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Effect of Different Doses of Zinc and Vermicompost on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Sandy Loam Soil

S
Suhal Sardar1,*
S
Siddhartha Rathi1
R
Renu Agarwal2
S
Sachin Tyagi1
J
Jayanti Ballabh3
S
Santosh4
R
Rukhsar Saifi5
1School of Agricultural Sciences, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2School of Sciences, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
3School of Agriculture, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun-248 007, Uttarakhand, India.
4Faculty of Agriculture Shri Ram College, Muzaffarnagar (An Autonomous College), Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
5Computer Science and Engineering, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at a world level vital, primitive staple cereal (ranked second after rice) providing essential nutrition to over a billion people. Firstly, used for flour, it contains gluten, which is crucial for bread, pasta and baked goods. India is self-determined in food grain production but with increasing population pressure food grain production as well as quality has to be elongated. Due to increase in cropping density in Indian soil, there is deficiency of primary elements like N, P and K and micronutrients like zinc, which reduces the yield of wheat crop. The deficiency of zinc increase the chlorosis, stunted plant height, reduce the size of leaves, numbers of tillers and  dry matter of plants. Therefore a congestive use of zinc and vermicompost may positively improve the crop performance of wheat crop.

Methods: The experiment evaluate the impact of soil application of various levels of zinc and vermicompost on soil fertility and productivity of wheat in sandy loam soil in the rabi season 2024-25 at the farming land of IIMT University Meerut. Experiment was conducted on wheat variety PBW-303 in randomized block design with the combinations of 9 treatments and 3 replications and the total plots are 27.

Result: The experimental finding exhibited that the treatment T9 where recommended NPK and vermicompost @ 3t ha-1 used with micronutrients mixture @25 kg ha-1 was recorded maximum plant height, number of tillers m-2, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, grain, straw, biological yield and harvest index among all the other treatments.The maximum availability of N (231.44), P (24.29) and K (249.22) kg ha-1 during experimental year was analysed in T4 where 100% RDF was combined with VC @ 3 t ha-1 and it is similar to the treatment T9 where micronutrients mixture @ 25 kg ha-1 was supplied with 100% NPK and VC @ 3 t ha-1. The highest value (2.01ppm) of available zinc was recorded in the treatment T8 where 20 kg Zn ha-1 through ZnSO4 was used with VC.

INTRODUCTION

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second most important food grain crop in India ranking.
       
Beside rice (Oryza sativa L.) In the 2024-25 crop year, Uttar Pradesh is a state of largest wheat production in India with a contribution approximately 35.65 million tonnes. India occupies second position next to china in the world with regard to area 30.96 million hectares and production 117.51 million tonnes in 2025 (PIB 2024-25). The average productivity (yield) of wheat in India is estimated  approximately 35.87 to 35.95 q ha-1 can be possible due to use of high yielding cultivar and best management activities with balanced fertilization in an integrated manner. In India, main wheat growing state are U.P., Punjab, Haryana, M.P., Rajasthan and Bihar (Kumar et al., 2021; Yadav et al., 2024). The injudicious use of fertilizers and less application of organic materials promote the micronutrients deficiency in soil. The micronutrients deficiency in Indian soils is reach to the value of 47% to the zinc, 25% for copper and 13% for manganese hereby, it is the constitutive to apply natural and less dose of inorganic fertilizers for maintaining and sustaining the yield of wheat crop as well as quality of soil. The application of NPK fertilizers are essential for better productivity of wheat crop but continual use of  the fertilizers free from micro elements in cropping pattern  resulting in depletion of micronutrients in soil. Conjugative use of fertilizers with carbonic materials like vermicompost and FYM was recorded more credible for increasing the yield and also valuable in sustaining the quality of wheat for a longer period. The best texture class for the cultivation of wheat crop is loam Zulfiqar et al. (2020). Fine texture soil with good drainage facilities is good for wheat cultivation because wheat cannot tolerate the water logging condition. The application of micronutrient mixture in different doses with NPK fertilizers play an important role in crop nutrition and also improve soil fertility and production of wheat crop (Sharma et al., 2016; Ghasal et al., 2015). Hence the supply of micronutrient are necessary to improve crop productivity when NPK fertilizers are not enough for crop nutrition (Mathpal et al., 2015; Groote et al., 2021). The different research trials are being conducted to understand the need of essential element for wheat crop (Anitha and Kadalli, 2019). The soil application of macronutrients with micronutrients in balancing amount play a dominant role in nutrition and yield of food grain crops (Singh et al., 2024). The yield of high fertilizer responsive cultivar is enhances with the application of micronutrients with NPK fertilizers (Faizan et al., 2021).
       
