Abstract
calcium carbide (CaC2 ) for wheat (Triticum aestivum L., var. inqlab 91). CaC2 was applied @ 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha' with and without NPK fertilizers @ 120-90-60 kg na' at three times i.e. sowing, 2 and 4 weeks after sowing. Number of tillers, root dry weight, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and N uptake were significantly increased by the application of CaC2 plus NPK compared to NPK fertilizer alone and control. Results indicated that application of CaC2 @ 60 kg na' seemed appropriate rate as maximum number of tillers, root weight, grain yield and N uptake were obtained by this rate while application of CaC2 two weeks after sowing appeared as best time of application. Results also indicated that CaC2 increased the grain yield by influencing the yield contributing parameters through changing the growth pattern and better acquisition of nutrients, which is a typical characteristic of acetylene/ ethylene released from CaC2. Key words: Wheat, Calcium carbide, Ethylene, Rate and time of application, N uptake
