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Full Research Article

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nitrogen on Growth, Yield, Quality and Soil Properties of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Reddycherla Venkat Sriram Raju1, Kangujam Bokado1,*, Barkha1, Sushant S. Patil1, Heisnam Sobhana Devi1, Khaidem Jackson2
1Department of Agronomy, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144 411, Punjab, India.
2Department of Soil Science, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144 411, Punjab, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: The concept of combined use of both organic and inorganic fertilizer should be followed to prevent severe health hazards and to protect the environment. The combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers is an effective way to maintain nutrient supply, gives organic carbon to soil microbes and mobilizes soil-bound nutrients on decomposition through the release of organic acid. Combined use refers to combining all available nutrient sources, such as organic and inorganic sources with components in a prudent manner to create an environment that is both environmentally sound and economically ideal for farming.

Methods: The experiment was conducted at the research farm of the School of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab) during rabi season in the year 2021-2022. The objective of the study was to evaluate the "Effect of organic and inorganic source of nitrogen on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)". Data recorded on different aspects of crop, viz., growth, yield attributes, yield, quality as well as soil chemical properties were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis.

Result: Among various treatments 25% RDN with vermicompost + 75% RDN from inorganic fertilizers showed a significant impact on the growth and yield parameters of wheat crop. Significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height, number of tillers m-2, dry matter and relative growth rate were observed in T12 (25% RDN with vermicompost + 75% RDN from inorganic fertilizers) of crop. It was also showed higher significant impact on yield attributes i.e., number of effective tillers-2, grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, quality parameters as well as soil parameter like available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in T12 (25% RDN with vermicompost + 75% RDN from inorganic fertilizers).

INTRODUCTION

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ranks second among major cereal crops next to rice belongs to Poaceae family. Wheat is a major agronomic crop which is well known for making flour, pasta, pastry, semolina, flake, chapatti, cookies, etc. It is one of the major sources of energy as it all alone contributes about 20 per cent of total food calories required for human diet (Ram and Kaur, 2024). It is originated in South Western Asia. It has a global annual production of 756.40 million metric tons from 240 million hectares of land (Ashik et al., 2023). India is the second largest producer of wheat in the world. Wheat is grown in India on 33.61 m ha and produces of 106.21mt with national average yield of 3160 kg ha-1 during 2019-20 (Anonymous, 2020). It accounts for approximately 12% of world¢s wheat production and the second largest wheat consumer after China. It is one of the chief sources of diet by providing half of the dietary protein and more than half of the calories to the rising population of India. As a consequence, scientists are always focusing to produce higher yields to feed the nation (Khan et al., 2015). Wheat contains significant amount of protein which constitutes about 12-14%. Apart from protein, whole wheat is also rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Wheat grains are comparatively better source of protein consumed in India.
       
Wheat is a highly nutrient consuming crop and it requires substantial amount of nutrients for higher productivity. Nitrogen is a costly input and a major share of it is used for cereal cultivation. The cost of nitrogen fertilizers is increasing day by day. Nitrogen is an indispensable element for optimum functioning of crops. Despite the fact that inorganic fertilizers were resulted in better yield of crop, over dependence on them associated with declined soil properties and degraded soils which in turn decreases yield in subsequent period. Intensive use of inorganic and agrochemical fertilizers leads to the significant decline of soil health and fertility. So, the major strategies that need to be adapted is maintaining soil health and restoring degraded agricultural land (Kumar et al., 2023). Use of organic manures like farm yard manure (FYM), goat manure, poultry litter, etc., for crop production might be a substitute of the chemical fertilizers. Organic manure increases the nutrient use efficiency and reduces the environmental pollution due to fertilizers. Use of organic manure and organic waste was also found good for crop production. The main disadvantage of using organic fertilizer is that it doesn’t contain significant quantities of primary nutrients which are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Manure based fertilizer relying on other beneficial micro-organisms as they slowly convert to nitrogen and feed the plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During the 2021-2022 rabi season, the field trial was conducted at Research Farm of Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) consist of 12 treatments which was replicated thrice. The treatments were T1: 100% Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) from farm yard manure, T2: 75% RDN from farm yard manure + 25% from inorganic fertilizer, T3: 50% RDN from farm yard manure + 50% from inorganic fertilizer, T4: 25% from farm yard manure + 75% from inorganic fertilizer, T5: 100% RDN from enriched compost, T6: 75% RDN from enriched compost + 25% from inorganic fertilizer, T7: 50% RDN from enriched compost + 50% from inorganic, T8: 25% RDN from enriched compost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer, T9: 100% from vermicompost, T10: 75% RDN from vermicompost + 25% from inorganic fertilizer,  T11: 50% RDN from vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer and T12: 25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer. The source of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer is urea. Data recorded on different aspects of crop, viz., growth, yield attributes, yield, quality as soil chemical properties were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis as per Gomez and Gomez, 1984. Relative growth rate was described by Blackman, (1919) and it was calculated by the equation:
 