Zinc help in production of super oxide dismutase and constituent of carbonic anhydrase and alcoholic anhydrase and important in the synthesis of IAA and RNA as well as essential fo water uptake in food grain crops (Farooq et al., 2025). The excess application of major nutrients create a depletion of trace element which responsible for the limiting the yield of crop. Parameters of soil like pH, EC, organic matter, moisture content, texture and structure directly affect the availability and fixation of essential elements in soil. The plant usable zinc in soil is increases with enhance the content of organic matter and clay. Vermicompost is highly nutritive manure with good analytical value of NPK and micronutrients and favourable for increases the solubility of different macro and micronutrients. The current research was carry trough to analyse the effect of recommended NPK, zinc and vermicompost on soil fertility and growth, yields and harvest index of wheat crops in sandy loam soils of western Uttar Pradesh.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The trial of research is implemented at the cultivated area of IIMT University Meerut (U.P.) during rabi season 2024-25. Area received 932 mm average annual rainfall which is 90% of  rain period from July to September. The physio- chemical properties of soil of research area  was sandy loam in texture with a percentage 52.74, 29.6 and 17.6 in sand, silt and clay, respectively, pH 8.25, electrical conductivity 0.485 dSm-1, mineralizable N 192.86 kg ha-1, Olsen-P 14.38 kg ha-1 ammonium acetate extractable K 222.48 kg ha-1  and DTPA extractable zinc 0.78 ppm. The experimental trial is composed of 4 levels of zinc @ 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha-1 and vermicompost @ 1.5 and 3 tha-1 with the conjugation of NPK@120:60:60. The experiment site divided in the combination of 9 treatments with 3 replication in a randomized block design (RBD). The size of plot is 5×4 m-2 with a spacing of line to line is 22.5 cm. Vermicompost was applied in both the doses like 1.5 and 3 t ha-1 at the time of land preparation with the combination of NPK. Treatments combination have a uniform dose of urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), zinc sulphate, micronutrient mixture and vermicompost to provide NPK, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. Treatment T1 used as an control plot where any types of fertilizers was not applied for the comparison with the other plots of experimental site. A full dose of vermicompost and zinc was applied with 60 kg N, 30 kg P and 30 kg K ha-1 as in basal dose at the time of land preparation and sowing. The half dose of nitrogen was used in top dressing at the different growing stages of wheat. Observations of growth parameters were noted at 30, 60 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvesting of crop. Grain, Straw and biological yield and yield attributing characters were recorded plot wise at time of harvesting and after threshing of crop. The yield of net plot thus convert to q ha-1. The observation of  Dry weight of straw collected from net plot was recorded after sun drying for 5-6 days and expressed in qha-1 and the grain yield was recorded in kg per plot. The total biological yield was recorded on dry basis after sun drying from net plots and expressed in qha-1. The observations collected from research trial were statistically analyses by using the analysis of variance techniques (ANOVA) for randomized block design. The data recorded during the course of investigation were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance technique (ANOVA) for randomized block designed as assigned by (Cochran and Cox, 1957). Critical difference and standard error of mean in each cases were analyse at 5% levels of significance. The analysis of available nutrients in soil was carefully completed by using the standard methods in soil testing laboratory of agriculture department IIMT University Meerut (U.P.) India.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The current investigation was conducted during Rabi 2024-25 to evaluate the effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on soil fertility and productivity of wheat in sandy loam soils. The area of study was under the research farm IIMT University Meerut. The observation on different growth stages, tillers number, wheat dry weight, yield contributing characters were recorded and study on soil chemical properties like pH, EC, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and DTPA extractable zinc also done after harvesting of wheat crop.
       
Impact of different doses of zinc and vermicomposting on growth parameters of wheat crop plant height (cm).
       
Data present in the Table 1 indicated that the wheat plant height at various growth stages significantly affected by different treatments combinations. Plant height at 30 DAS ranges from 14.68 to 23.70 cm was noticed in the various plots. The highest value of plant height 23.70 cm was observed in the treatment T9 while minimum plant height 14.68 cm was noticed in the treatment plot T1 control. The treatments from T4 to T8 possess the highest plant height because vermicomposting was applied with NPK and zinc and these treatments also significantly at par with the treatment T9. The lowest rate of plant growth was noticed in the treatment T1 in which no fertilizers was applied. The similar trends in plant height was also observed at 60 DAS and at harvesting of wheat crop. The greatest plant height (49.70 cm) at 60 DAS was observed in the treatment T9 while the lowest plant height 29.56 cm was recorded in the treatment T1 (control). Plant height at 60 DAS in the treatments T5, T6, T7 and T8 also find tallest and followed the plant height like T9. At harvest treatment T9 exhibited the highest plant height 94.20 cm because of application of vermicompost with NPK and micronutrients fertilization. The treatments T6 (89.90), T7 (90.80) and T8 (92.30) also followed the plant height like T9. While the control plot T1 recorded the shortest plant height (68.97 cm) in which any types of manures and fertilizers was not use. The differences in plant height may be due to decomposition of vermicompost release macro and micronutrients with organic acids and growth hormones throughout the life period of wheat crop. Similar finding was observed by Yadav et al. (2024). The application of zinc @10kg ha-1 promote the crop growth and leaf area index. The application of micronutrients have significant impact on physiological and yield attributing characters including numbers of tiller, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and grain yield. Nadim et al., (2012). Similar result also exhibited by Araganji et al., (2026).

