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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Optimising wheat productivity through graded nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilisation and rice-straw biochar-farmyard manure integration in the rice-wheat system of Punjab

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14431
Submitted
6 March 2026
Published
18-05-2026

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2024–25 at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, to evaluate graded nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) fertiliser levels   [100 % recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) vs. 75 % nitrogen (N) with varying phosphorus - potassium (P–K) combinations] and organic amendments [control, 5 t ha–1 rice-straw biochar, 7.5 t ha–1  farmyard manure (FYM), 50:50 biochar: FYM] on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. PBW 826) grown in nutrient-poor sandy loam [0.49 % soil organic carbon (SOC)] under rice–wheat rotation. Using a strip-plot design (3 replications) measurements included growth, physiological parameters [relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), chlorophyll] and yield. 100 % RDF (M1) significantly outperformed deficient treatments, recording 24–35 % greater plant height (PH), 38–64 % more tillers, 32–97 % higher RWC/MSI/chlorophyll and 47 % greater grain yield (GY) (56.00 q ha–1) vs. M5 (38.21 q ha–1). Combined biochar: FYM (T4) proved superior among amendments, enhancing growth (10–17 %), physiological parameters (14–25 %) and yield (14 % over control; 50.13 q ha–1) through biochar's nutrient retention and FYM's labile N/microbial stimulation. Non-significant interactions indicated additive effects, with M1+T4 optimal. Biochar's porosity improved water retention/microbial habitats; full NPK sustained photosynthesis/remobilisation for grain filling. Potassium (K) omission caused severe penalties in vegetative/grain growth, underscoring the need for balanced nutrition. Results demonstrate that integrated 100 % RDF + 50:50 biochar: FYM optimises productivity (exceeding the Punjab average of ~45 q ha–1), valorises rice residue (mitigating stubble burning) and builds soil health in Punjab's depleted loams-offering sustainable integrated nutrient management (INM) for rice-wheat systems.

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