Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out during the Rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at experimental block, School of Agricultural Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University (SAS-SGRRU), Pathribagh, Dehradun, Uttarakhand to study the effect of various nutrient management approaches on growth, yield, quality, soil health and net profit of wheat crop. The experiment was laid out split plot design with two factors each at different levels. First factor includes absolute control, organic farming practices (Vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 + seed inoculation with Azotobacter and PSB + 2 sprays of Vermiwash at 30 & 45 DAS); and Natural farming practices (Sieved cow dung @ 2.5 t ha^-1 + seed treatment with Bijamrit + Jeevamrit @ 200 l ha^-1). The second factor comprises 100% RDF, 75% RDF, 50% RDF, 25% RDF and were replicated 3 times. Incorporation of organic farming practices, natural farming practices and different doses of NPK fertilizers significantly influenced all the growth parameters, yield and yield attributes gluten content in wheat grain, soil microbial count in the soil and economics of the cultivation during both years of experimentation. In view of the two years of the experimentation, it can be concluded that organic farming practices + 75% RDF showed 15% and 18% yield advantages during 2021 & 2022, respectively over natural farming + 75% RDF and 29% and 35% over absolute control + 75% RDF. Similarly organic farming practices + 75% RDF showed 13% and 10% monetary benefit during 2022 & 2023, respectively over natural farming + 75% RDF and 40% and 41% over absolute control + 75% RDF. Thus, adoption of organic farming practices + 75% RDF can be suggested for higher grain yield, net income generation of the wheat crop in western Himalayan zones of the Uttarakhand.