Vol. 10, Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
RM Muchhadiya, RB Thanki, HL Sakarvadia and PM Muchhadiya

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted on medium black calcareous soil at Junagadh (Gujarat) during rabi season of 2019-20 to study the effect of NPK levels and city compost on soil chemical and biological properties, yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under and system of wheat intensification (SWI). Total twelve treatment combinations, consisting of three system of sowing (S₁: normal practice at 22.5 cm, S₂: SWI at 20 cm × 20 cm and S₃: SWI at 25 cm × 25 cm) were assigned to main plot and four fertility levels (F₁: city compost 10 t/ha, F₂: 50% RDF + city compost 5 t/ha, F₃: 75% RDF + city compost 5 t/ha and F₄: 100% RDF) were allotted to sub plots in a split plot design with three replications. The results revealed that sowing of wheat under SWI recorded significantly higher values of protein yield (562.63 kg/ha) and total fungal, bacterial as well as Azotobacter count in soil. SWI at 20 cm × 20 cm produced significantly maximum grain yield (5070 kg/ha) and straw yield (8289 kg/ha). Application of 75% RDF (90-45-45 kg N- P₂O₅- K₂O/ha) + city compost 5 t/ha enhanced almost all the quality parameters viz., protein, gluten and fiber content in grain, protein yield, available N, P and K as well as organic carbon content in soil after harvest and soil microbial population viz., total fungal, bacterial, actinomycetes, Azotobacter, PSB and KSB count in soil, and resultantly gave higher grain yield (5975 kg/ha) and straw yield (8344 kg/ha).