Enhancing fertilizer use efficiency in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through integrated nutrient management: A study on economic viability and chemical properties

Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second most important cereal after rice and a staple diet for 40% of the world's population. Over 4.5 billion people in 94 countries get 20% of their protein and 21% of their calories from wheat. Wheat is grown on 215.48 million hectares of land worldwide, producing 731.4 million metric tons with an average productivity of 3390 kg/ha (USDA report, 2019). With an area of 29.65 million hectares and a yield of 99.9 million metric tonnes with an average productivity of 3371 kg/ha (USDA report, 2019), wheat also plays a significant part in food and nutritional security in India. It accounts for about one-third of all food grain production (Tandon, 2000). By 2050, the current 7.7 billion people on the planet are predicted to increase to 9.7 billion. India currently has the second-highest population (1.3 billion) after China (1.41 billion), and it is predicted to overtake China in around seven years, reaching a peak of 1.7 billion by 2050 (The UN World Population Prospects: 2019 Revision). As a result, wheat is probably going to be essential for maintaining global food security. With 9.75 million hectares, 32.59 million tons produced, and 3100 kg/ha of productivity, Uttar Pradesh is the top wheat-growing state in India (Anonymous, 2021) [1] . However, compared to Haryana (4 t/ha) and Punjab (4.3 t/ha), the state's wheat productivity is significantly lower. The 2019 Update). Wheat will therefore probably remain essential to maintaining food security worldwide. With an area of 9.75 million hectares, production of 32.59 million tons, and productivity of 3100 kg/ha, Uttar Pradesh is the top wheatgrowing state in India (Anonymous, 2021) [1] . However, compared to Punjab (4.3 t/ha) and Haryana (4 t/ha), The state's wheat productivity is significantly lower. The utilization of organic manure as a renewable source of plant nutrients is becoming more significant due to the ongoing global energy crisis and the skyrocketing cost of chemical fertilizer. In this quest, maintaining soil health and boosting productivity both depend on the right mix of organic and inorganic fertilizer (Bakht et al., 2007) [2] . A sufficient supply of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, is necessary for the growth and yield of wheat, a significant cereal crop (Kumar et al., 2004) [5] . Farm manure application increases soil fertility and reduces soil permeability. The right nutrition and preservation of soil fertility were aided by the application of organic materials either by themselves or in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers. According to (Hussain et al., 1988) [4] , using organic manures improved the effectiveness of chemical fertilizers. It is believed that ongoing chemical fertilizer use is a substantial contributor to both water pollution and the decline of soil health. A balanced application of both organic manures and mineral fertilizers is essential for maintaining high crop and soil productivity and sustainability. In order to preserve the delicate ecosystem and partially or completely replace the usage of expensive inputs like chemical fertilizer, it is imperative to investigate alternative sources. Chemical fertilizers may be replaced by the useful amendment known as farmyard manures. In addition to improving the quality of the produce, it promotes plant growth and may aid in preventing plant disease. In order to maximize water use, farmyard manure enhances the soil's physical quality and increases its capacity to hold water. By boosting cation exchange capacity and supplying different hormones and organic acids, which are crucial for soil aggregation and beneficial soil microorganisms involved in a variety of biochemical processes and nutrient release, it also enhances the chemical and biological conditions of soil. Combining FYM with inorganic N sources improves soil fertility and boosts wheat yield and financial returns (Sarma et al., 2007) [10] . Farmers are using chemical fertilizer to address the issue of nutrient deficit and boost wheat yield. Nevertheless, small farmers cannot afford to apply chemical fertilizers in an appropriate quantity and proportion due to their high cost. In such circumstances, maintaining soil fertility and crop yield can be greatly aided by the integrated use of chemical and organic fertilizers and manures.

Materials and Methods

In order to determine the best course of action for improved wheat growth and yield, the current study, "Enhancing Fertilizer Use Efficiency in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through Integrated Nutrient Management: A Study on Economic Viability and Chemical Properties," will be conducted during the winter of 2024-2025 at the Agriculture Farm and Department of Horticulture, Mansarovar Global University Sehore (Madhya Pradesh), India. Three replications of twelve treatments were used in the Randomized Block Design (R.B.D.) setup of the experiment.

Results and Discussion

Chemical studies Nitrogen content in grain and straw

Under different treatments over both years, the nitrogen content of straw ranged from 0.22 to 0.62 and that of wheat grain from 1.20 to 1.63. Grain and straw had the highest nitrogen content during the years when 75% N from vermicompost and 25% N from FYM (T 12 ) were added, whereas the control plot had the lowest nitrogen content.

Nitrogen uptake in grain and straw:

During both years of the experiment, the highest nitrogen uptake in grain was observed when 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ) was incorporated. Similarly, nitrogen uptake in straw was observed when 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ), followed by 75% N through FYM + 25% N through vermicompost (T 11 ). Under regulated settings, grain and straw showed the lowest nitrogen uptake.

Phosphorus content in grain and straw

Under various treatments, the phosphorus content in straw ranged from 0.07 to 0.15% and in grain from 0.13 to 0.32%. Higher fertilizer dosages, specifically 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ), produced the highest phosphorus content in grain and straw, which was statistically comparable to a treatment that added 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM. (T 7 ) which were considerably better than the remaining therapies when combined. Phosphorus content was lowest in control plots.

