Enhancing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield and quality by managing lodging with growth regulators under different nutrition levels

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different nutrient levels [No nutrients absolute control, RDF (recommended dose of fertilizer) (N:P:K 150:26.22), 150%RDF (225:39.33), 150%RDF + FYM (Farm Yard Manure) (225:39:33 + 15 t ha−1), & 200%RDF (300:52.44 NPK kg ha−1) and application of growth regulators, i.e., water spray, CCC (chlormequat chloride) 0.2%, tebuconazole (0.1%), and tank-mixed application of chlormequat chloride + tebuconazole at first node and flag leaf stage on growth, lodging, yield, and quality of wheat with three replications. Application of 150%RDF + FYM and 200%RDF recorded significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, and tiller density. Lodging percent and score recorded in 150%RDF + FYM was similar to 200%RDF, but sіgnіfіcаntly higher than оthеr levels. The application of chlormequat chloride + tebuconazole recorded the lowest plant height, lodging percent and lodging score. Application of chlormequat chloride + tebuconazole recorded higher 1000-grain weight and grain yield than control, chlormequat chloride, and tebuconazole. In RDF (N:P:K 150:26.22), exogenous application of chlormequat chloride alone was sufficient to reduce lodging. However, at higher nutrient level of 150%RDF or 150%RDF + FYM, both chlormequat chloride + tebuconazole were most promising for reducing lodging and enhancing the wheat productivity.