The Effect of Long-Term and Integrated Application of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers on the Production of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) in Fixed Plots

Theintegrated application of organic and chemical fertilizers is inevitable for sustainable production and soil conservation. To evaluate the effect of the integrated and long-term application of chemical and organic fertilizers on the Brat variety wheat production in fixed plots, research was carried out in Ahvaz city in six treatments with three replications for four years (2017-2021) in the form of randomized complete block design. The treatments included T1: unfertilized control, T2: application of nitrogenous, phosphorus and potassium chemical fertilizers based on soil test, T3: application of 20 tons of cattle manure every two years + 75% of recommended nitrogen + 50% of the recommended phosphorus and potassium, T4: application 20 tons of bagasse every two years + 75% of the recommended nitrogen + 50% of the recommended phosphorus and potassium, T5: annual application of 20 tons of cattle manure + 75% of the recommended nitrogen, T6: annual application of 20 tons of bagasse + 75% of the recommended nitrogen. At the end of the growing season, wheat yield components were measured. The results showed that in integrated management treatments, the use of cattle manure was more effective than bagasse. The highest wheat grain yield was observed in the T2 and T3 treatments, respectively, at the rate of 4845 and 4473 kg ha-1, significantly higher than the grain yield in the control treatment (2350 kg ha-1). The highest profit-to-benefit ratio (in 1400) was obtained by applying T2 treatment (20.2). The benefit to cost ratio due to the integrated application of organic and chemical fertilizer management treatments (T4 and T3 treatments) was approximately 50% lower than the exclusive application of chemical fertilizers treatment. By recalculating the benefit to cost ratio based on the prices of inputs in the crop year 2023-2024, it was observed that the T2 treatment still had the highest benefit-to-cost ratio (13.4), but it decreased with a sharp slope. In contrast the benefit-to-cost ratio remained almost constant and stable due to the application of T3 and T4 treatments (in the range of 8 to 11). The results indicate that the integrated application of organic and chemical fertilizers will not only be effective in the sustainability of soil fertility and agricultural products but will also play an important role in the stability of the farmer's profit.