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Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the integrated use of organic and mineral N fertilizer on the yield and yield attributes of wheat. Treatments included: Control; full recommended mineral N (120 kg ha − 1); 90 kg mineral N + farm yard manure (FYM); ½ mineral N + ½FYM, 30 kg mineral N + FYM; full dose of FYM alone. Wheat variety Inqulab-91 was used as a testing crop. Results indicated a significant response of wheat to both mineral and organic N fertilization. The morphological characteristics of the crop increased significantly with N fertilization. The maximum response was observed at the highest N rate (mineral N 150 kg N + 120 kg P2O5 ha − 1). In comparison to control, combinations of organic and mineral N increased most of the traits significantly, but generally had a non-significant difference among each other. Single or combined application of mineral N fertilizer with FYM increased grain yield significantly over control. A maximum of 72% increase in yield was recorded at the highest N application rate applied with P (150 kg N + 120 kg P2O5 ha − 1). The recommended level of N (120 kg N ha − 1) applied in T2 increased grain yield by 24% while an 11% increase in yield was recorded in T6 where FYM was applied alone. Integrated use of mineral N + FYM had a significant effect and a maximum of 35% increase in yield was recorded in T4 where ½ mineral N + ½ FYM were applied. The economic analysis of data showed that the treatment T4 had an economical net return of Rs. 1776 with a VCR of 8.39 and therefore recommended for Rawalakot conditions. This study indicates that the combination of mineral fertilizers with organic manures helps in increasing the yield of wheat and implies a savings of almost 50% cost compared to a system with only mineral N application.