Document Type : Promotional
Authors
1
Faculty Member of Soil and Water Research Department, South Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Jiroft, Iran.
2
Faculty Member of Soil and Water Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
3
Master of Science, Soil and Water Research Department, South Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Jiroft, Iran.
Abstract
To evaluate different fertilization methods on the quantitative yield and economic efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Chamran 2), a research-promotional study was conducted in the south of Kerman during the 2022-2023 agricultural year. In this pilot study, three treatments were compared in 1000 m² plots: 1) Control (farmers' conventional practice), 2) Soil-test-based chemical fertilization (including urea, superphosphate, and potassium sulfate), and 3) Integrated optimal nutrition (chemical fertilizer, manure, bio-fertilizer, and growth stimulants). Statistical analyses were performed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five random samplings from each plot serving as replications. At the end of the growing season, final grain yield and its key components were accurately measured. The results of the data analysis showed that the integrated nutrition treatment (Treatment 3) achieved the highest quantitative yield, with an average production of 7300 kg/ha of grain. This yield was significantly higher, showing 37% and 73% greater yield increases compared to the soil-test-based chemical fertilization (Treatment 2) and the control (Treatment 1) treatments, respectively. Despite the yield superiority of Treatment 3, an economic evaluation based on the benefit-cost ratio revealed that the soil-test-based chemical fertilization (Treatment 2) was the most economically efficient option, achieving the highest benefit-cost ratio (1.45). These findings clearly confirm that both soil-test-based fertilizer management methods (both chemical and integrated) are significantly superior to the conventional practice in terms of production. While the integrated nutrition approach offers the potential to achieve maximum possible yield, the application of chemical fertilizer based on soil testing provides greater short-term economic profit for the farmer. The final choice between these two methods will depend on the farmer's management strategy and main priorities.
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