Effect of soil test crop response basis integrated nitrogen management on yield, quality and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2017 in wheat crop (var. HUW-234) at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Allahabad (U.P.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 12 treatment combinations, consisting of three nitrogen levels (100,125 and 150 kg N/ha) on soil test basis (STB) compared to farmer practice (FP) and nitrogen management viz., 100% N through urea, 75% N through urea + 25% N through vermicompost with seed inoculation by Azotobacter. The experimental result reveals this saving of nitrogen by 16.5 to 31.7 kg/ha without any significant effect on yield, quality and economics of wheat was noticed. Significantly higher grain yield (4.57 t/ha), net returns (₹ 55685.83 ha) and B:C ratio (2.98) was found with 150 kg N/ha (Farmer Practice) when applied 100% N through Urea where as higher straw yield (7.63 t/ha) and protein content (10.93%) was found with 150 kg N/ha (Farmer Practice) when applied 75% N through urea + 25% N through vermicompost + Azotobacter (seed inoculation).