Effect of temperature variations on growth, dry matter and yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) under Mid Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Uttarakhand is composed, in parts, of the Himalayan mountain ranges having different altitudes and orientations. Wintertime eastward-moving low-pressure synoptic weather systems (western disturbances) are modified by these orographic barriers. Therefore, advance and proper information of maximum and minimum temperature becomes important for assessing natural hazard threats. The trend analysis for both maximum and minimum temperature using 2-year moving averages was done for the period 2003-2012. It shows moving average trends indicate that maximum temperature is decreasing over the period, while little increasing trend was observed in case of minimum temperature during the period 2003-2012. The experiment was conducted in a two factors randomized block design (RBD) with four replications, three dates of sowing and two varieties viz. UP – 1109 and Sonalika (RR-21) recommended for different sowing environments. Seasonal trends of maximum temperature indicate decreasing trend throughout the year, while minimum temperature shows decreasing trend during rainy season whereas during other three seasons the trend was reverse. The maximum temperature during winter seasons was increasing during the first and last pentad. In general the maximum temperature has shown increasing trend during the last pentad in all the four seasons. Temperature play very important role in flowering and maturity of crops as well as quality parameters also.  Due to increasing temperature at the time of vegetative stages, early flowering and maturity has been observed in wheat.