Synergistic effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers with Kappaphycus alvarezii bio-stimulant on yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

This study investigates the synergistic effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers, augmented with a bio-stimulant derived from Kappaphycus alvarezii, on key yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index were evaluated to assess the productivity and efficiency of wheat cultivation under various treatment combinations. Significant interactions among the three factors i.e., inorganic (NPK), organic fertilizer (FYM), and bio-stimulant (Seaweed-based) were observed in grain yield, with the highest yield of 70.40 q ha^-1 recorded in T₁₈ (RDF @100% + FYM@16.5 t ha^-1 + SWBS@1250 ml ha^-1) in pooled basis. Straw yield also showed significant responses, with T₁₈ exhibiting the highest yield of 105.60 q ha^-1 in pooled basis. In terms of biological yield, T₁₈ yielded the highest at 176.00 q ha^-1 in pooled basis, indicating substantial biomass production. Furthermore, the harvest index, representing the efficiency of grain production, was notably high in T₁₈ at 40.00% in pooled basis. These findings underscore the potential of integrated fertilizer and bio-stimulant applications in enhancing wheat productivity and resource use efficiency.