Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under system of wheat intensification

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different NPK levels, sowing systems, and vermicompost application on the growth, physiological efficiency, yield attributes, and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The treatments comprised three levels of NPK (50% RDF, 75% RDF, and 100% RDF), three sowing systems [normal planting (NP) at 22.5 cm row spacing and the System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) at 20 × 20 cm and 25 × 25 cm], and vermicompost at 0 and 30 kg N ha⁻¹. Results revealed that increasing NPK levels significantly improved plant height (up to 103.69 cm), shoot dry weight (206.7 g/m), SPAD chlorophyll content (41.76), and LAI (3.67). SWI at 20 × 20 cm recorded greater plant height, SPAD values, and yield attributes than conventional spacing. Vermicompost application enhanced physiological traits, notably increasing LAI to 3.92 and grain yield to 4158 kg/ha. Effective tillers, spike length, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, and harvest index improved with integrated nutrient management and wider spacing. The results confirm that the synergistic effect of balanced fertilization, improved spatial arrangement, and organic amendments optimizes both vegetative and reproductive performance in wheat.