Impact of nutrient doses on the physicochemical quality of wheat and consumer acceptability in feeding

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at the Agriculture Research Farm of Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala (Haryana). The study evaluated the effects of various nutrient doses on the physicochemical quality of wheat and its consumer acceptability. The experiment used a randomized block design (RBD) with 13 treatments viz. T1-Control, T2-100 NPK, T3-100% NPK + Nano-N spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T4-100% NPK + Bio-nano-P spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T5-100% NPK + Bio-nano-K spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T6-100% NPK + Bio-nano-Zn spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T7-100% NPK + Nano-N + Bio-nano-P + Bio-nano-K + Bio-nano-Zn spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T8-75% NPK, T9-75% NPK + Nano-N spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T10-75% NPK + Bio-nano-P spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T11-75% NPK + Bio-nano-K spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T12-75% NPK + Bio-nano-Zn spray at 28 and 45 DAS, T13-75% NPK + Nano-N + Bio-nano-P + Bio-nano-K + Bio-nano-Zn spray at 28 and 45 DAS and 3 replications, involving different combinations of NPK and bio-nano nutrient sprays on HD-3086 wheat variety. Results indicated that treatment T7 (100% NPK + Nano-N + Bio-nano-P + Bio-nano-K + Bio-nano-Zn spray at 28 and 45 DAS) significantly enhanced nutrient uptake and accumulation in both grain and straw with overall uptake of nitrate (159.8 kg/ha), phosphate (49.74 kg/ha), potash (141.340 kg/ha) and zinc (217.35µg/g, leading to superior physicochemical quality and higher nutritional value of wheat.