Table 1: Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on growth parameters at different stages.


 
Number of tillers (m-2) and dry weight (g m-2)
 
Table 1 data exhibited that the highest number of tillers 500 m-2 was recorded in T9 treatment. Soil application of vermicomposting along with RDF and zinc also improve the number of tillers and followed treatment T9. The performance of number of tillers was improved significantly with increase the level of zinc with vermicompost and NPK fertilizers. Similar results have been noted by Sharma et al. (2008). Dry weight of wheat at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest shown in Table 1. Different combinations of treatments significantly affected dry matter of wheat crop. The highest values of dry weight 59.40, 200.50 and 529.20 g m-2 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS was noted in the treatment T9 respectively. Dry weight of wheat in treatment T7 also shows a good performance and significantly followed the treatment T9. Lowest weight of dry materials 47.65, 118.54 and 226.85 g m-2 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS was observed in the treatment T1 (control). The application of zinc with NPK and vermicomposting meet the requirement of nutrient and paly a main role in increment of straw yield, plant growth and biomass production. Similar finding also exhibited by Singh et al., (2015).

Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicomposting on yield attributes and yield and harvest index of wheat

Yield attributes
 
Data found in Table 2 showed that the maximum length of spike 14.22 cm was recorded in  the T9 treatment which was significantly superior among the all treatments and followed by treatments T8 (13.37 cm), T7 (13.00 cm) and T6 (12.57 cm). Treatment T1 control where no fertilizer was used recorded the lowest spike length with a value of 9.68 cm. The highest panicle length may be due to increased transportation of photosynthates from source to sink due to application of zinc (Jena et al., 2006). Table 2 data noticed that the supreme test weight (43.41 g) of wheat after harvesting was recorded in the treatment T9 where micronutrients mixture@ 25 kg ha-1 was applied with NPK and vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1. The treatment T1 control exhibited lowest test weight (40.31g) due no application of manure and fertilizers plot survive only on natural condition (Gueins et al., 2003) also reported that the soil application of zinc with vermicompost have dominant effect on number of grains, spikes and test weight of wheat crop.

Table 2: Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on yield attributing characters, yields and harvest index of wheat.


 
Grain yield (q ha-1)
 
Table 2 indicated that the zinc application in soil with NPK and vermicompost significantly influence the grain yield of wheat. Treatment T9 was showed the maximum grain yield (47.58 q ha-1) where NPK was used along with micronutrients and vermicompost. The highest increment in grain yield was noticed in the treatment T9 and the lowest value of grain yield was noticed in the treatment T1 control (26.85 q ha-1) in which manures and fertilizers are not used. T8, T7, T6 and T5 treatments significantly followed the T9 treatment with a values of grain yield (45.74 q ha-1), (43.46 q ha-1), (42.58 q ha-1) and (40.86 q ha-1) respectively. The application of micronutrient positively affect the growth and yield parameters like plant height, number of tillers m-2, seed yield, 1000 grain weight, germination percent etc. similar finding also noticed by Shukla et al., (2018). The application of urea fertilizer with FYM and Vermicompost shows the good impact to increases the grain yield according to Akhter et al. (2017). These finding of grain yield also associated with the research by Arumugam et al., (2025).
 
Straw yield (q ha-1)
 
Table 2 data showed that the application of different levels of zinc with vermicompost and NPK recorded higher impact on the straw yield. The straw yield 61.85 qha-1 was noticed highest in the treatment T9 while lowest straw yield (42.68 q ha-1) in T1 control. Treatments T5, T6, T7 and T8 also recorded the good yield and significantly followed the treatment T9. Lowest straw yield in T1 plot may be due to any of fertilizers and manure was not applied. This increment in straw yield due to efficient nutrient management in soil which is very crucial for increases the overall performances of wheat crop. Similar finding was also noticed by Nadim et al., (2012).
 
Biological yield (kg ha-1) and harvest index (%)
 
Table 2 indicated that the best improvement in biological yield (108.40 q ha-1) and harvest index (43.90%) was recoded in T9 treatment in which NPK and mixture of micronutrients was used. The treatments T8, T7 and T6 also exhibited the best increment in biological yield and significantly followed the treatment T9. However, control plot recorded the lowest biological yield (69.53 qha-1) and harvest index (38.62%). Biological yield is the sum of grain and straw yield. Hereby micronutrients application with NPK and vermicompost could be enhanced the grain and straw yield resultant increment in biological yield. This results also similar with the finding of Gill and Walia (2014).
 
