Effects of nutrient management and planting systems on root phenology and grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in split plot design (SPD) with 20 treatment combinations for two years (2007-08 and 2008-09) at NBPGR, New Area Farm, IARI, New Delhi during rabi seasons. Treatments were consist of two planting systems (conventional and FIRB) and 10 fertility treatments, viz. control, RDF, 75% RDF + FYM, 75% RDF + FYM + Zn, 75% RDF + FYM + Biofertilizer (BF) , 75% RDF + FYM + BF + Zn, RDF + FYM, RDF + FYM + Zn, RDF + FYM + BF and RDF + FYM + BF + Zn. Results revealed that the root dry weight, root volume, root length and root length density were recorded higher values in FIRB planting system than conventional system at all growth stages during both the years of investigation. Whereas in case of integrated nutrient management, root growth parameters of wheat, viz. root dry weight, root volume, root length and root length density were significantly higher at various observational growth stages when crop was supplied with combined application of RDF or 75% RDF along with FYM, biofertilizer and zinc over the control and treatment RDF only during both years of field study. However, specific root length was significantly lower under treatment receiving RDF or 75% RDF + FYM + BF + Zn as compared to control at 30 and 60 DAS during the years, 2007-08 and 2008-09. In case of wheat yield, 10.8 and 11.3% higher yield were registered with FIRB planting system over conventional system during 2007-08 and 2008-09. However in case of integrated nutrient management, RDF + FYM + BF + Zn treatment produced 50.39 and 52.73 q/ha wheat yield respectively.