           
   
Where:
W1 = Initial dry weight of plant (g).
W2 = Final dry weight of plant (g).
t1 = Initial time period.
t2 = Final time period.

It is also called efficiency index (y) and can be expressed in g g-1 day-1.
       
Harvest index was obtained by formula given by Donald and Hamblin, 1962.
 
 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Growth attributes
 
Plant height
 
A perusal of the Table 1 reveals that highest plant height of 88.6 (cm) were recorded in treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer), whereas treatment T8 (25% RDN from Enriched compost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) and T11 (50% RDN from vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer) were found to be statistically at par to the treatment T12 whereas the lowest height of 83.5 (cm) were observed in treatment T1 (100% RDN from Farm yard manure). Thus, the application of 75% of the prescribed fertilizer dose and the addition of vermicompost led to an increase in plant height. The outcomes were also in agreement with those of Kumar et al., (2017) and Hadis et al., (2018).
 

Table 1: Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).


 
Number of tillers (m-2)
 
The highest number of tillers m-2 of 410.4 was recorded in treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) which was found to be statistically at par to treatment T8 (25% RDN from Enriched compost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) while the lowest number of tillers m-2 of 401.3 were observed in treatment T1 (100% RDN from farm yard manure). Sufficient nitrogen availability has a stimulatory effect on wheat tillering, resulting in a greater number of productive tillers. This can be achieved through the production of cytokines and the quick conversion of synthesized carbohydrates, which causes rapid multiplication and an increase in the size and number of growing cells. The outcomes are consistent with observations of (Patel et al., 2018).
 
Dry weight
 
It was evident from the Table 1 that the highest dry weight of 70.2 g plant-1 was recorded in treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) which was found to be statistically at par to treatment T8 (25% RDN from Enriched compost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) and the lowest dry weight of 67.3 (g plant-1) was observed in treatment T1 (100% RDN from farm yard manure). When nutrients, particularly nitrogen, are more easily accessible to crops, there is an increased transfer of photosynthates from source to sink. As a result of the accumulation of photosynthates in various plant parts, the wheat crop produces more dry matter. Increased dry weight may be a result of applying the necessary amount of fertilizers in both organic and inorganic forms. The results reported correspond with Patel et al., 2018; Singh et al., 2017.
 
Relative growth rate (g-1g-1day-1)
 
The treatment of T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer recorded highest relative growth rate of (0.007 g-1m2 day-1) as shown in Table 1. The larger canopy development and plant height caused by the application of a higher dose of integrated nutrient management may have increased solar energy interception, absorption and utilization. This, in turn, increased overall growth, photosynthesis and finally the accumulation of dry matter plant-1, which increased the relative growth rate (Choudhary et al., 2017).
 
Yield attributes
 
Number of effective tillers (m-2)
 
The treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) recorded significantly maximum number of effective tillers m-2 i.e. 312.6 which was found to be statistically at par to the treatment T11 (50% RDN from vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer) and the treatment T1 (100% RDN from farm yard manure) recorded lowest number of effective tillers running row metre-1 i.e. 234.7 as shown in Table 2. With the generation of cytokines and the quick conversion of produced carbohydrates, it results in rapid multiplication and an increase in the size and number of developing cells. This in turn leads to a sufficient supply of nitrogen which accelerates wheat tillering and produces more productive tillers m-2. These findings have been reported by Reddy et al., (2018); Fazily et al., (2021); Singh et al., (2017).
 

Table 2: Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).


