Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out during the Rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23 at experimental block, School of Agricultural Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University (SAS-SGRRU), Pathribagh, Dehradun, Uttarakhand to study the effect of various nutrient management approaches on NPK content, NPK uptake and protein content in wheat. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three organic nutrient management treatments in main plots i.e., organic farming practices (vermicompost @ 5 t ha^-1 + seed inoculation with Azotobacter and PSB + 2 sprays of vermiwash at 30 & 45 DAS); Natural farming practices (sieved cow dung @ 2.5 t ha-1 + seed treatment with Bijamrit + Jeevamrit @ 200 l ha^-1); and absolute control. The sub-plots comprised 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), 75% RDF, 50% RDF and 25% RDF. The experiment had three replications. The results revealed that the integration of organic farming practices, natural farming practices and different doses of NPK fertilizers influenced all the quality parameters in wheat grain during both the years. Organic farming practices exhibited 15% and 12% increment in protein content during 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively, compared to the absolute control; and 12% and 8% increase over natural farming practices. However, 75% RDF secured 10% and 7% more protein over 100 % RDF, 13% and 11% over 50% RDF and 19% and 10% over 25% RDF during both the consecutive years, respectively. Furthermore, NPK content and uptake by grains and straw were found to be higher in organic farming practices and 75% RDF as compared to other treatments. Thus, adoption of organic farming practices coupled with application of 75% NPK is recommended for enhancing protein, nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content, thereby sustaining nutritional quality of wheat in the western Himalayan zones of Uttarakhand.