IMPACT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENTS MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) IN ORGANIC FARMING SYSTEM

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at the Agronomy Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur (Rajasthan), to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth, phenology, yield attributes and grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experimental site falls under the Semi-arid Eastern Plain Zone (Agroclimatic Zone IIIA) of Rajasthan. The study was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and three replications, involving varying combinations of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost and biofertilizer (Azotobacter). The wheat variety Raj3077 was used as the test crop. The results revealed that integrated application of organic manures and biofertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers significantly influenced wheat growth and productivity. Among all treatments, application of 10 t ha-1 FYM + 5 t ha-1 vermicompost in combination with Azotobacter consistently recorded superior performance in terms of plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and plant density at advanced growth stages. This treatment also resulted in earlier flowering and earlier attainment of physiological maturity compared to the control, indicating improved crop vigor and nutrient use efficiency. Yield attributes such as number of spikes per square meter, grains per spike, spike length and 1000-grain weight were significantly enhanced under INM treatments over the control. The highest grain yield (45.9 q ha-1) was obtained with the combined application of FYM, vermicompost and Azotobacter, followed by treatments involving 50–75% RDF supplemented with organic manures and biofertilizer. Sole application of chemical fertilizers or absence of nutrient input resulted in comparatively lower growth and yield performance. The improvement in wheat yield under integrated nutrient management can be attributed to sustained and balanced nutrient supply, improved soil physical and biological properties, enhanced microbial activity and better nutrient uptake throughout the crop growth period. The study clearly demonstrates that partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures and biofertilizers not only enhances wheat productivity but also promotes soil health and sustainability. Therefore, integrated nutrient management emerges as a viable and eco-friendly strategy for achieving higher wheat yields and long-term soil fertility under semiarid conditions