Integrated nutrient management reduced the nutrient losses and increased crop yield in irrigated wheat

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen (N), the most vital nutrient, undergoes a transformation in the soil and was subjected to loss through ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and denitrification, which lower the soil fertility, crop yield and pollute the environment. Integrated nutrient management (INM) improves the nutrient supply system by integrating recommended dose fertilizers and biofertilizers, lessens the nitrogen losses, and synchronizes with the nutrient demand of the crop. To evaluate the impact of INM on minimization of N losses and improvement of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and growth parameters, a field experiment was conducted with different combinations of biofertilizers along with the recommended dosage of fertilizers. Application of NPK + Azotobacter + mycorrhiza (Tram) in combination was found to improve soil nitrogen dynamics, availability of P, K, microbial activity, root growth, urease activity, and nitrogen use efficiency as compared to NPK (Tr) only. The cumulative emission from ammonia flux in the INM plot varied from 10.2 to 10.6 kg ha⁻¹ and denitrification losses varied from 2.4 to 2.5 kg ha⁻¹. At the same time, these were recorded significantly higher in Tr plot. The yield obtained under the INM plot receiving Tram was recorded as 6.4 t ha⁻¹, which is higher than other treatments.

KEYWORDS:

• Integrated nutrient management
• ammonium volatilization
• denitrification
• nitrogen use efficiency
• sustainable crop production
• wheat yield

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India