Optimization of INM strategies for enhancing growth and yield attributes of hexaploidy wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The study examined the productivity of wheat under integrated nutrient management employing inorganic, organic and bio-fertilizers over the course of two consecutive Rabi seasons in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. During the Rabi season, the experiment was planned to use a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) for wheat “HD 2967” (Wheat variety) was planted during November with twelve treatments. These included: T1 - absolute control (no fertilizer), T2 - 100 % recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) through chemical sources and T3 to T12 - combinations of RDF (100 %, 75 %, or 50 %) with vermicompost (VC), poultry manure (PM) and biofertilizers (Azotobacter, PSB, KMB, ZSB, or NPK consortia). Pooled data indicated application of T9-75 % RDF + PM @ 1 t/ha + Azotobacter + PSB +KMB + ZSB resulted in highest plant height (98.26 cm), leaf area index (LAI) (4.72), dry matter (m-2) (1198.76 g m-2), number of spike (m-2) (307), spike length (10.51 cm), test weight (40.15 g), number of grains spike-1 (46.52), grain yield (5.39 t ha-1), straw yield (12.81 t ha-1) and harvest index (42.14 %).Keywords: biofertilizer; HD-2967; nutrient management; wheat; yield