Effect of INM on Growth Indices, Yield Attributes, Yield and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.)

The experiment was conducted at farmers field in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand during 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments viz. control (T1), 100 % RDF (T2), FYM @ 10 t/ha (T3), VC @ 5t/ha (T4), 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10t/ha (T5), 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha (T6), 50 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha (T7), 50 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha (T8), 50 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha + VC @ 5t/ha (T9), 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T10), 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11). The treatments were replicated thrice and were laid out in randomized block design (RBD). Wheat variety used for the experimentation was PBW 343. The net plot size was 5 m X 5 m and crop spacing was 20cm between rows. The results reported that wheat crop with the application of 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11) performed better in terms of growth parameters and yield under field condition compared to some of the treatments. Significantly higher B: C (2.9) ratio was calculated for 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11). Percent increase of 5.5 % and 3.6 % was recorded during 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively in grain yield with the application of 75 % RDF + VC @ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB (T11) over 100 % RDF (T2). Maximum net returns were estimated in treatment T10 (75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB) of Rs. 97288 and Rs. 102005 followed by treatment T11 (75 % RDF + VC@ 5 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB) during both the years. Sowing on 20th November with GW 451 produced the highest returns and benefit-cost ratio. These results suggest that combined application of 75 % RDF + vermicompost @ 5 t/ha+ Azospirillum + PSB or 75 % RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ Azotobacter + PSB is effective to get higher yield net return in wheat cultivation, providing valuable insights for farmers and researchers.