Phosphorus uptake by grain and straw

Under various treatments for the corresponding years, phosphorus uptake in grain ranged from 4.40 to 12.70 kg/ha, whereas in straw it ranged from 3.45 to 7.30 kg/ha. During the years, the highest phosphorus uptake in grain was observed when 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ) was included, followed by 75% N through FYM + 25% N through vermicompost (T 11 ). Similarly, the application of 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ) resulted in the highest phosphorus uptake in straw, which was superior to the other treatments but on par with the treatment including the addition of 50% RDF + 50% N through vermicompost (T 6 ) throughout the years. The control plots showed the lowest phosphorus uptake in wheat grain and straw.

Potassium content in grain and straw

Under various treatments, the potassium content in grain ranged from 0.45 to 0.69% and in straw from 0.83 to 0.1. 34%. Higher fertilizer dosages, specifically 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ), produced the highest potassium content in grain and straw, which was statistically comparable to the treatment that added 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM (T 7 ), which was significantly better than the other treatments when pooled. The control plots had the lowest potassium content value.

Potassium uptake by grain and straw

Under various treatments for the corresponding years, potassium uptake in grain ranged from 11.9 to 32.70 kg/ha, whereas in straw it ranged from 35.6 to 85.7 kg/ha. During the years, the highest potassium uptake in grain was observed when 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ) was included, followed by 75% N through FYM + 25% N through vermicompost (T 11 ). Similarly, the application of 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ) resulted in the highest potassium uptake in straw, which was superior to the other treatments but on par with the treatment including the addition of 50% RDF + 50% N through vermicompost (T 6 ) throughout the years. Control plots had the lowest potassium uptake in wheat grain and straw.

When the crop was fertilized with 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N with FYM (T 12 ), the mean protein content was 10.40%, compared to a mean of 7.35% in the control.

Protein output ranged from 192.8 to 483.9 kg/ha across all treatments throughout the combined years. The crop that received 75% N from vermicompost and 25% N from FYM (T 12 ) produced the most protein, while the control plot produced the least during the combined years.

Economic Analysis Cost of cultivation (Rsha -1 )

The maximum cost of cultivation (Rs. 47947) was calculated using 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ), followed by 75% Recommended N + 25% N through (T 7 ) and 100% Recommended NPK T 2 . During the examination of pooled years, the control plot had the lowest cultivation cost (Rs. 35089).

Gross return (Rsha -1 )

The gross return of wheat varied significantly depending on the nutrient management strategy. During the pooling years, crops cultivated in control plots had the lowest gross returns as compared to other fertilizer management strategies. According to data analysis, the application of 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ) and 75% Recommended N + 25% N through (T 7 ) during the pooling year had the highest gross return (Rs.128577).

Net returns (Rs. ha -1 ) Higher fertilizer dosages, such as 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ) and 75% Recommended N + 25% N through (T 7 ), yielded the highest net returns (Rs. 80630) during pooled years, while the control plot yielded the lowest net returns (Rs. 42336).

Benefit: cost ratio

The highest B:C (1.68) was obtained by applying larger fertilizer doses, specifically 75% N through vermicompost + 25% N through FYM (T 12 ), followed by 75% The control plot (1.21) produced the lowest net returns throughout the pooling years, but the recommended N + 25% N through (T 7 ).

Conclusion

The highest grain yield (46.5 q/ha), net returns (Rs. 80630) and benefit cost ratio 1.68. The crop had higher NPK content in its grain and straw and resulted in higher NPK use efficiency.

Accumulating their highest amount soil health as indicated by residual status of nutrient aggregate stability, bulk density, dehydrogenate activity, microbial population (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) was also better under the practices.

References

1. Anonymous. Economic Survey of India. 2019.
2. Bakht J, Shafi M, Shah Z. Influence of crop residue management, cropping system and N fertilizer on soil N and C dynamics and sustainable wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Soil Tillage Res. 2007;104(2):233-240.
3. Chopra R, Sharma M, Sharma SK, Nepalia V, Jain HK, Singh A. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Haplustepts. International Journal of Soil Science and Nature. 2016;7(3):622-628.
4. Hussain MI, Shah SH, Sajjad Hussain, Khalid Iqbal. Growth, yield and quality response of three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties to different levels of N, P and K. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 2002;4(3):362-364.
5. Kumar V, Ahlawat IPS. Carry-over effect of biofertilizer and nitrogen applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum) and direct applied N in maize (Zea mays) in wheat-maize cropping systems. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 2004;49(4):233-236.
6. Meena BP, Kumar A, Lal B, Sinha NK, Tiwari PK, Dotaniya ML, et al. Soil microbial, chemical properties and crop productivity as affected by organic manure application in popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta). African Journal of Microbiology Research. 2015;9(21):1402-1408.
7. Mohanta S, Banerjee M, Shankar T. Influence of nutrient management on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in lateritic belt of West Bengal. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 2020;9(6):1389-1396.
8. Sheoran S, Raj D, Antil RS, Mor VS, Dahiya DS. Productivity, seed quality and nutrient use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under organic, inorganic and integrated nutrient management practices after twenty years of fertilization. Cereal Research Communications. 2017;45(3). doi:10.1556/0806.45.2017.014.
9. Sameen A, Niaz A, Anjum FM. Chemical composition of three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties as affected by NPK doses. International Journal of Agriculture & Biology. 2002;4(4):537-539.
10. Sarma A, Singh H, Nanwal RK. Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under limited and adequate irrigation supplies. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 2007;52(3):120-123.
11. Youssef SM, Faizy SE-D, Mashali SA, El-Ramady HR. Effect of different levels of NPK on wheat crop in North Delta and Sh. Ragab. Soil and Water Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University. 2013;3(3):516.