Soil properties
 
Data found in Table 3 are exhibited that soil pH was recorded non-significant among the all treatments. The highest pH 8.07 was noticed in the treatment T2 (Recommended NPK) and followed by the treatment T1 (control) with a value of 7.56. The minimum pH 7.05 was noticed in T4 treatment in which NPK was used with vermicomposting. Decrement in soil pH was observed the treatments where inorganic fertilizers was applied with organic materials. Data present in Table 3 recorded that the significant difference in electrical conductivity was noticed in the all treatments combinations. The minimum value of electrical conductivity 0.314 d Sm-1 was observed in T4 and maximum 0.428 d Sm-1 in control. Treatment received vermicompost with micconutrient and NPK recorded lowest electrical conductivity over the control. Treatments received vermicompost with NPK and trace elements reduced the pH and Electrical conductivity of soil similar result also recorded by Prikshit et al., (2025). This effect on pH and EC may be due to release of  organic acids, carbon di oxide, sulphur and calcium during the decomposition of vermicompost which temporarily lower the pH level of soil and also improve the leaching of salts by dissolving soluble salts. The similar finding also reported by Bhatt et al., (2019) and Meena et al. (2018). Data prevailing in Table 3 revealed that the maximum availability of nitrogen 231.44 kg ha-1 was recorded in T4 treatment where RDF was used with organic manure (VC)@3 t ha-1. The lowest available nitrogen 185.89 kg ha-1 was noticed in the treatment T1 control. The control plot is significantly inferior in available nitrogen due to no application of manures and fertilizers. The enhancement in available nitrogen was 19.68% over control. The use of vermicompost in soil increases the content of nitrogen in soil due to mineralization. The similar results also exhibited by Singh et al., (2017) and Reddy et al., (2018). The strongest value of soil available phosphorus 24.29 kg ha-1 among the various treatment combinations was recorded in the treatment T4 because vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 was used with NPK fertilizers. The content of available phosphorus in zinc received treatments are less because the antagonistic effect in between phosphorus and zinc. The lowest value of available phosphorus was recorded in control treatment T1. Fixation of phosphorus in soil may be reduces with the application of vermicompost and FYM. The result are in agreements by Bhatt et al., (2019) and Nayak et al., (2020). The combination of of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers application increases the availability of K in soil. Maximum K availability 249.22 kg ha-1 was observed in the treatment T4 (NPK@ 120:60:60 kg ha-1 + VC@ 3 t ha-1) which was significantly superior among all the other treatment but followed by treatment T8 (241.14 kg ha-1). This effect might be due to degradation of organic matter provided different organic acid and carbon di oxide in soil which responsible for reducing the fixation of potassium in soil due to solubilise effect. These finding also comparable with Kumar et al., (2017) and Nayak et al., (2020). It is clear from the Table 3 that the availability of zinc in soil affected by different treatment combination. The content of DTPA extractable zinc soil at harvesting of crop was significantly affected by zinc and vermicompost application. It is apparent from the data that the highest value of available zinc was noticed in the treatment T8 (2.01 ppm) where zinc was used @ 20 kg ha-1 with NPK and vermicompost and significantly followed by the treatment T7 (1.76 ppm). It became clear from the experimental finding the soil application of zinc in various doses with vermicompost significantly increases the available zinc in soil due to vermicompost supplies organic matter that naturally complexes with zinc, preventing it from binding into insoluble forms, while also lowering soil pH, which drastically improves overall zinc solubility and crop uptake of zinc. Similar finding was also recorded by Keram et al., (2012).

Table 3: Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on soil parameters.

CONCULSION

The research finding shoed that the use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients significantly improved wheat growth, yield and soil fertility. The combined application of recommended fertilizers with vermicompost and zinc enhanced soil nutrient status and crop performance. The soil application of zinc at @ 20 kg ha-1 with vermicompost and NPK improve the content of zinc in soil. Overall, the treatment combining 100% RDF, vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 and micronutrient mixture @ 25 kg ha-1 proved most effective and is recommended for improving wheat productivity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors agree the endorsement provided by the School of Agricultural Sciences, IIMT University Meerut.
 
Disclaimer
 
The views provided in research manuscript are purely originated by authors and not shoed the opinions of their affiliated institutions. The authors are fully responsible for the he information given in article. 
 
Informed consent
 
Not applicable, as this study did not involve human or animal subjects.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The research manuscript of authors are not involve in any conflict of interest.

