Journal of Environmental Biology

Increase in growth, productivity and nutritional status of wheat

(Triticum aestivum L. cv. WH-711) and enrichment in soil

fertility applied with organic matrix entrapped urea

Manoj Kumar¹, Kuldeep Bauddh¹, Sanjeev Kumar¹, Manish Sainger²,
Poonam A. Sainger³ and Rana P. Singh¹*

¹Department of Environmental Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226 025, India

²Centre for Biotechnology, M.D. University, Rohtak-124 001, India

³Department of Environmental Science, M.D. University, Rohtak-124 001, India

*Corresponding Author email : ranapsingh1@hotmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

08 September 2011

Revised received:

26 June 2012

Accepted:

26 July 2012

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during two consequent years in semi-arid, subtropical climate of Rohtak district situated in North-West Indian state Haryana to evaluate the effects of eco-friendly organic matrix entrapped urea (OMEU) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. WH-711). The OMEU prepared in granular form contained cow dung, rice bran (grain cover of Oryza sativa), neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves and clay soil (diameter of particles <0.002mm) in 1:1:1:1 ratios and saresh (plant gum of Acacia sp.) as binder entrapping half of the recommended dose of urea. A basal application of organic matrix entrapped urea showed increase in plant growth in terms of fresh and dry weights, root length, root number, leaf number, tillers, plant height, earlet number, earlet length and  productivity in terms of grain yield and straw yield over free form of urea (FU) and no fertilizer (NF) application. The OMEU increased total soluble proteins, organic N and free ammonium content in the leaves at 45 and 60 days. The nutritional status of wheat grains in OMEU applied plants was almost similar to that observed for FU applied plants. An increase in organic carbon and available phosphorus (P) was observed in OMEU applied plots on harvest, whereas pH was slightly decreased over FU applied plots. The microbial population and activity in terms of fungal and bacterial colony count and activities soil dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in OMEU applied plots as compared to the FU applied plots. Our data indicate that OMEU which are low cost, biodegradable and non-toxic can be used to replace the expensive chemical fertilizers for wheat cultivation in semi-arid, subtropical climate.

Key words

Cowdung, Organic matrix entrapped urea, Plant growth, Saresh (plant gum of Acacia sp.), Yield

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