Influence of tillage, hydrogel and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on growth performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), commonly known as bread wheat, is one of the most important cereal crops globally, serving as a staple food for a large proportion of the world's population (Shewry, 2009 and Curtis et al., 2002) [13,3] . Among the various wheat species, Triticum aestivum is a hexaploid species (2n = 6x = 42 chromosomes), which evolved through natural hybridization events involving diploid and tetraploid ancestors (Dubcovsky & Dvorak, 2007) [4] . Morphologically, Triticum aestivum is an annual herb characterized by hollow stems (culms), narrow leaves, and a terminal spike inflorescence composed of spikelets. Each spikelet contains multiple florets that develop into grains (Bonjean & Angus, 2001) [2] . The wheat grain, botanically known as a caryopsis, consists of three main parts, i.e., the bran, endosperm, and germ (Wieser, 2007) [15] . Global production of wheat in 2025, has shown a steady increase, according to estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2025) [5] and the International Grains Council (IGC, 2025) [7] . Total world wheat production during 2025 is projected to range between 796 and 810 million tonnes, marking a slight increase compared to approximately 787 million tonnes in 2024.

Official estimates from the Government of India (GoI) indicate wheat output in the agricultural year 2024-25 to be around 117-118 million tonnes.

Tillage

Tillage is an important agronomic practice that modifies soil physical conditions and influences crop establishment, root development and subsequent growth. Different tillage depths and intensities can alter soil structure, porosity, aeration, infiltration and moisture distribution, thereby affecting the availability of water and nutrients to growing plants. Suitable tillage practices can promote better root proliferation, plant establishment, tillering and dry matter accumulation, which may result in improved growth dynamics of wheat.

Hydrogel

Hydrogel is a water-absorbing polymer capable of retaining and gradually releasing water in the soil, thereby improving moisture availability in the crop root zone. Its application can help reduce fluctuations in soil moisture and maintain a more favorable moisture regime for plant growth. Improved moisture availability may enhance root activity, nutrient uptake, plant height, tiller production, leaf development and dry matter accumulation. Thus, hydrogel has potential to improve the growth dynamic of wheat, particularly under conditions of limited or irregular water availability.

Integrated Nutrient Management

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) involves the balanced and judicious use of inorganic fertilizers along with organic nutrient sources such as farm yard manure (FYM) and vermicompost. The combined application of organic and inorganic nutrient sources can improve nutrient availability, soil fertility and nutrient-use efficiency, thereby promoting sustained crop growth. Consequently, suitable INM practices can positively influence different growth parameters and improves the overall growth dynamics of wheat. Tillage, soil moisture and nutrient availability interact closely in determining the growth and development of wheat. Integration of appropriate tillage practices with hydrogel and INM may create a favorable soil environment by improving moisture retention, nutrient availability and root activity. However, the individual and interactive effects of these practices on the temporal growth performance of wheat need to be better understood. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the "Influence of tillage, hydrogel and integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)" with emphasis on changes in major growth attributes during different stages of crop development.

Materials and Methods

Experimental Site

The field experiment was conducted at the Student's Instructional Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (208002), Uttar Pradesh, India. The experimental site is located at 26.49° North latitude and 80.29° East longitude, with an altitude of approximately 125.9 m above mean sea level. The region falls under the Central Plain Zone (Agro-climatic zone-Ⅲ) of Uttar Pradesh and is characterized by a subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters.

