Abstract
Restoring soil fertility is essential to sustain crop production in order to meet the needs of the ever-blooming population. In this light, the present investigation was conducted on the same soil for two consecutive years (2014-2015 and 2015-2016) in Punjab, Pakistan, to determine the influence of press mud compost (PMC) and mineral fertilizers (NPK) on wheat growth, yield and soil properties. The experiment was composed of an unfertilized control and five inter-exchanging combinations of NPK and PMC (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100). 100% PMC (900 kg ha(-1)) was intermediate in wheat growth and yield between unfertilized and 100% NPK, this latter being the recommended dose of mineral nutrients (120, 100 and 60 kg ha(-1) of the respective N, P2O5, and K2O). The 50:50 combination of NPK and PMC determined the best growth and final yield (+ 19% vs. 100% NPK), despite an approximately 40% lower nutrient supply with respect to 100% NPK. Soil traits bulk density, pH, organic matter, total N, and available nutrients P and K significantly improved with 100% PMC. Based on the ANOVA, the 50:50 combination of NPK and PMC was no worse than 100% PMC in bulk density, available P and K, and it was a good compromise between 100% NPK and 100% PMC in organic matter content. Therefore, conjunctive use of PMC and NPK fertilizers appeared a good choice to improve wheat productivity and soil properties. Additionally, the use of PMC will lower the reliance on mineral fertilizers while restoring soil fertility and assuring environmental protection.