Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield, nutrient uptake, quality and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum l.) under indo-gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh

Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereal crops of the world and occupies a central position in global food and nutritional security. Belonging to the family Poaceae, wheat is an allohexaploid species (2n = 6x = 42) possessing remarkable adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions. Owing to its high productivity, wide adaptability and nutritional value, wheat contributes nearly 20% of the total dietary calories and protein consumed worldwide (FAO, 2023). The crop serves as a staple food for more than one-third of the global population and forms the backbone of food security programmes in many developing countries, including India. Globally, wheat is cultivated on approximately 220 million hectares with an annual production exceeding 790 million tonnes. China, India, Russia, the United States, France and Canada are among the leading wheat-producing nations. India occupies the second position in global wheat production with an area of about 31-32 million hectares and production exceeding 110 million tonnes, accounting for nearly 14% of the world's wheat output (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, 2024) [19] . The Indo-Gangetic Plains, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar, contribute a major share of national wheat production due to favorable climatic conditions, fertile alluvial soils and extensive irrigation facilities (Singh et al., 2020) [28] . The spectacular increase in wheat production during the Green Revolution era was largely attributed to the adoption of highyielding varieties, assured irrigation and increased fertilizer consumption (Tilman et al., 2002) [32] . Although these technological interventions substantially enhanced food grain production, long-term dependence on chemical fertilizers alone has created several challenges. Continuous cultivation and imbalanced nutrient application have resulted in nutrient mining, declining soil organic matter, reduced nutrient-use efficiency and deterioration of soil physical, chemical and biological properties (Manna et al., 2005; Bhardwaj et al., 2021) [4,17] . Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers without adequate replenishment of phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients has further aggravated nutrient imbalances, adversely affecting crop productivity and soil sustainability (Singh et al., 2021) [29] . Soil fertility degradation has emerged as one of the most critical constraints limiting wheat productivity under intensive cropping systems. The depletion of soil organic carbon due to continuous cultivation and insufficient organic matter recycling has reduced microbial activity and impaired nutrient transformation processes. Organic matter plays a vital role in maintaining soil structure, water-holding capacity, cation exchange capacity and nutrient availability. Therefore, restoration of soil organic matter has become an essential prerequisite for sustaining crop productivity and environmental quality (Blair et al., 2006; Kundu et al., 2007) [5, 16] . Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) has been recognized as a sustainable and environmentally sound approach for improving nutrient-use efficiency and maintaining soil health. INM refers to the judicious integration of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, crop residues and biofertilizers to achieve optimum crop productivity while preserving soil fertility for future generations. The concept emphasizes balanced nutrient supply through multiple nutrient sources that complement each other and ensure synchronization between nutrient release and crop demand (Fageria et al., 2011) [8] . Organic nutrient sources such as farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure and neem cake contribute significantly to soil fertility improvement. Farmyard manure improves soil aggregation, microbial activity and moisture retention while supplying essential macro-and micronutrients. Vermicompost enhances nutrient mineralization, enzyme activity and microbial proliferation in the rhizosphere. Poultry manure provides readily available nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, whereas neem cake acts as both a nutrient source and nitrification inhibitor, improving nutrient-use efficiency (Kumar and Sharma, 2021; Meena et al., 2023) [14,15,18,26,27] . Biofertilizers have also gained considerable attention as components of integrated nutrient management systems. Azotobacter contributes to biological nitrogen fixation and synthesis of plant growth-promoting substances, whereas phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) improve phosphorus availability through the secretion of organic acids and phosphatase enzymes. Their combined use enhances nutrient uptake, root growth and overall crop performance (Prasad et al., 2020; Sharma and Verma, 2021) [26,27] 24v. Several researchers have reported significant improvements in growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat under integrated nutrient management practices. Manna et al. (2005) [17] demonstrated that long-term application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources improved soil organic carbon and crop productivity. Singh et al. (2022) [30] observed significant enhancement in plant height, tillering, dry matter accumulation and grain yield when chemical fertilizers were integrated with vermicompost and biofertilizers. Similarly, Meena et al. (2023) [18] reported that integrated nutrient management increased nutrient uptake, grain yield and profitability of wheat under Indo-Gangetic conditions. The significance of integrated nutrient management has become even more pronounced under changing climatic scenarios. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and increasing frequency of abiotic stresses threaten wheat productivity across many production regions. Improved soil organic matter content under INM enhances water retention, nutrient buffering capacity and crop resilience against climatic stresses (Aggarwal, 2021) [1] . Furthermore, the integration of organic nutrient sources reduces dependence on costly chemical fertilizers and contributes to environmentally sustainable agriculture. Economic viability is another important consideration in nutrient management research. Escalating fertilizer prices and increasing cultivation costs necessitate the development of nutrient management strategies that are both productive and profitable. Integrated nutrient management not only enhances crop yield but also improves nutrient-use efficiency and input productivity, thereby increasing net returns and benefit-cost ratio (Rashid et al., 2022; Singh et al., 2021) [25,29] . Such strategies are particularly important for small and marginal farmers who constitute the majority of agricultural producers in India. Despite substantial research on integrated nutrient management, the response of wheat to different combinations of organic and inorganic nutrient sources varies considerably across soil types and agro-climatic conditions. Therefore, location-specific studies are essential for developing efficient nutrient management recommendations. Information regarding the combined influence of FYM, vermicompost, biofertilizers, poultry manure, neem cake and zinc on wheat productivity under the central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh remains limited. Keeping these considerations in view, the present investigation entitled "Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Quality and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)" was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different nutrient management combinations on crop growth, productivity, nutrient dynamics, grain quality, soil fertility and economic returns under the agro-climatic conditions of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The findings are expected to contribute towards the development of sustainable nutrient management strategies for achieving higher productivity and profitability in wheat-based cropping systems.

