Effect of Inorganic Fertilizers and Organic Manures on Growth, Yield and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 at the Experimental Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India, to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilisers, organic manures, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), and Azotobacter on the growth, yield, and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) comprising twelve treatments with three replications. The treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure, ZnSO₄, and Azotobacter. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved plant height, leaf area index, tiller density, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, and economic returns compared with the control. Among the treatments, 75% RDF + 1.25 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost + 20 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ + 5 kg Azotobacter ha⁻¹ (T₁₁) recorded the highest grain yield of 4856.40 kg ha⁻¹ and 4912.00 kg ha⁻¹ during 2024–25 and 2025–26, respectively. The same treatment also produced the highest net returns of ₹70,493 ha⁻¹ and ₹72,546 ha⁻¹ during the respective years. These findings indicate that the integrated application of 75% RDF, vermicompost, ZnSO₄, and Azotobacter can effectively enhance wheat productivity and profitability while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers under the agro-climatic conditions of Punjab, India.