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    Full Research Article

    Effect of Different Doses of Zinc and Vermicompost on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Sandy Loam Soil

    S
    Suhal Sardar1,*
    S
    Siddhartha Rathi1
    R
    Renu Agarwal2
    S
    Sachin Tyagi1
    J
    Jayanti Ballabh3
    S
    Santosh4
    R
    Rukhsar Saifi5
    1School of Agricultural Sciences, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
    2School of Sciences, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
    3School of Agriculture, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun-248 007, Uttarakhand, India.
    4Faculty of Agriculture Shri Ram College, Muzaffarnagar (An Autonomous College), Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
    5Computer Science and Engineering, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

    ABSTRACT

    Background: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at a world level vital, primitive staple cereal (ranked second after rice) providing essential nutrition to over a billion people. Firstly, used for flour, it contains gluten, which is crucial for bread, pasta and baked goods. India is self-determined in food grain production but with increasing population pressure food grain production as well as quality has to be elongated. Due to increase in cropping density in Indian soil, there is deficiency of primary elements like N, P and K and micronutrients like zinc, which reduces the yield of wheat crop. The deficiency of zinc increase the chlorosis, stunted plant height, reduce the size of leaves, numbers of tillers and  dry matter of plants. Therefore a congestive use of zinc and vermicompost may positively improve the crop performance of wheat crop.

    Methods: The experiment evaluate the impact of soil application of various levels of zinc and vermicompost on soil fertility and productivity of wheat in sandy loam soil in the rabi season 2024-25 at the farming land of IIMT University Meerut. Experiment was conducted on wheat variety PBW-303 in randomized block design with the combinations of 9 treatments and 3 replications and the total plots are 27.

    Result: The experimental finding exhibited that the treatment T9 where recommended NPK and vermicompost @ 3t ha-1 used with micronutrients mixture @25 kg ha-1 was recorded maximum plant height, number of tillers m-2, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, grain, straw, biological yield and harvest index among all the other treatments.The maximum availability of N (231.44), P (24.29) and K (249.22) kg ha-1 during experimental year was analysed in T4 where 100% RDF was combined with VC @ 3 t ha-1 and it is similar to the treatment T9 where micronutrients mixture @ 25 kg ha-1 was supplied with 100% NPK and VC @ 3 t ha-1. The highest value (2.01ppm) of available zinc was recorded in the treatment T8 where 20 kg Zn ha-1 through ZnSO4 was used with VC.

    INTRODUCTION

    Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second most important food grain crop in India ranking.
           
    Beside rice (Oryza sativa L.) In the 2024-25 crop year, Uttar Pradesh is a state of largest wheat production in India with a contribution approximately 35.65 million tonnes. India occupies second position next to china in the world with regard to area 30.96 million hectares and production 117.51 million tonnes in 2025 (PIB 2024-25). The average productivity (yield) of wheat in India is estimated  approximately 35.87 to 35.95 q ha-1 can be possible due to use of high yielding cultivar and best management activities with balanced fertilization in an integrated manner. In India, main wheat growing state are U.P., Punjab, Haryana, M.P., Rajasthan and Bihar (Kumar et al., 2021; Yadav et al., 2024). The injudicious use of fertilizers and less application of organic materials promote the micronutrients deficiency in soil. The micronutrients deficiency in Indian soils is reach to the value of 47% to the zinc, 25% for copper and 13% for manganese hereby, it is the constitutive to apply natural and less dose of inorganic fertilizers for maintaining and sustaining the yield of wheat crop as well as quality of soil. The application of NPK fertilizers are essential for better productivity of wheat crop but continual use of  the fertilizers free from micro elements in cropping pattern  resulting in depletion of micronutrients in soil. Conjugative use of fertilizers with carbonic materials like vermicompost and FYM was recorded more credible for increasing the yield and also valuable in sustaining the quality of wheat for a longer period. The best texture class for the cultivation of wheat crop is loam Zulfiqar et al. (2020). Fine texture soil with good drainage facilities is good for wheat cultivation because wheat cannot tolerate the water logging condition. The application of micronutrient mixture in different doses with NPK fertilizers play an important role in crop nutrition and also improve soil fertility and production of wheat crop (Sharma et al., 2016; Ghasal et al., 2015). Hence the supply of micronutrient are necessary to improve crop productivity when NPK fertilizers are not enough for crop nutrition (Mathpal et al., 2015; Groote et al., 2021). The different research trials are being conducted to understand the need of essential element for wheat crop (Anitha and Kadalli, 2019). The soil application of macronutrients with micronutrients in balancing amount play a dominant role in nutrition and yield of food grain crops (Singh et al., 2024). The yield of high fertilizer responsive cultivar is enhances with the application of micronutrients with NPK fertilizers (Faizan et al., 2021).
           