Materials and Methods

The present investigation entitled "Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Quality and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)" was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025-26 at the Instructional Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The experimental site is situated in the Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh under the Indo-Gangetic Plains and is characterized by a subtropical climate with hot summers, cool winters and moderate rainfall. During the crop growth period, the weather remained favorable for wheat cultivation, with comparatively lower temperatures during vegetative growth and moderate temperatures during grain filling and maturity. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.69), non-saline in nature and low in organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus, while medium in available potassium. Such soil conditions provided an appropriate environment for evaluating the effectiveness of integrated nutrient management practices. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications. The wheat variety HD-2967 was sown during the second fortnight of November using a seed rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹ with row spacing of 22.5 cm. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) for wheat was 120:60:40 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha⁻¹ supplied through urea, diammonium phosphate and muriate of potash. Half of the nitrogen along with the full dose of phosphorus and potassium was applied as basal, while the remaining nitrogen was topdressed in two equal splits at crown root initiation and first node stages. Organic manures were incorporated into the soil fifteen days before sowing, whereas biofertilizers (Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria) were applied as seed treatment before sowing. Standard agronomic practices and plant protection measures were adopted uniformly in all plots throughout the crop season. [10] . Treatment means were compared using the critical difference (CD) test at the 5% level of significance wherever the F-test indicated significant treatment effects.

Results and Discussion: Growth Parameters

Growth parameters are important indicators of crop vigor, nutrient availability and physiological efficiency. Integrated nutrient management significantly influenced plant growth throughout the crop growth period. The combined application of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers ensured a balanced nutrient supply, enhanced microbial activity and improved soil physical conditions, which collectively promoted better vegetative growth of wheat. [17] , Singh et al. (2022) [30] and Meena et al. (2023) [18] , who observed enhanced vegetative growth under integrated nutrient management practices. The lowest plant height was recorded under control treatment due to poor nutrient availability and reduced soil biological activity.

Treatments T₂ and T₄ remained statistically at par with T₆, indicating that partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic nutrient sources can effectively sustain crop growth while reducing dependence on inorganic fertilizers. [16] , Ali et al. (2023) [2] and Sharma and Verma (2021) [26, 27] . [25] , Fageria et al. (2011) [8] and Singh et al. (2022) [30] .

