Organic substitution in fertilizer schedule: Impacts on soil health, photosynthetic efficiency, yield and assimilation in wheat grown in alluvial soil

Management of soil in agricultural ecosystem is considered to be important in maintaining soil health and soil carbon storage. Various combinations of inorganic fertilizers, FYM and crop residues were assessed in a wheat crop grown in alluvial soil for two consecutive years. We studied several attributes like soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total carbon (TC), soil carbon storage (SCS), soil moisture content (SMC), easily mineralizable N along with above ground and below ground biomass, photosynthetic rate and grain yields during various growth stages. Wheat biomass yield was increased with application of organic amendments, while carbon assimilation by plant photosynthesis during the reproductive stages enhanced with increment of SOC. We recorded about ∼10.88% and 10.52% organic SCS in soil depth of 0-15 cm and about ∼11.50% and 12.46% in soil depth of 15-30 cm under 100% NPK + CR + FYM and 80% NPK + CR + FYM treatments, respectively. Hence, CR and FYM in combination can maintain SOC stock considerably and 80% NPK + CR + FYM substitutes 20% inorganic fertilizer without compromising crop growth and development.