INTEGRATED USE OF BIOFERTILIZERS AND ZINC SULPHATE FOR ENHANCED GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024 at the Govt Post College, Timergara District, Dir Lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, to evaluate the response of biofertilizers and zinc sulphate on the growth and yield of maize (Triticum aestivum). The experiment included treatments with phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB), Azotobacter, their combination (PSB + Azotobacter), and zinc sulphate at rates of 20, 25, and 30 kg/ha. The experimental soil was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in pH (7.8), and low in organic carbon (0.35%). The results indicated that the combined application of PSB, Azotobacter, and zinc sulphate at 30 kg/ha significantly enhanced the growth and yield parameters of maize. Specifically, it recorded the highest plant height (159.03 cm), plant dry weight (162.70 g/plant), crop growth rate (26.25 g/m²/day), number of cobs per plant (1.8), number of rows per cob (16.8), number of seeds per cob (553.4), 100-seed weight (29.3 g), grain yield (6.5 t/ha), straw yield (12.9 t/ha), and harvest index (33.8%). These improvements may be attributed to the synergistic effect of biofertilizers and micronutrient supplementation. Biofertilizers enhance nutrient availability and uptake, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, by promoting microbial activity in the rhizosphere. Zinc sulphate contributes to various physiological and enzymatic functions essential for crop development. The findings confirm that integrated nutrient management, using biofertilizers in conjunction with zinc supplementation, is an effective strategy for improving maize productivity while potentially reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers.