Effect of FYM and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Soil Properties of Red Alfisol

Abstract

The soil multi-nutrient deficiency is not only a problem for soil quality, but also for crop productivity. In problematic soils, in particular acid soils, where low nutrient availability is a concern for general soil use, organic fertilizers are important. The importance of FYM is not limited to their role as accessibility, cost-effectiveness, soil nutrient reservoirs, moisture and ameliorating soil properties that determine soil fertility and productivity status. A pot experiment was conducted on wheat crop at Banaras Hindu University, India, to investigate the effect of FYM and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soil properties of red Alfisol. The results revealed that maximum number of tiller pot-1 (17.0), plant height (78.0 cm), grain yield (27.4 g pot-1), straw yield (9.98 g pot-1), biological yield (67.5 g pot-1), harvest index (40.6%), were recorded in 1.5RF+FYM1applied pots. The correlation study revealed a significant positive correlation of soil organic carbon with biological yield, and soil available N, P and K. The integration of FYM along with 1.5 times RF significantly enhanced wheat productivity, quality, and soil nutrient availability, indicating the potential of this integrated approach for restoring soil fertility in degraded soils to sustainable crop production in red Alfisol.