Comparative Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal crop whose productivity depends substantially on balanced and efficient nutrient management. Integrating organic nutrient sources, biofertilisers and inorganic fertilisers may improve nutrient availability, crop performance and the sustainability of wheat production. A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive rabi seasons (2024–25 and 2025–26) at the Agricultural Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India, to evaluate the comparative effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with twelve nutrient-management treatments comprising a control (no fertiliser or manure), 100% of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), 75% RDF and different combinations of RDF with vermicompost, farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) and Azotobacter. The results showed that integrated nutrient management significantly enhanced crop growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yields, and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake compared with the control and fertiliser-only treatments. Among all treatments, 75% RDF + 1.25 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost + 20 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ + 5 kg Azotobacter ha⁻¹ (T₁₁) recorded the highest plant height, number of tillers per metre of row length, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield and nutrient uptake during both years of experimentation. The superior performance of this treatment was attributed to the balanced and sustained nutrient supply, which improved nutrient availability and utilisation by the crop. The study indicates that combining a reduced inorganic fertiliser dose with vermicompost, zinc sulphate and Azotobacter can enhance wheat productivity and nutrient uptake under the experimental conditions of Punjab.