Discussion

The number of tillers was significantly influenced by nutrient management practices. The highest tiller population was observed under T₆, which produced 69.7% more effective tillers than control. Improved tillering under integrated nutrient management resulted from balanced nutrient availability and enhanced root proliferation. The beneficial role of FYM, vermicompost and biofertilizers in stimulating rhizosphere activity and nutrient uptake has been widely documented by Kumar and Sharma (2021) [14,15,26,27] , Singh et al. (2022) [30] and Meena et al. (2023) [18] .

Results and Discussion: Yield Attributes and Yield

Yield is the cumulative expression of growth, nutrient utilization efficiency and assimilate translocation during crop development. Integrated nutrient management significantly influenced yieldcontributing characters and final productivity of wheat. The combined application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources ensured balanced nutrient availability throughout the crop growth period, resulting in improved reproductive growth and grain development. [30] , Meena et al. (2023) [18] , Panwar et al. (2012) [23] and Fageria et al. (2011) [8] , who observed significant enhancement in spike characteristics and grain development under integrated nutrient management. Grain yield differed significantly among nutrient management treatments. The highest grain yield (5.82 t ha⁻¹) was obtained with T₆, followed by T₂ (5.52 t ha⁻¹) and T₄ (5.44 t ha⁻¹). Treatment T₆ produced 81.3% higher grain yield than the control and 27.1% higher yield than the sole RDF treatment. The superiority of T₆ may be attributed to improved vegetative growth, higher dry matter production, enhanced tillering and superior yield attributes. The integration of FYM and vermicompost improved soil physical conditions and nutrient retention, while Azotobacter and PSB enhanced nutrient availability and uptake. Consequently, greater photosynthate production and efficient partitioning towards grains resulted in higher productivity. Straw yield and biological yield followed a trend similar to grain yield. The highest straw yield (7.46 t ha⁻¹) and biological yield (13.28 t ha⁻¹) were recorded under T₆. Biological yield under T₆ was approximately 63.3% higher than control, indicating the substantial influence of integrated nutrient management on biomass production. Although harvest index varied numerically among treatments, differences remained statistically non-significant. This indicates that integrated nutrient management improved both grain and straw production proportionately. Similar observations have been reported by Manna et al. (2005) [17] , Rashid et al. (2022) [25] , Kumar et al. (2021) [14,15] and Ali et al. (2023) [2] .

Relationship between Growth and Yield

The increase in grain yield under integrated nutrient management was strongly associated with enhanced growth parameters.

Treatments producing higher plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and tiller population also recorded superior yield attributes and final grain yield. The positive relationship demonstrates that balanced nutrient supply improved photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient absorption and assimilate translocation, thereby enhancing crop productivity.

Economics, Correlation and Regression Analysis

Economic profitability is one of the most important criteria for evaluating the feasibility of nutrient management practices. Integrated nutrient management significantly influenced gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio through its positive effect on crop productivity. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to understand the relationship between growth parameters, nutrient uptake and grain yield. Although the cost of cultivation under integrated nutrient management treatments was slightly higher because of organic manure and biofertilizer application, the additional expenditure was compensated by significantly higher grain and straw yields.

Treatments T₂ and T₄ also produced comparable economic returns and remained statistically at par with T₆. These findings agree with those reported by Kumar et al. (2021) [14,15] , Rashid et al.

(2022) [25] , Singh et al. (2021) and Meena et al. (2023) [18] , who observed higher profitability under integrated nutrient management compared with sole fertilizer application.

Correlation Analysis

Discussion

Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between grain yield and major growth parameters. Effective tillers (r = 0.986) exhibited the strongest correlation with grain yield, followed by dry matter accumulation (r = 0.978) and nitrogen uptake (r = 0.971). These results indicate that enhanced vegetative growth and nutrient acquisition directly contributed to increased grain production.

The positive relationship between nutrient uptake and grain yield confirms that balanced nutrient availability improved crop physiological efficiency and assimilate production. Similar relationships have been reported by Fageria et al. (2011) [8] , Panwar et al. (2012) [23] and Singh et al. (2022). Where: Y = Grain yield (t ha⁻¹) X = Independent variable Regression analysis demonstrated a highly significant positive relationship between grain yield and nutrient uptake, tiller production and biomass accumulation. The coefficient of determination (R² = 0.943) for nitrogen uptake indicated that approximately 94.3% of the variation in grain yield was explained by nitrogen uptake alone. Similarly, effective tillers showed the highest predictive value (R² = 0.972), suggesting that tiller production was the most important determinant of final grain yield. Dry matter accumulation also exhibited a strong positive relationship with grain yield (R² = 0.956). These findings emphasize the importance of balanced nutrient management in improving crop growth and productivity.

