Enhancing Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Productivity through Precision Nutrient Management in North Bihar, India

Abstract

An on-farm trial was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 at farmers’ field on pre-selected ten locations of Muzaffarpur district in North Bihar, considering farmers as replication, in order to assess the fertilizer application based on soil testing for the yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in North Bihar, India. The experimental field having average soil pH of 8.60, EC of 0.35 dSm-1, organic carbon of 0.63 percent, nitrogen of 221.33 kg ha-1, phosphorus of 51.71 kg ha-1 and potassium of 149.98 kg ha-1. The results revealed that nutrient management based on soil testing has a statistically significant impact on yield attributes, yield, and economics. The highest grain yield of 34.66 and 30.08 q ha-1 was found significantly in the soil test-based fertilizer application compared to the Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) (N120-P60-K40) and Farmers Practice (FP); (30.08 q ha⁻¹). The maximum net return (Rs. 27750 ha-1) and the B:C ratio (2.61) was found in the fertilizer application based on soil test relative to RDF (N120-P60-K40) and FP.