 
Number of grains spike-1
 
The perusal of the Table 2 shows that the treatment T12 (25% RDN from Vermicompost+ 75% from inorganic fertilizer) recorded significantly maximum number of grains spike-1 of 43.7 which was found to be statistically at par to the treatment T11 (50% RDN from Vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer) while the treatment T1 (100% RDN from Farm yard manure) recorded lowest number of grains spike-1 of 40.0. By integrating organic manure with chemical fertilizers, crops were better able to absorb essential nutrients including N, P and K. The physical characteristics of the soil and plant growth hormones were also improved. Similar results were found by Singh et al., (2017); Reddy et al., (2018); Fazily et al., (2021).
 
Test weight (g)
 
It was evident from the Table 2 that the treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) recorded significantly maximum test weight of 44.6 g which was found to be statistically at par to the treatment T11 (50% RDN from vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer) whereas the treatment T1 (100% RDN from Farm yard manure) recorded lowest test weight of 41.1 g. Reddy et al., (2018) and Fazily et al., (2021) also reported similar outcomes.
 
Grain yield (q ha-1)
 
The treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) recorded significantly maximum grain yield (56.2 q ha-1) which was found to be statistically at par to the treatment T11 (50% RDN from vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer) while the treatment (T1: 100% RDN from Farm yard manure) recorded lowest grain yield (36.7 q ha-1) as shown in Table 2. This might be due to the increase in yield attributes. Singh et al., (2017); Reddy et al., (2018); Fazily et al., (2021) also reported the increase in grain and stover yields of wheat with integrated use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures.
 
Stover yield (q ha-1)
 
The treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) recorded significantly maximum stover yield of (71.0 q ha-1) which was found to be statistically at par to the treatment T11 (50% RDN from vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer) was and the treatment T1 (100% RDN from Farm yard manure) recorded lowest stover yield (66.0 q ha-1) as shown in Table 2. Increased photosynthates and nutrient availability to the crop’s developing reproductive structures boosted all yield-related traits, which eventually raised wheat’s final output. Singh et al., (2017), Reddy et al., (2018) and Fazily et al., (2021) discovered similar outcomes.
 
Harvest index (%)
 
The treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) recorded significantly maximum harvest index (%) i.e., 44.2 which was found to be statistically at par to the treatment T11 (50% RDN from vermicompost + 50% from inorganic fertilizer) and the treatment T1 (100% RDN from Farm yard manure) recorded lowest harvest Index (%) i.e., 35.7 as shown in Table 2. The similar findings were obtained by Singh et al., (2017), Patel et al., (2018), Reddy et al., (2018); Fazily et al., (2021).
 
Qualitative observations
 
Protein content and carbohydrate content (%)
 
It was evident from the Table 3 that the treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) recorded significantly maximum protein content and carbohydrate content of 12.23% and 68.98% respectively as compared to the other treatments as shown in Table 3. The elevated amounts of protein and carbohydrates may be the result of enhanced nutrient absorption brought about by improved nutrient availability in the soil following the application of vermicompost and 75% RDF. Choudhary et al., (2005) provided comparable results.
 

Table 3: Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on quality parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as well as soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.


 
Soil properties
 
Available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil (kg ha-1)
 
The perusal of the Table 3 shows that the maximum available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil (kg ha-1) was recorded in the treatment T12 (25% RDN from vermicompost + 75% from inorganic fertilizer) which were found to be significantly highest (153.6, 24.3 and 149.7 respectively). Significantly lowest available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil (kg ha-1) was observed treatment T1: 100% RDN from farm yard manure (146.9, 16.7 and 136.0 respectively). Thind et al., 2007 also showed increased available N and P with the conjoint use of inorganic and organic fertilizers. According to Kumar et al., (2007) the addition of inorganic, organic manure and biofertilizer treatments enhanced the amount of K build up in the soil; however, the value of these treatments diminished when fertilizer K, organics and biofertilizers were not applied.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that growth parameters increased with the increase in inorganic fertilizer doses. Application of 25% RDN from vermicompost and 75% from inorganic fertilizer directly influence the growth and development of wheat. Different parameters such as plant height, number of tillers m-2, dry weight, relative growth rate, number of effective tillers m-2, number of grains spike-1, grain yield, stover yield, harvest index, protein content, carbohydrate content, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil were found maximum in of 25% RDN from vermicompost and 75% from inorganic fertilizer. So, the combined application of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer leads to the better growth, yield and quality of wheat as well as the soil chemical properties.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All the authors acknowledge and thank Lovely Professional University for their guidance and support.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

REFERENCES


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