Efficacy of Seaweed Extract in Enhancing Wheat Productivity in an Inceptisol of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Integrated nutrient management may reduce reliance on conventional fertilisers while sustaining wheat productivity. A field experiment was conducted during the 2022–2023 rabi season at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to evaluate combinations of recommended fertilisers, nano urea, NPK-consortia biofertiliser, and Sagarika granular and liquid formulations in an Inceptisol. Eleven treatments were arranged in a randomised block design with three replications. Plant height, tiller number, plant population, chlorophyll content, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index were assessed. Treatment effects differed significantly for the evaluated growth and yield parameters. Treatment T11, comprising 50% urea, 100% DAP and MOP, NPK-consortia biofertiliser, foliar nano urea, and Sagarika liquid, recorded the highest plant height (94.53 cm), tiller number (8.33 plant⁻¹ at 90 DAS), chlorophyll content (56.80 SPAD), ear length (12.87 cm), grains per ear (80.00), test weight (53.03 g), grain yield (45.67 q ha⁻¹), straw yield (63.67 q ha⁻¹), and biological yield (109.33 q ha⁻¹). The highest harvest index (47.58%) was recorded under T9. These findings indicate that integrating reduced soil-applied urea with mineral fertilisers, biofertiliser, foliar nano urea, and Sagarika may support wheat growth and productivity under the tested soil and climatic conditions. Multi-season and multi-location validation is required before wider recommendation.