Bio-economic viability of rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under integrated fertilization regimes in Pakistan

To ensure the food security of rising human population, proportionate increase in yields of staple crops like wheat takes central place. To promote sustainable wheat cropping systems having the minimum environmental hazards and the maximum economic turn outs, source and dose optimization of organic wastes for specific cultivars occupies pivotal position. This field study investigated the response of rainfed wheat cultivars (NARC-2009 and Pakistan-2013) to different fertilization regimes involving two organic materials (poultry litter and farm yard manure) applied solely (12.5 and 20 tons ha(-1) respectively) and in conjunction with reduced doses of organic manures (50% of solo application on weight basis) and chemical fertilizers (50%% of solo application on weight basis). The grain yield (Gy), biological yield (By), harvest index (Hi) and economic indicators were recorded as response variables. NARC-2009 under sole application of Cf remained unmatched in term of Gy (4.32 t ha(-1)), By (9.85 t ha(-1)) and Hi (44%). The same cultivar under binary application of poultry litter+50% fertilizers followed it with Gy of 4.08 t ha(-1), which in turn was followed by combined application of farm yard manure+50% fertilizers. The solo application of chemical fertilizers incurred the highest cost (US$ 519) and also generated the highest net earnings (US$ 560) along with the value-cost and benefit-cost ratios, while it was followed by co-application of poultry litter and reduced doses of chemical fertilizers. To conclude with, the grain yield potential of wheat cultivars differed significantly, while binary application of poultry litter and reduced doses of chemical fertilizers have the potential to yield comparatively better wheat grain yield and economic turn outs under rainfed conditions, although those were not comparable to solo application of inorganic fertilizers.