Yield and nutrient status of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum) as affected by sludge, compost, and biofertilizers under newly reclaimed soil

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 in Research and Production Station, National Research Centre, Al-Nubaria District, Al-Behaira Governorate, Egypt. This work was carried out to study the effect of sludge and compost application combined with biofertilizers on yield and yield components as well as nutrient content of grains. The obtained results showed that either sludge or compost as organic fertilizers increased most yield parameters, i.e., spike length, weight of spike, and number and weight of grains per spike. Grain and straw yield as well as biological yield ton/faddan increased by either sludge or compost as compared with chemical fertilizers. Nutrient uptake of wheat grain increased also by both fertilizer and dual application with either sludge or compost with biofertilizers. From the obtained results, it was revealed that application of compost or sludge with either "azotobacter" or yeast as biofertilizers has superior promoting effect on yield and yield components as well as nutrient content of the grains than chemical fertilizers. Thus, it can be recommended to substitute chemical fertilization by these organic and biofertilizers to obtain high productivity of wheat.