    Zinc help in production of super oxide dismutase and constituent of carbonic anhydrase and alcoholic anhydrase and important in the synthesis of IAA and RNA as well as essential fo water uptake in food grain crops (Farooq et al., 2025). The excess application of major nutrients create a depletion of trace element which responsible for the limiting the yield of crop. Parameters of soil like pH, EC, organic matter, moisture content, texture and structure directly affect the availability and fixation of essential elements in soil. The plant usable zinc in soil is increases with enhance the content of organic matter and clay. Vermicompost is highly nutritive manure with good analytical value of NPK and micronutrients and favourable for increases the solubility of different macro and micronutrients. The current research was carry trough to analyse the effect of recommended NPK, zinc and vermicompost on soil fertility and growth, yields and harvest index of wheat crops in sandy loam soils of western Uttar Pradesh.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    The trial of research is implemented at the cultivated area of IIMT University Meerut (U.P.) during rabi season 2024-25. Area received 932 mm average annual rainfall which is 90% of  rain period from July to September. The physio- chemical properties of soil of research area  was sandy loam in texture with a percentage 52.74, 29.6 and 17.6 in sand, silt and clay, respectively, pH 8.25, electrical conductivity 0.485 dSm-1, mineralizable N 192.86 kg ha-1, Olsen-P 14.38 kg ha-1 ammonium acetate extractable K 222.48 kg ha-1  and DTPA extractable zinc 0.78 ppm. The experimental trial is composed of 4 levels of zinc @ 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha-1 and vermicompost @ 1.5 and 3 tha-1 with the conjugation of NPK@120:60:60. The experiment site divided in the combination of 9 treatments with 3 replication in a randomized block design (RBD). The size of plot is 5×4 m-2 with a spacing of line to line is 22.5 cm. Vermicompost was applied in both the doses like 1.5 and 3 t ha-1 at the time of land preparation with the combination of NPK. Treatments combination have a uniform dose of urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), zinc sulphate, micronutrient mixture and vermicompost to provide NPK, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. Treatment T1 used as an control plot where any types of fertilizers was not applied for the comparison with the other plots of experimental site. A full dose of vermicompost and zinc was applied with 60 kg N, 30 kg P and 30 kg K ha-1 as in basal dose at the time of land preparation and sowing. The half dose of nitrogen was used in top dressing at the different growing stages of wheat. Observations of growth parameters were noted at 30, 60 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvesting of crop. Grain, Straw and biological yield and yield attributing characters were recorded plot wise at time of harvesting and after threshing of crop. The yield of net plot thus convert to q ha-1. The observation of  Dry weight of straw collected from net plot was recorded after sun drying for 5-6 days and expressed in qha-1 and the grain yield was recorded in kg per plot. The total biological yield was recorded on dry basis after sun drying from net plots and expressed in qha-1. The observations collected from research trial were statistically analyses by using the analysis of variance techniques (ANOVA) for randomized block design. The data recorded during the course of investigation were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance technique (ANOVA) for randomized block designed as assigned by (Cochran and Cox, 1957). Critical difference and standard error of mean in each cases were analyse at 5% levels of significance. The analysis of available nutrients in soil was carefully completed by using the standard methods in soil testing laboratory of agriculture department IIMT University Meerut (U.P.) India.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

    The current investigation was conducted during Rabi 2024-25 to evaluate the effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on soil fertility and productivity of wheat in sandy loam soils. The area of study was under the research farm IIMT University Meerut. The observation on different growth stages, tillers number, wheat dry weight, yield contributing characters were recorded and study on soil chemical properties like pH, EC, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and DTPA extractable zinc also done after harvesting of wheat crop.
           
    Impact of different doses of zinc and vermicomposting on growth parameters of wheat crop plant height (cm).
           
    Data present in the Table 1 indicated that the wheat plant height at various growth stages significantly affected by different treatments combinations. Plant height at 30 DAS ranges from 14.68 to 23.70 cm was noticed in the various plots. The highest value of plant height 23.70 cm was observed in the treatment T9 while minimum plant height 14.68 cm was noticed in the treatment plot T1 control. The treatments from T4 to T8 possess the highest plant height because vermicomposting was applied with NPK and zinc and these treatments also significantly at par with the treatment T9. The lowest rate of plant growth was noticed in the treatment T1 in which no fertilizers was applied. The similar trends in plant height was also observed at 60 DAS and at harvesting of wheat crop. The greatest plant height (49.70 cm) at 60 DAS was observed in the treatment T9 while the lowest plant height 29.56 cm was recorded in the treatment T1 (control). Plant height at 60 DAS in the treatments T5, T6, T7 and T8 also find tallest and followed the plant height like T9. At harvest treatment T9 exhibited the highest plant height 94.20 cm because of application of vermicompost with NPK and micronutrients fertilization. The treatments T6 (89.90), T7 (90.80) and T8 (92.30) also followed the plant height like T9. While the control plot T1 recorded the shortest plant height (68.97 cm) in which any types of manures and fertilizers was not use. The differences in plant height may be due to decomposition of vermicompost release macro and micronutrients with organic acids and growth hormones throughout the life period of wheat crop. Similar finding was observed by Yadav et al. (2024). The application of zinc @10kg ha-1 promote the crop growth and leaf area index. The application of micronutrients have significant impact on physiological and yield attributing characters including numbers of tiller, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and grain yield. Nadim et al., (2012). Similar result also exhibited by Araganji et al., (2026).

