Wheat productivity and micronutrients availability in soil by the use of chemical and organic fertilizers under alkaline calcareous conditions

Integrated use of chemical fertilizers and manures may be a promising option to promote growth, yield and nutrient contents in plant tissues. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of chemical fertilizer of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and boron (B) along with manures, compost, and PGPR on yield and grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under alkaline calcareous conditions. Experimental plan comprised of soil addition (SA), foliar spray (FS), SA+FS of Zn, Fe and B in the form of nanoparticles (NPs) and bulk salt (BS) in combination with farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), press mud (PrM), compost and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), making ten treatments. Results revealed that chemical fertilizers either alone or in combination with manures, compost and/or PGPR markedly improved the grain yield and quality, highest improvement with SA+FS+FYM+PM+PrM+compost+PGPR (Integrated Application). The said treatment maximally improved the grain yield by 26% and 21.51%, chlorophyll contents 50% and 47.50%, photosynthetic rate 41.77% and 25.58%, and stomatal conductance 86.36% and 68.0% with NPs and BS, respectively compared to the control. Grain Zn concentration was improved by 177% and 144%, Fe 146% and 111%, B 343% and 237%, carbohydrates 26.11% and 21.27%, protein 25.1% and 20.64%, fiber 14.40% and 10.46% with Integrated Application in case of NPs and BS, respectively compared to the control. The plant available Zn in soil was increased by 269% and 183%, Fe 372% and 325%, and B 213% and 115% with Iintegrated Application in case of NPs and BS, respectively, compared to the control. However, highest benefit cost ratio was found 1.976 and 2.056 with SA+FS+PrM in case of NPs and BS, respectively. In conclusion, Zn, Fe and B in the form of SA+FS along with manures, compost and PGPR could be recommended to optimize grain yield and quality of wheat under alkaline calcareous conditions.