Regression Analysis

Conclusion and Recommendations

The present investigation entitled "Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Quality and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)" clearly demonstrated the beneficial role of integrated nutrient management in enhancing wheat productivity, nutrient-use efficiency, grain quality and economic profitability under the Indo-Gangetic Plains of Uttar Pradesh. The combined use of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers significantly improved crop growth, yield attributes, nutrient uptake and post-harvest soil fertility compared with sole chemical fertilization and control treatment. Among the various nutrient management practices evaluated, the treatment comprising 50% RDF + 25% FYM + 25% Vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB (T₆) consistently recorded superior performance across all growth, yield and quality parameters. The treatment produced the maximum plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and tiller population, which ultimately resulted in higher effective tillers, spike length, grains spike⁻¹ and test weight. Consequently, the highest grain yield (5.82 t ha⁻¹), straw yield (7.46 t ha⁻¹) and biological yield (13.28 t ha⁻¹) were obtained under this treatment. Integrated nutrient management significantly enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake owing to improved nutrient availability, microbial activity and root development. Grain quality also improved substantially, as reflected by higher protein content and crude protein yield. In addition to increasing crop productivity, integrated nutrient management positively influenced soil health by improving soil organic carbon and available nutrient status after harvest. The findings confirm that the integration of organic and inorganic nutrient sources contributes to sustainable nutrient cycling and long-term maintenance of soil fertility.

Economic analysis further established the superiority of integrated nutrient management. Treatment T₆ generated the highest gross return (₹145,500 ha⁻¹), net return (₹92,300 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (2.74), indicating that the additional investment in organic inputs was economically justified through higher productivity and profitability. Correlation and regression analyses revealed strong positive relationships among growth parameters, nutrient uptake and grain yield, confirming that enhanced nutrient availability and biomass production were the major drivers of increased productivity.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of the present investigation, it is recommended that 50% RDF + 25% FYM + 25% Vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB may be adopted for wheat cultivation under the agro-climatic conditions of the Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh and similar Indo-Gangetic regions for achieving higher productivity, improved grain quality, enhanced soil fertility and greater economic returns. The integrated use of organic manures and biofertilizers with reduced chemical fertilizer application offers a sustainable and environmentally sound nutrient management strategy for long-term wheat production.

