Comparative Evaluation of Wheat Varieties Across Different Locations for Growth, Productivity and Economic Viability in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India
Makhan Singh Karada *
Department of Forestry, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur – 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India and People’s Action for National Integration (PANI), Civil Line Ayodhya – 224001, India.
Riya Mishra
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, 474002, India.
Dheer Agnihotri
Silviculture, Forest Management and Agroforestry Division, Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur – 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Niraj Kumar Yadav
Genetics and Tree Improvement Division, Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Sanjay Singh Jatav
Department of Forestry, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur – 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Komal Bhatt
Department of Forestry, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur – 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Arjun Kumar
Department of Forestry, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur – 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a vital cereal crop that plays a key role in ensuring food and nutritional security in India, particularly across the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Despite its importance, wheat productivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh remains below potential due to diverse agro-climatic constraints and limited adoption of advanced cultivation practices. To address this, a field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 across three locations in Siddharth Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh- Bansi (L1), Barhni (L2) and Itwa (L3) to assess the performance of four wheat varieties: DBW-303 (V1), DW-187 (V2), HD-2967 (V3) and Shri Ram-303 (V4). The experiment followed a two factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications under zero-tillage conditions. Results indicated both location and variety had significant effects on growth parameters, yield attributes and grain yield. Among the locations, Itwa (L3) exhibited superior performance with the highest number of effective tillers per m2 (393.92), grains per plant (51.50), test weight (41.72 g) and grain yield (45.89 q ha-1). Conversely, Barhni (L2) produced the tallest plants (93.58 cm). among the tested varieties, Shri Ram 303 (V4) recorded the highest number of effective tillers (402.56 m-2), grains per plant (53.11) and grain yield (45.91 q ha-1), followed closely by DBW-187 (V2) with 45.55 q ha-1. Economic evaluation revealed that Itwa (L3) achieved the highest net return (Rs. 70,750 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.75), while varietal performance highlighted maximum profitability with DBW-187 (V2; B:C ratio 2.73) and Shri Ram-303 (V4; B:C ratio 2.72). The interaction effect between location and variety (L × V) was found to be non-significant for all studied parameters, suggesting consistent varietal performance across different environments. Overall, the findings suggest that the Itwa block, along with the varieties Shri Ram-303 and DBW-187, are most suitable for achieving higher wheat productivity and profitability under the agro-climatic conditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Keywords: Economic analysis, grain yield, growth attributes, variety evaluation, wheat