Impact of Silicon and Nitrogen Fertilization on Wheat Development and Productivity in Loamy Sand Conditions

A field experiment was carried out during the Rabi season of 2021–22 at the Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. The experimental site had loamy sand soil with a neutral pH (7.01), safe electrical conductivity (0.18 dSm⁻¹), low organic carbon (0.39%), medium phosphorus (38.10 kg ha⁻¹), medium potassium (191.25 kg ha⁻¹), and available silicon of 60.75 kg ha⁻¹. The study was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications, consisting of four nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha⁻¹) and four silicon levels (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg Si ha⁻¹). Results indicated that 120 kg N ha⁻¹ significantly improved plant height, effective tillers per plant, ear head length, spikelets per ear head, test weight, and both grain and straw yields. Likewise, application of 300 kg Si ha⁻¹ produced higher tiller numbers along with increased grain and straw yields. Based on these findings, the combination of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and 300 kg Si ha⁻¹, along with the recommended phosphorus dose of 60 kg ha⁻¹, was found to maximize wheat productivity in loamy sand soils under the North Gujarat agro-climatic conditions.