Growth, productivity and profitability of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under rice–wheat cropping system as influenced by of in-situ microbial inoculated rice residue and nitrogen management

Continuous cropping of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in IGP deplete soil fertility and crop productivity. In order to maintain or enhance the sustainability of this system use of crop residues and biological formulation of microbes will be play an important role in this areas. Field experiment was conducted in rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at New Delhi, India to study the effect of microbial inoculated rice residue and N management on growth, productivity and economics of wheat under rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS). After rice harvest in both years, wheat variety “HD-2967” was grown on the same layout with applied treatments. Results of this experiment revealed that composting inoculated (CI) paddy straw mulch were recorded significantly higher effective tiller, spike length, spike weight, 1,000-grain weight(test weight) and yield during both the years. However, 100% RDN + Azotobacter (Liquid) was found maximum with regard to all yield and yield attributes characteristics. On economic comparison application of composting inoculated PSM with 100% RDN + Azotobacter gave maximum gross return and net returns.