    Table 1: Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on growth parameters at different stages.


     
    Number of tillers (m-2) and dry weight (g m-2)
     
    Table 1 data exhibited that the highest number of tillers 500 m-2 was recorded in T9 treatment. Soil application of vermicomposting along with RDF and zinc also improve the number of tillers and followed treatment T9. The performance of number of tillers was improved significantly with increase the level of zinc with vermicompost and NPK fertilizers. Similar results have been noted by Sharma et al. (2008). Dry weight of wheat at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest shown in Table 1. Different combinations of treatments significantly affected dry matter of wheat crop. The highest values of dry weight 59.40, 200.50 and 529.20 g m-2 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS was noted in the treatment T9 respectively. Dry weight of wheat in treatment T7 also shows a good performance and significantly followed the treatment T9. Lowest weight of dry materials 47.65, 118.54 and 226.85 g m-2 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS was observed in the treatment T1 (control). The application of zinc with NPK and vermicomposting meet the requirement of nutrient and paly a main role in increment of straw yield, plant growth and biomass production. Similar finding also exhibited by Singh et al., (2015).

    Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicomposting on yield attributes and yield and harvest index of wheat

    Yield attributes
     
    Data found in Table 2 showed that the maximum length of spike 14.22 cm was recorded in  the T9 treatment which was significantly superior among the all treatments and followed by treatments T8 (13.37 cm), T7 (13.00 cm) and T6 (12.57 cm). Treatment T1 control where no fertilizer was used recorded the lowest spike length with a value of 9.68 cm. The highest panicle length may be due to increased transportation of photosynthates from source to sink due to application of zinc (Jena et al., 2006). Table 2 data noticed that the supreme test weight (43.41 g) of wheat after harvesting was recorded in the treatment T9 where micronutrients mixture@ 25 kg ha-1 was applied with NPK and vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1. The treatment T1 control exhibited lowest test weight (40.31g) due no application of manure and fertilizers plot survive only on natural condition (Gueins et al., 2003) also reported that the soil application of zinc with vermicompost have dominant effect on number of grains, spikes and test weight of wheat crop.

    Table 2: Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on yield attributing characters, yields and harvest index of wheat.


     
    Grain yield (q ha-1)
     
    Table 2 indicated that the zinc application in soil with NPK and vermicompost significantly influence the grain yield of wheat. Treatment T9 was showed the maximum grain yield (47.58 q ha-1) where NPK was used along with micronutrients and vermicompost. The highest increment in grain yield was noticed in the treatment T9 and the lowest value of grain yield was noticed in the treatment T1 control (26.85 q ha-1) in which manures and fertilizers are not used. T8, T7, T6 and T5 treatments significantly followed the T9 treatment with a values of grain yield (45.74 q ha-1), (43.46 q ha-1), (42.58 q ha-1) and (40.86 q ha-1) respectively. The application of micronutrient positively affect the growth and yield parameters like plant height, number of tillers m-2, seed yield, 1000 grain weight, germination percent etc. similar finding also noticed by Shukla et al., (2018). The application of urea fertilizer with FYM and Vermicompost shows the good impact to increases the grain yield according to Akhter et al. (2017). These finding of grain yield also associated with the research by Arumugam et al., (2025).
     
    Straw yield (q ha-1)
     
    Table 2 data showed that the application of different levels of zinc with vermicompost and NPK recorded higher impact on the straw yield. The straw yield 61.85 qha-1 was noticed highest in the treatment T9 while lowest straw yield (42.68 q ha-1) in T1 control. Treatments T5, T6, T7 and T8 also recorded the good yield and significantly followed the treatment T9. Lowest straw yield in T1 plot may be due to any of fertilizers and manure was not applied. This increment in straw yield due to efficient nutrient management in soil which is very crucial for increases the overall performances of wheat crop. Similar finding was also noticed by Nadim et al., (2012).
     
    Biological yield (kg ha-1) and harvest index (%)
     
    Table 2 indicated that the best improvement in biological yield (108.40 q ha-1) and harvest index (43.90%) was recoded in T9 treatment in which NPK and mixture of micronutrients was used. The treatments T8, T7 and T6 also exhibited the best increment in biological yield and significantly followed the treatment T9. However, control plot recorded the lowest biological yield (69.53 qha-1) and harvest index (38.62%). Biological yield is the sum of grain and straw yield. Hereby micronutrients application with NPK and vermicompost could be enhanced the grain and straw yield resultant increment in biological yield. This results also similar with the finding of Gill and Walia (2014).
     
