Growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by levels of farmyard manure and nitrogen

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 1996–97 and 1997–98 on sandy-loam soils of Hisar, Haryana, to study the effect of farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Application of graded levels of nitrogen and recommended dose of NPZn fertilizer significantly enhanced number of tillers at 45 days after sowing, plant height, dry-matter accumulation, effective tillers, grains/spike, grain, straw and biological yields. The plant height, dry-matter accumulation, effective tillers, grains/spike, grain, straw and biological yields increased significantly with the graded levels of FYM up to 20 tonnes/ha, but the response decreased with the increase of FYM from 20 to 30 tonnes/ha. Interactive effect of FYM and nitrogen levels on grain yield of wheat showed that integration of recommended NPZn and 10 tonnes FYM/ha or 120 kg N/ha and 20 tonnes/ha FYM was found to be superior than other combinations.