropping regions of south-western Australia, with a Mediterranean-type environment. There was no effect of sowing depth on crop phenology, nodulation or dry matter production for any species. Mean seed yields across sites ranged from 810 to 2073 kg ha⁻¹ for chickpea, 817–3381 kg ha⁻¹ for faba bean, and 1173–2024 kg ha⁻¹ for lentil. In general, deep sowing did not reduce seed yields, and in some instances, seed yield was greater at the deeper sowings for chickpea and faba bean. We conclude that the optimum sowing depth for chickpea and faba bean is 5–8 cm, and for lentil 4–6 cm. Sowing at depth may also improve crop establishment where moisture from summer and autumn rainfall is stored in the subsoil below 5 cm, by reducing damage from herbicides applied immediately before or after sowing, and by improving the survival of Rhizobium inoculated on the seed due to more favourable soil conditions at depth.     

Effect of High Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) Sowing Rates on Establishment Year Yield, Stand Persistence and Forage Quality

The effect of very high sowing rates on establishment year dry matter (DM) yield and stand persistence of irrigated lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.) was studied. Two cultivars ('Peace' and 'Apollo II') were sown in 1986 at two row spacings and six sowing rates from 5.6 to 50.4 kg ha⁻¹. Established seedling density (S_d) increased linearly with sowing rate (R):S_d= 24.1R. Establishment year DM yield increased at sowing rates from 5.6 to 16.8 kg ha⁻¹, levelled off as sowing rate increased to 33.6 ka ha⁻¹, and then decreased as sowing rate increased further. Thus, there was a broad optimum sowing rate that gave a maximum sowing year DM yield. Percent plant survival to the third year (1988) decreased with increasing sowing rate so that plant densities became similar for sowing rates greater than 16.8 kg ha⁻¹. Within the range 5.6 to 16.8 kg ha⁻¹, increasing sowing rate increased stand persistence measured as 1988 plant density; however, a corresponding increase in DM yield was not obtained. For all full-production years, DM yield was independent of sowing rate. Sowing rate did not affect three chemical measures of forage quality.     

Optimum Seed Rate and Nitrogen Fertilizer Requirement of Rice Under Semi-deepwater Ecosystem

The effect of varying seed rates (100–1000 seeds m⁻²) and nitrogen fertilizer (0–60 kg N ha_-1) applied either in a single basal dose or in splits was investigated on a tall elongating, photosensitive rice variety, Nalini, under semi-deepwater conditions (0–100cm) during 1993 and 1994 at Cuttack, India. Seedling emergence was higher in 1993 (53.9 %) than in 1994 (44.1 %) and it increased proportionately with increasing seed rate, Increase in the number of tillers and panicles m⁻² at higher seed rates was associated with a corresponding decrease in panicle weight. Regression analysis indicated a decrease of 0.91–1.28g in panicle weight for an increase of 100 panicles m⁻². The grain yield of rice was significantly higher at 400 seeds m⁻² in 1993 and at 600 seeds m⁻² in 1994 than at low seed rates but further increase in seed rate did not increase the yield. Application of N fertilizer increased the panicle number and thereby grain yield significantly. The effect of basal and split applied N at active or maximum tillering stages as well as between 30 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was not significant on the grain yield. The results suggest that a basal dose of 30kg N ha⁻¹ and seeding density of 400–600 seeds m⁻², resulting in 40–50 % seedling emergence and 150–200 panicles m⁻², each with 2.0–2.5 g weight, may be adequate for optimum productivity of rice under semideepwater conditions.     

Effect of Integration of Fertilizer and Green Manure Nitrogen on Yield Attributes, Nitrogen Uptake and Yield of Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, India, during the wet seasons of 1992 and 1993 to study the effect of full and partial substitution of fertiliser N with green manure N (Sesbania rostrata) on nitrogen uptake, yield attributes and yield of rice. The experiment consisted of eight treatments with two levels of N (100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) and three sources of N application viz., fertilizer, integrated (1:1 fertilizer and green manure N) and green manure N compared to the recommended practice (150 kg fertilizer plus 6.25 t ha⁻¹ (72 kg N) green manure) and a no N control. Nitrogen application markedly increased the N uptake. Combined use of the two N sources at 200 and 222 kg N ha⁻¹ and of single fertilizer N at 200 kg N ha⁻¹ recorded the maximum N uptake, increased the yield attributes such as number of panicles per unit area, weight per panicle, number of total and filled grains per panicle and test weight. At 200 kg N ha⁻¹ full substitution of N by green manure reduced the grain yield but only partial substitution of N by green manure resulted in almost similar yield as single fertilizer N. Thus 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied in equal proportions of fertilizer and green manure N can be recommended for medium duration rice cultivars.     

Performance of Rapeseed-mustard Cultivars under Various Moisture Regimes on the Gangetic Alluvial Plain of West Bengal

A Field trial was conducted during 1988–89 and 1989–90 at Water Management Research Station, Memari. Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Burdwan, to study the effect of three different irrigation regimes, namely rainfed (I₁) (No irrigation), one irrigation (I₂) at flowering and two irrigations (I₃ at flowering and at sihqua formation stages) on the grain yield and water expenses on four different rapeseed-mustard cultivars, namely Pusa Bold, Pusa Baroni, Varuna and DIR 247. The variety DIR 247 recorded maximum grain yield (12.1 qha') followed by Pusa Baroni (11.8 q ha⁻¹). The variety Varuna showed the lowest water use efficiency (48.1 kg ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹) while DIR 247 showed the maximum value of 57.0 kg ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The number of irrigations significantly increased the grain yield. Two irrigations, one at flowering and at siliqua formation stage increased grain yield by 28 % over the rainfed plots. During the crop growth period the actual water expenses among the cultivars in any moisture regime were more or less similar. The interaction between varieties and irrigation levels were, however, not significant.     

Response of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to Applied Nitrogen with or without Ethrel Spray under Non-irrigated Conditions

Field studies were conducted during the winter seasons of 1995–96 and 1996–97 at the Agricultural Farm of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India on mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss., var. Alankar) under non-irrigated conditions, to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of 200 p.p.m. ethrel (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) at flowering growth stage along with basal 0, 40, 80 or 120 kg N ha⁻¹ on net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (C_S), stomatal resistance (R_S), leaf K content, relative water content (RWC), leaf area index (LAI) and total dry matter (TDM) production monitored at 20 days after spray application, and plant N content, seed N content, nitrogen harvest index (NHI), nitrogen yield merit (NYM), pods plant⁻¹, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index (HI), seed yield merit (SYM) and merit of genotype (MOG) at harvest. Results indicated that, at 0 or 40 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel did not produce any significance effect, but at basal 80 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel affected the parameters favourably with the exception of 1000 seed weight, HI, seed N and NHI. Ethrel-sprayed plants utilized N from the soil more effectively and showed increased NYM. Yield attributes, seed yield and merit of genotype (in terms of NYM and SYM) were also enhanced. Ethrel spray enhanced seed yield under water stress conditions mainly by increasing K uptake and retaining higher RWC, thereby decreasing R_S and increasing LAI, P_N and TDM production.