International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
PK Singh, SK Singh, Abhishek Chauhan and AK Singh

abstract
A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2014-15 and 2015-16 at research farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jamui, (Bihar) to elucidate the effect of different sowing date and cultivars on yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with treatment comprising three dates of sowing viz. 15^th November, 23^rd November and 01^st December and 5 different cultivars viz. HD -2733, HD - 2824, PBW- 343, PBW-443 and UP-262 and replicate three times. Sowing at 15^th November significantly influenced the plant height, effective tillers compared to the late sowing viz. 01^st December. The no. of effective tillers and no. of grains per spike was highest with cultivars HD - 2733 (338 and 10.50) and was closely followed by (HD-2824) and significantly superior to rest of tested cultivars. Maximum grain yield (37.80 q ha^-1) was obtained with 15^th November sowing which was significantly superior to the other dates of sowing. Net return Rs. 45,650was reported with 15^th November sowing and was followed by 23^rd November (Rs.50.365}and higher benefit cost ratio of 2.46 was also recorded with 15^th November sowing. Amongst all varietal treatments, maximum net return Rs. (Rs 52,435) and benefit cost ratio (2.02) was recorded with cultivar HD - 2733 and was followed by HD-2824. To conclude, in spite of low yield of wheat due to post anthesis heat stress cultivation of wheat cannot be ignored totally. Therefore, efforts must be made to minimize the effect of temperature variation caused due to changed sowing date by choosing appropriate wheat varieties which can synchronize its temperature requirement.