Response of bread wheat to integrated application of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to determine effects of vermicompost, inorganic fertilizers and their combinations on nutrient uptake, yield and yield components of wheat. A factorial combination four levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 tha-1) of vermicompost and four levels (0, 33.33, 66.67 and 100% ha-1) of the recommended NPK fertilizers was laid out in RCB design with three replications. Bread wheat variety, Kekaba was used as a test crop. Main effect results indicated that both vermicompost and NPK fertilizers significantly increased yield components, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat. Vermicompost applied at 2, 4 and 6 tha-1 increased grains yield of wheat by 11, 17 and 26% over control respectively whereas 33.33, 66.67 and 100% NPK fertilizers increased the grain yield by 10, 24 and 30%, respectively over the control. Vermicompost applied at 6 tha-1 resulted in the highest nutrient uptake and it increased grain uptake of N, P and K by 51, 110 and 89% over control respectively whereas among fertilizer rates, the highest uptake was produced by 100% NPK treatment and it increased the N, P and K uptake in the grain by were 79, 100 and 96% over control respectively. Combined application of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers has also significantly increased nutrient uptake, yield and yield components of wheat. It is concluded that wheat responds significantly to application of vermicompost and NPK fertilizers suggesting that nutrient contents of experimental soil is low for optimum production of wheat. Field verification and demonstration of results are recommended. Key words: Soil fertility, Nutrient uptake, Grain and biomass yield, Yield components.