Abstract:
The experiment was conducted at the research field, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural
University during the period from November, 2019 to March, 2020 to study the effect
of combined application of biofertilizer and nitrogenous fertilizer on growth and yield
of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment comprised of single factor comprising
eight treatments. Azotobacter was incorporated with wheat seed as per treatment. This
experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three (3)
replications. The results revealed that treatment T₅ [Azotobacter (4 kg ha⁻¹) + 90 kg N
ha⁻¹] exhibited its superiority compared to that of other biofertilizer and nitrogenous
fertilizer treatments in terms of grain yield. Treatment T₅ out-yielded over T₈ (No
Azotobacter + 120 kg N ha⁻¹) by 5.26%, T₃ [Azotobacter (6 kg ha⁻¹) + 60 kg N ha⁻¹] by
7.57%, T₆ [No Azotobacter + 90 kg N ha⁻¹] by 8.64%, T₇ [Azotobacter + 120 kg N ha⁻¹]
by 13.69%, T₄ [No Azotobacter + 60 kg N ha⁻¹] by 15.18% and T₂ [Azotobacter (8 kg
ha⁻¹)] by 25.00% higher grain yield. Treatment T₅ also showed the tallest plant at 90
DAS (107.53 cm), the highest number of spikelets per spike (19.47), the highest number
of grains per spike (75.93), the longest spike (15.70 cm), the maximum weight of 1000grain
(48.90
g),
the highest straw yield (7.68 t ha⁻¹) and the maximum harvest index
(38.76%) than other treatments in this experiment. On the other hand, the treatment T₁
[Control (No Azotobacter, No N as urea)] returned with 69.88% lower yield than
treatment T₅ which was significantly the lowest compared with other treatments under
study. In case of soil properties, the highest soil pH (6.21) and the highest soil organic
matter (1.58%) in post-harvest soil was recorded from the treatment T₅ [Azotobacter (4
kg ha⁻¹) + 90 kg N ha⁻¹]. Considering the soil nutrients, the maximum total N (0.11%),
the maximum available phosphorous (25.96 ppm), the maximum available sulphur
(20.73 ppm) and the highest exchangeable K (0.129 me%) in post-harvest soil was
recorded from the treatment T₅ [Azotobacter (4 kg ha⁻¹) + 90 kg N ha⁻¹]. It can be said
that Azotobacter along with nitrogenous fertilizer improved soil chemical properties
along with increased availability of essential plant nutrients in soil solution.
Azotobacter (4 kg ha⁻¹) + 90 kg N ha⁻¹ application seemed promising for producing
higher grain yield of wheat and sustaining soil productivity.
Description:
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka,
in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)
IN
SOIL SCIENCE
SEMESTER: JANUARY–JUNE, 2021
