Influence of calcium carbide formulations on growth,yield and nitrogen uptake of wheat under field conditions

Field experiments were conducted in 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 to evaluate the effects of three calcium carbide (CaC₂) based formulations (slow release sources of acetylene and ethylene) - matrix-1 (M-1)(21% CaC₂, 58% polyethylene and 21% plaster of paris)], matrix-2 (M-2)(42% CaC₂, 48% polyethylene and 10% plaster of paris)] and paint coated (PC)(35% CaC₂, 44% paint and 21% plaster of paris)] - on nitrification inhibition; growth, yield and nitrogen (N)-uptake of wheat. All the three CaC₂ formulations (CCF,s) inhibited nitrification, reduced plant height, and improved N-uptake, spike bearing tillers, 1000-grains weight and yield of Inqulab-91 and Bhakhar-02 wheat cultivars. Increase in grain yield was found maximum (22% over the control) with M-1 applied at 30 kg CaC₂ ha^?1; followed by M-2 and PC. Furthermore, CaC₂ significantly reduced lodging in Bhakhar-02 plots. It is concluded that grain yield of wheat can be enhanced by the application of CaC₂ formulations particularly M-1 along with NPK fertilizers.