    Soil properties
     
    Data found in Table 3 are exhibited that soil pH was recorded non-significant among the all treatments. The highest pH 8.07 was noticed in the treatment T2 (Recommended NPK) and followed by the treatment T1 (control) with a value of 7.56. The minimum pH 7.05 was noticed in T4 treatment in which NPK was used with vermicomposting. Decrement in soil pH was observed the treatments where inorganic fertilizers was applied with organic materials. Data present in Table 3 recorded that the significant difference in electrical conductivity was noticed in the all treatments combinations. The minimum value of electrical conductivity 0.314 d Sm-1 was observed in T4 and maximum 0.428 d Sm-1 in control. Treatment received vermicompost with micconutrient and NPK recorded lowest electrical conductivity over the control. Treatments received vermicompost with NPK and trace elements reduced the pH and Electrical conductivity of soil similar result also recorded by Prikshit et al., (2025). This effect on pH and EC may be due to release of  organic acids, carbon di oxide, sulphur and calcium during the decomposition of vermicompost which temporarily lower the pH level of soil and also improve the leaching of salts by dissolving soluble salts. The similar finding also reported by Bhatt et al., (2019) and Meena et al. (2018). Data prevailing in Table 3 revealed that the maximum availability of nitrogen 231.44 kg ha-1 was recorded in T4 treatment where RDF was used with organic manure (VC)@3 t ha-1. The lowest available nitrogen 185.89 kg ha-1 was noticed in the treatment T1 control. The control plot is significantly inferior in available nitrogen due to no application of manures and fertilizers. The enhancement in available nitrogen was 19.68% over control. The use of vermicompost in soil increases the content of nitrogen in soil due to mineralization. The similar results also exhibited by Singh et al., (2017) and Reddy et al., (2018). The strongest value of soil available phosphorus 24.29 kg ha-1 among the various treatment combinations was recorded in the treatment T4 because vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 was used with NPK fertilizers. The content of available phosphorus in zinc received treatments are less because the antagonistic effect in between phosphorus and zinc. The lowest value of available phosphorus was recorded in control treatment T1. Fixation of phosphorus in soil may be reduces with the application of vermicompost and FYM. The result are in agreements by Bhatt et al., (2019) and Nayak et al., (2020). The combination of of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers application increases the availability of K in soil. Maximum K availability 249.22 kg ha-1 was observed in the treatment T4 (NPK@ 120:60:60 kg ha-1 + VC@ 3 t ha-1) which was significantly superior among all the other treatment but followed by treatment T8 (241.14 kg ha-1). This effect might be due to degradation of organic matter provided different organic acid and carbon di oxide in soil which responsible for reducing the fixation of potassium in soil due to solubilise effect. These finding also comparable with Kumar et al., (2017) and Nayak et al., (2020). It is clear from the Table 3 that the availability of zinc in soil affected by different treatment combination. The content of DTPA extractable zinc soil at harvesting of crop was significantly affected by zinc and vermicompost application. It is apparent from the data that the highest value of available zinc was noticed in the treatment T8 (2.01 ppm) where zinc was used @ 20 kg ha-1 with NPK and vermicompost and significantly followed by the treatment T7 (1.76 ppm). It became clear from the experimental finding the soil application of zinc in various doses with vermicompost significantly increases the available zinc in soil due to vermicompost supplies organic matter that naturally complexes with zinc, preventing it from binding into insoluble forms, while also lowering soil pH, which drastically improves overall zinc solubility and crop uptake of zinc. Similar finding was also recorded by Keram et al., (2012).

    Table 3: Effect of different doses of zinc and vermicompost on soil parameters.

    CONCULSION

    The research finding shoed that the use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients significantly improved wheat growth, yield and soil fertility. The combined application of recommended fertilizers with vermicompost and zinc enhanced soil nutrient status and crop performance. The soil application of zinc at @ 20 kg ha-1 with vermicompost and NPK improve the content of zinc in soil. Overall, the treatment combining 100% RDF, vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 and micronutrient mixture @ 25 kg ha-1 proved most effective and is recommended for improving wheat productivity.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    The authors agree the endorsement provided by the School of Agricultural Sciences, IIMT University Meerut.
     
    Disclaimer
     
    The views provided in research manuscript are purely originated by authors and not shoed the opinions of their affiliated institutions. The authors are fully responsible for the he information given in article. 
     
    Informed consent
     
    Not applicable, as this study did not involve human or animal subjects.

    CONFLICT OF INTEREST

    The research manuscript of authors are not involve in any conflict of interest.

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