Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Affected by Bio-Fertilizer and Seaweed Extract

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at crop research farm during Rabi season 2021-2022 at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P), to evaluate the influence of bio-fertiliser and seaweed extract on growth and yield of wheat. The 9 treatments consisting of Seed inoculation with Azotobacter (ASI) 20g/kg seed and 0% application of seaweed extract (SWE) (T1), ASI 20g/kg seed and 5% application of SWE (T2), ASI 20g/kg seed and 7.5% application of SWE (T3), Seed inoculation with PSB 20g/kg seed and 0% application of SWE (T4), Seed inoculation with PSB 20g/kg seed and 5% application of SWE (T5), Seed inoculation with PSB 20g/kg seed and 7.5% application of SWE (T6), Seed inoculation with both Azotobacter and PSB 10+10g/kg seed and foliar application of 0% SWE (T7), Seed inoculation with both Azotobacter and PSB 10+10g/kg seed and foliar application of 5% SWE (T8), Seed inoculation with both Azotobacter and PSB 10+10g/kg seed and foliar application of 7.5% SWE (T9), were carried in Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice. The results showed that seed inoculation with both Azotobacter and PSB 10+10g/kg seed and foliar application of 7.5% SWE at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) (T9) had superior values of growth parameters i.e., plant height (35.39, 82.58, 84.45 cm) and dry weight (6.19, 16.61, 18.03 g) at 60, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and harvest, respectively, and found more productive as it attained higher values of spikes/m2 (391.67), grains/spike (53.79), test weight (40.00), as well as grain (6.68 t/ha) and straw yields (10.68 t/ha) and proved statistically superior over other treatments but found at par to seed inoculation with both Azotobacter and PSB 10+10 g/kg seed and foliar application of 5% seaweed extract (T8).