Effect of Hairamin and Fertilizer Application on Grain Yield and Its Attributes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Research farm of the Department of Agriculture, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala during Rabi season of 2021. Response of three wheat varieties to integrated nutrient management involving Hairamin (protein hydrolysate from human hair) and inorganic fertilizers (NPK) for grain yield and its attributes was studied in a field experiment. The soil was sandy loam, well-drained, alkaline (pH 7.23), low in nitrogen, medium in phosphorus, and high in potassium, with an electrical conductivity of 0.89 d/Sm. Eight treatments comprising a control and seven combination application of Hairamin, Azotobecter and recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers were evaluated in three wheat varieties “DBW 222", "HD 2967" and "PBW 723” in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The T7 treatment, 75% recommended N, P, K dose throughout synthetic fertilizers and appropriate dose of Hairamin foliar spray, exhibited highest grain yield, biological yield and harvest index. This treatment was shown to be statistically comparable to T6 (50% recommended N, P, K dose throughout synthetic fertilizers and appropriate dose of Hairamin Foliar spray). This increase in yield was reflected in higher expression of yield attribute in traits namely (ears per running meter row length, spikelets ear-1, grains ear-1, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index). Therefore, use of Hairamin as bio-stimulant with reduced fertilizer doses is recommended for sustainable wheat production.