Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth Indices in Wheat Varieties (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of the Department of Agriculture, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, during the Rabi season of 2022-2023. The study investigated the effects of integrated nutrient management, combining Hairamine (a protein hydrolysate derived from human hair) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK), on grain yield and related attributes across three wheat varieties. The soil at the site was sandy loam, well-drained, alkaline (pH 7.23), low in nitrogen, medium in phosphorus, and high in potassium, with an electrical conductivity of 0.89 dS/m. Four treatments were tested: T1: Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF), T2: 75% RDF + 25% nutrients from Vermicompost, T3: 75% RDF + Foliar application of Hairamine at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) at 10 ml/l water, T4: 50% RDF + 25% Vermicompost + 3 foliar sprays of Hairamine at 30, 60, and 90 DAS at 10 ml/l water.These treatments were applied to three wheat varieties: “WH 1124,” “WH 1105,” and “WH 1184,” using a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that T4 (50% RDF + 25% Vermicompost + 3 foliar sprays of Hairamine) produced the highest plant height, number of tillers, and dry matter accumulation, and these results were statistically comparable to those from T2 (75% RDF + 25% Vermicompost). Therefore, incorporating Hairamine as a biostimulant with a reduced fertilizer dose is recommended for sustainable wheat production.