Organic sources, nitrogen and tillage systems improve wheat productivity and profitability under semiarid climates

Tillage, organic sources and nitrogen play a great role in improving soil fertility and crop productivity. To investigate the impact of organic sources and nitrogen levels on the productivity and profitability of wheat under tillage systems, a field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during winter 2015. The design used was randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement, using three replications. The results showed that the treatments had significant effect on the productivity of wheat. Among the organic sources, application of poultry manure improved yield components (spike m-2, grains spike-1 and thousand grains weight), grain yield and net returns (poultry manure>sheep manure>cattle manure). Application of N at the rate of 125 kg N ha-1 (urea) was more beneficial in terms of yield components, grain yield and net returns (125≥ 150 >100 >75>0 kg N ha-1). Similarly, the plots ploughed with deep tillage system (mould board plough) produced higher yield components, grain yield and net returns than conventional plough. On the basis of results we concluded that application of poultry manure, nitrogen at the rate of 125 kg N ha-1 with deep tillage could improve wheat productivity and profitability in the semiarid condition.