Effect of Organic Nutrient Sources on Soil Health and Productivity of Wheat Under Rice-wheat System

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2017-18 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P) to evaluate the effect of zincobensulf application on zinc, sulphur availability in soil and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The area situated at a latitude of 290 40’ N and longitude of 770 42’ E with an elevation of 237 m above mean sea level. The soil of experimental field was well drained, sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 8.01). It was low in organic carbon, available nitrogen and zinc, medium in available phosphorus, potassium and sulphur with an electrical conductivity of 0.30 dS m-1. Nine treatments comprising recommended NPK, S, Zn and farmer’s practice were tested in RBD with three replications. The crop was grown with the recommended package and practices for wheat with exception of zinc and sulphur application which was variable. The data on growth, yield and its contributing traits content and uptake of nutrients at harvest stage along with available NPK, S and Zn in soil were estimated as per the standard procedures. The result revealed that growth attributes (plant height, number of tillers) yield attributing traits (panicle length, number of grains per panicle and test weight), yields viz. grains, straw and biological, and content and uptake of NPK, S and Zn in wheat differ significantly among different treatments. The highest values were recorded in the treatment T6 (RDF + Zinco Bensulf @ 45 kg ha-1). From the study it may be concluded that the application of only NPK fertilizers was not capable of exploiting the fullest potential of the Triticum aestivum L. Therefore, in addition of supplementary nutrients like sulphur and zinc is essential to get the higher production and productivity. Thus, the combination of RDF + Zinco Bensulf @ 45 kg ha-1 seems to be more economic and promising for boosting the productivity of wheat. Besides, it also improves the quality of soil in terms of available nutrient status