Treatment Details and Experimental Design

The experiment was carried out during two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2024-25 and 2025-26, for which, Wheat variety "DBW-187" (Karan Vandana) is used with Split Plot Design as described by Gomez and Gomez (1984) [6] , comprising four main plot factors i.e., Tillage practices (T): Conventional Tillage (15 cm) (T 1 ), Deep Tillage (25 cm) (T 2 ), Conventional Tillage (15 cm) + Pusa Hydrogel 5 kg ha -1 (T 3 ) and, Deep Tillage (25 cm) + Pusa Hydrogel 5 kg ha -1 (T 4 ) and six sub-plot factors i.e., Integrated Nutrient Management (N): 100% Recommended dose of NPK (120:60:40 kg ha -1 ) (N 1 ), 100% Recommended dose of NPK + Vermicompost @ 8 t ha -1 (N 2 ), 100% Recommended dose of NPK + Farm Yard Manure @ 20 t ha -1 (N 3 ), 100% Recommended dose of NPK + Vermicompost @ 8 t ha -1 + FYM @ 20 t ha -1 (N 4 ), 75% Recommended dose of NPK + Farm Yard Manure @ 20 t ha -1 (N 5 ) and 75% Recommended dose of NPK + FYM @ 20 t ha -1 + Vermicompost @ 8 t ha -1 (N 6 ) making total combination of twenty-four treatments which replicated thrice.

A 1m × 1m quadrat was randomly placed in each plot. Emerged seedlings were counted at full emergence for the initial plant population, and surviving plants were counted at maturity for the final population. Counts were expressed as plants per m², averaged for each treatment, and recorded carefully.

[Plant Population (plants m -2 ) = Number of plants counted in 1m 2 area]

Five plants were randomly selected and tagged in each plot for recording plant height. Plant height was measured using a meter scale in centimeters from the ground surface to the tip of the main shoot. Observations were taken at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest.

Five plants were randomly selected and tagged in each plot for recording fresh weight. The whole plant was carefully uprooted and weighed immediately using a digital balance, and the results were expressed in g plant -¹. Observations were taken at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest. The same tagged plants used for fresh weight were oven-dried at 65-70 °C until a constant weight was achieved. After drying, samples were weighed using a digital balance and expressed as g plant -¹.

Five plants were randomly selected and tagged in each plot for recording leaf area. Leaf area was measured by the graph paper method and their area calculated in cm², and expressed as cm² plant -¹. Observations were taken at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest.

The number of tillers was recorded by counting all tillers within a 1m² area in each plot. Counts were taken at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest, and expressed as number of tillers m -².

Results and Discussion

The data presented in Table 01. represents that during 2024-25, Initial plant population was significantly influenced by tillage practices, with T₄ recording the highest plant population of 225.52. Among INM, plant population was found to be non-significant. Although, N₄ recorded the highest plant population of 222.31. During 2025-26, Initial plant population was found to be non-significant. Although, T₄ recording the highest plant population of 229.27. Among INM, plant population was found to be non-significant. Although, N₄ recorded the highest plant population of 224.47. In 2024-25, Final plant stand at harvest was found to be non-significant. Although, T 3 recording the highest plant population of 212.67. Among INM, plant population was found to be non-significant. Although, N 6 recorded the highest value 212.08. In 2025-26, Final plant stand at harvest was significantly influenced by tillage practices, with T₄ treatment 212.15. Among INM, plant population was found to be non-significant. Although, N 4 recorded the highest value 210.83 among INM.

The data presented in Table 04. represents that during 2024-25, Plant dry weight was significantly influenced by tillage practices and INM at all growth stages. T₄ recorded the highest plant dry weight of 6.67, 42.17 and 313.49 at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest, while T 2 has highest 136.27 at 90 DAS, respectively. Among INM treatments, N₄ recorded the highest plant dry weight of 6.33, 40.36 and 296.25 at 30, 60 and at harvest, while N 2 is 126.49 dry weight. During 2025-26, Plant dry weight was significantly influenced by tillage practices and INM at all growth stages. T₄ recorded the highest plant dry weight of 6.72, 42.34 and 314.36 at 30, 60 and at harvest, respectively. While, T 2 has 144.39 at 90 DAS. Among INM treatments, N₄ recorded the highest plant dry weight of 6.48, 41.46, 141.48 and 297.12 g plant -¹ at the respective growth stages.

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