Integration of Organic, Synthetic Fertilizers and Micronutrients for Higher Growth and Yield of Wheat

An experiment to investigate the effect of organic, synthetic fertilizers and micronutrients on growth and yield of wheat was conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) using splitplotarrangements with four replications. Main plot consisted of NPK and organic fertilizers whilemicronutrients viz. Zn, Cu and B (alone and in combinations) were assigned to sub-plots. The results revealed significant variations in plant growth and yield attributes with recommended doses of NPK fertilizers. This treatment (NPK at recommended levels) resulted in higher leaf area index (0.33 and 0.27 [49 days after sowing-DAS] and 2.03 and 2.77 [98-DAS]), crop growth rate (40.42 and 40.96 g m^-2 day^-1), relative growth rate (88.94 and 84.14 mg g^-1 day^-1), net assimilation rate (3.58 and 3.89 mg m^-2 day^-1) and grain yield (4.40 and 5.29 t ha^-1) during the years of experimentation. Similar trend was also noted by the application of micronutrients (alone and in combination with NPK). Addition of boron @ 2 kg ha^-1 enhanced almost all growth parameters. The use of NPK and organic fertilizers had, however, non-significant interaction with micronutrients during both the experimental years. It was concluded that application of NPK (recommended dose) along with boron was the best combination for obtaining higher yields of wheat.