Effect of sowing methods and nutrient management on soil enzymatic activity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under organic farming

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24. The experiment was laid out in a strip plot design with three replications and horizontal strip four sowing methods treatments viz. S1: Line sowing, S2: Criss cross sowing, S3: Line sowing with 150% seed rate and S4: Criss cross sowing with 150% seed rate and vertical strip six organic nutrient management viz. N1: 100% RDN, N2: 75% RDN + Azotobactor + PSB, N3: 100% RDN + Azotobactor + PSB, N4: 75% RDN + Azotobactor + 4 foliar spray of 10% Cow urine at 20 days interval, N5: 100% RDN + Azotobactor + PSB + 4 foliar spray of 10% Cow urine at 20 days interval and N6: 125% RDN. Different sowing methods recorded non-significant effects on Soil enzymatic activity at flowering stage of wheat during both the years and on mean basis. Among different nutrient management practices, the highest alkaline phosphatase activity, DHA and MBC was found under 125% RDN (N6) which was at par with 100% RDN + Azotobacter + PSB + 4 foliar spray of 10% cow urine at 20 days interval (N5) and 100% RDN + Azotobacter + PSB (N3) and lowest was observed under 75% RDN + Azotobactor + PSB (N2) during both the years and on mean basis.