References

1. Aggarwal PK. Climate change and wheat productivity in South Asia: Challenges and adaptation strategies. Agricultural Systems. 2021;190:103098. DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103098.
2. Ali M, Khan MA, Ahmad S, Hussain N. Integrated nutrient management improves nutrient uptake, productivity and quality of wheat under subtropical conditions. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 2023;46(8):1584-1598. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2022.2146721.
3. Bandyopadhyay KK, Pradhan S, Singh R, Gupta VK. Integrated nutrient and residue management improves water and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat-based systems. Field Crops Research. 2023;295:108903. DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2023.108903.
4. Bhardwaj AK, Sharma R, Singh P. Sustainable nutrient management in cereal-based cropping systems. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 2021;66(4):423-432.
5. Blair GJ, Lefroy RDB, Lisle L. Soil carbon fractions based on their degree of oxidation and the development of a carbon management index. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 2006;46(7):1459-1466. DOI: 10.1071/AR9951459.
6. Bouyoucos GJ. Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agronomy Journal. 1962;54(5):464-465. DOI: 10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x.
7. Dhaliwal SS, Naresh RK, Sharma S, Singh R. Residual effect of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility and productivity of rice-wheat system. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 2023;69(5):699-714. DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2022.2038708.
8. Fageria NK, Baligar VC, Jones CA. Growth and mineral nutrition of field crops. 3rd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2011.
9. FAO. FAOSTAT statistical database. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; 2023 [cited 2026 Jul 13]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/faostat
10. Gomez KA, Gomez AA. Statistical procedures for agricultural research. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1984.
11. International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC). Shifting the limits in wheat research and breeding using a fully annotated reference genome. Science. 2018;361(6403):eaar7191. DOI: 10.1126/science.aar7191.
12. Jackson ML. Soil chemical analysis. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India; 1973.
13. Kantwa SR, Yadav RK, Singh AK, Kumar P. Integrated nutrient management influences nutrient uptake and soil fertility in wheat cultivars. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 2025;25(1):112-126.
14. Kumar A, Sharma V. Influence of farmyard manure and fertilizer combinations on growth and productivity of wheat. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 2021;66(2):185-191.
15. Kumar R, Singh D, Verma P. Effect of integrated nutrient management on wheat productivity and profitability under alluvial soils. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2021;10(1):1675-1680.
16. Kundu S, Bhattacharyya R, Prakash V, Ghosh BN, Gupta HS. Carbon sequestration and relationship of carbon management index after seven years of conservation agriculture in the Indian Himalayas. Soil and Tillage Research. 2007;92(1-2):38-49. DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2006.01.001.
17. Manna MC, Swarup A, Wanjari RH, Ravankar HN, Mishra B, Saha MN, et al. Long-term effect of fertilizer and manure application on soil organic carbon storage, soil quality and yield sustainability under sub-humid and semi-arid tropical India. Field Crops Research. 2005;93(2-3):264-280. DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2004.10.006.
18. Meena BL, Kumar S, Yadav GS, Singh R. Integrated nutrient management improves productivity, nutrient uptake and profitability of wheat. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2023;93(4):412-418.
19. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Agricultural statistics at a glance 2024. New Delhi: Government of India; 2024.
20. Olsen SR, Cole CV, Watanabe FS, Dean LA. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. Washington: USDA; 1954. Circular No. 939.
21. Pal RK, Kumar M, Singh R. Nutrient management strategies for enhancing productivity and sustainability of pulse-based cropping systems. Legume Research. 2023;46(8):1024-1033.
22. Pal RK, Kumar M, Singh R. Integrated nutrient management and soil fertility improvement in pulse crops under IndoGangetic plains. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science. 2024;36(5):112-121.
23. Panwar AS, Shamim M, Babu S, Ravishankar N, Prusty AK, Alam NM, et al. Enhancement of productivity, nutrient use efficiency and economics through integrated nutrient management in wheat. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 2012;57(4):325-329.
24. Prasad R, Shivay YS, Kumar D, Sharma SN. Integrated nutrient management for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in wheat. Indian Farming. 2020;70(3):23-29.
25. Rashid M, Ahmad Z, Khan I, Hussain S, Ali H. Integrated nutrient management enhances wheat productivity, nutrient uptake and profitability. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2022;59(4):875-884.
26. Sharma A, Verma R. Influence of biofertilizers and organic manures on growth and nutrient uptake of wheat. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 2021;44(12):1805-1817. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2021.1881552.
27. Sharma P, Singh R, Yadav A. Poultry manure based integrated nutrient management for sustainable wheat production. International Journal of Chemical Studies. 2021;9(3):1476-1481.
28. Singh AK, Kumar R, Yadav V. Wheat production trends and productivity enhancement in Indo-Gangetic plains. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 2020;65(3):267-275.
29. Singh B, Sharma M, Kumar P. Nutrient use efficiency and economics of wheat under integrated nutrient management. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 2021;20(4):358364.
30. Singh D, Meena RS, Kumar S. Integrated nutrient management improves growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat under alluvial soils. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 2022;45(15):2315-2328. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2022.2057124.
31. Subbiah BV, Asija GL. A rapid procedure for estimation of available nitrogen in soils. Current Science. 1956;25:259260.
32. Tilman D, Cassman KG, Matson PA, Naylor R, Polasky S. Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices. Nature. 2002;418(6898):671-677. DOI: 10.1038/nature01014.
33. Walkley A, Black IA. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science. 1934;37(1):29-38. DOI: 10.1097/00010694193401000-00003.
34. Zimin AV, Puiu D, Hall R, Kingan S, Clavijo BJ, Salzberg SL. The first near-complete assembly of the hexaploid bread wheat genome. GigaScience. 2017;6(11):1-7. DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/gix097.