Economic Sustainability of Organic Wheat under System of Wheat Intensification

Abstract

Currently, wheat being a staple for 35% global population and projected to increase its demand by 60% by 2050 highlights its critical importance. This research aimed to investigate the impact of different organic nutrient sources on wheat yield and economic efficiency under system of wheat intensification. The system of wheat intensification is a sustainable, ecologically-based cropping methodology that when coupled with meticulous management of organic nutrients sources, plays a crucial role in significantly boosting wheat yield and greater economic efficiency by optimizing resource use and soil health. Field experiments were conducted over two years in rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24, using split plot design with three replications to assess four solid organic manures (Farmyard manure, Farmyard manure with straw mulching, Neem cake manure, and Neem cake manure with straw mulching) and four liquid organic formulations (No spray, 3% Panchagavya, 10% Jeevamrutha, and 2% Cow urine). Findings revealed that solid organic manures and liquid organic formulations significantly (p≤0.05) influenced wheat grain yield and economic efficiency. The main-plots applied with neem cake manure (5 t/ha) produced higher wheat grain yield of 27.15 and 31.86 q/ha, while sub-plots sprayed with 10% Jeevamrutha produced the maximum grain yield of 27.77 and 31.48 q/ha in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. There was a significant increase in all economic parameters with organic nutrient sources. Wheat crop gained higher net return with Farmyard manure followed by straw mulching and 2% cow urine (₹ 90,870.30/ha) in 2022-23, while with neem cake manure and 10% Jeevamrutha (₹ 1,24,675.50/ha) in 2023-24. However, maximum benefit-cost ratio (1.81 and 2.17) was obtained in the interaction of Farmyard manure followed by straw mulching and 2% cow urine in both years.