Comparing System of Wheat Intensification with Normal Practices Under Different Levels of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer in Southeast Region of Afghanistan
Authors: Hekmat Abdul Wahab , Ahmadzai Mohammad Daud , Mohammadi Nazir Khan 
Published: May 2023

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of NPK and FYM under normal practice and system of wheat intensification (SWI). The soil of the experimental area was sandy loam with pH (8.4); and available N (117.3 kg ha-1), medium in available P (13.85 kg ha-1) and high in available K (270 kg ha-1). Mazar 99 variety of wheat was chosen for the study. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with 24 treatments combination and three replications on a plot size of 1.5 x 3 m. Different cropping system (Broadcast method of sowing and system of wheat intensification) and different levels of NPK (50, 75 and 100%) were taken in main plot. Different levels of farm yard manure (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) were assigned to sub plot in a split plot design. Application of 100 percent RDF under system of wheat intensification significantly influenced growth and growth attributes of wheat at different crop growth stages. Application of 100% RDF under system of wheat intensification (SWI) registered significantly higher plant height (23.4, 52.3, 77.7 and 82.9 cm), and dry matter accumulation (60, 257, 753 and 964 gram) at tillering, blooming, flowering and maturity stages and number of leaves (1130.0, 1722.3 and 2020.8) and number of tillers (187.9, 280.2 and 310) of wheat was also registered higher in same treatments at tillering, blooming and flowering stages of wheat respectively as compared to rest of the treatments. Different treatments of cropping system and different levels of RDF and FYM significantly influenced yield and yield attributes of wheat. Among the cropping system, M4 (100% RDF + SWI) registered significantly higher grain yield (3794.3 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6096.8 kg ha-1) as compared to rest of the treatments. Application of 100 percent farm yard manure recorded significant and maximum grain yield (3553.7 kg ha-1) as compared to rest of the treatments. While, the minimum grain yield (3060.8 kg ha-1) was recorded in S1 due to application of 0% FYM. Similarly, application of 100 percent farm yard manure recorded significantly higher straw yield (5935.5 kg ha-1) as compared to rest of the treatments. However, the lower grain yield (3060.8 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5373.4 kg ha-1) was observed in S1 due to application of zero percent farm yard manure. The interaction of 100% RDF + SWI with 100 % FYM showed highest grain yield (4060.0 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6450.0 kg ha-1) as compared to rest of the treatments. vOn the basis of economic analysis it is concluded that wheat cv. ‘Mazar 99’ sown under system of wheat intensification treated by 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (120-60-60 kg NPK/ha) accompanied with 20% N through FYM proved to be the most remunerative dose which will increase the grain yield of wheat by 33 percent as compared to M1S1 due to application of 100% RDF + 0% FYM under broadcast method of sowing. However, SWI will increase the net return by 36 percent as compared to broadcast method of sowing.