Growth, yield and nutrient uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) as affected by biofertilizers, FYM and nitrogen

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2006–07 and 2007–08 to study the effect of biofertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen levels on performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L emend Fiori & Paol.) at Bichpuri, Agra. Seed inoculation with Azotobacter and Azospirillum significantly increased the plant height, dry matter, yield attributes and yield of wheat over no inoculation. However, both were at par with respect to above-mentioned parameters. Higher mean grain yield of 4.443 tonnes/ha was recorded with 10 tonnes FYM/ha, which was 9.1 and 26.3% more than 5 tonnes FYM/ha and control, respectively. Application of 120 kg N/ha increased the growth, yield attributes and yield of wheat. The mean grain yield increased by 8.1 and 22.4% with the application of 120 kg N/ha compared with 90 and 60 kg N/ha, respectively. The uptake of N, P and K by wheat grain and straw also showed increasing tendency due to the treatments. Addition of these inputs showed positive changes in available N content of the soil. Available P and K content also increased due to FYM and nitrogen application. Biofertilizers did not influence the available K status of the soil.