Effect of soil fertility management practices on dry matter accumulation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Varanasi region of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive years (2019-20 & 2020-21) at the Agricultural Research Farm of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (I.A.S), Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design and replicated thrice. Results revealed that the treatment of 100% RDF + 5 kg Zn + 5 kg Fe recorded the highest dry matter accumulation (g) compared to the control and the application of 75% RDF at 30 (6.22, 7.29, and 6.75 g). and 60 DAS (98.21, 104.27, and 101.24 g) of wheat during both years and pooled analysis, respectively. However, at 90 DAS (407.17, 412.54, and 409.86 g) it was found significantly superior over the rest of the treatments in both years and pooled analysis, respectively. While application of various organic inputs and AMF did not produce any significant effect on dry matter accumulation (g) at 30 and 60 DAS of wheat during both years and in the pooled analysis, respectively. However, at 90 DAS, there was a significant effect on dry matter accumulation. The treatment of sludge + rice husk biochar + bagasse converted biochar + AMF (350.68, 362.71, and 356.70 g) recorded the highest dry matter accumulation at all growth stages of observation followed by the treatment sludge + rice husk biochar + AMF (344.02, 356.84, and 350.43 g) than that of other treatments in both years and pooled analysis, respectively.