PJB-2022-545
Efficacy of liquid and solid fertilizers for improving fertilizer use efficiency and yield of wheat on calcareous soil
Anam Aijaz
Abstract
The field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of liquid and solid NPK fertilizers for improving fertilizer use efficiency and yield of wheat on calcareous soil. Using 3 factorial RCBD with four replicates. Treatment plan was included three factors; a) three levels of Solid NPK fertilizers i.e. 0, 100% and 50% of recommended rate. b) two levels of liquid NPK fertilizers (8-8-15) i.e. 0 and 20 litres per acre. c) two levels of liquid K sprayed on foliage i.e. 0, 2% K. As compared to 100% of conventional NPK, liquid NPK with solid NPK improved plant height by 4-8% while liquid NPK plus foliar with solid NPK increased plant height by 12 to 24%, total tiller per plant by 2-4% and 1-4%, fertile tiller per plant by 2-4% and 2-5%, spike length by 1-15% and 11-18%, number of spikelets per spike by 5-10% and 7-17%, grain per spike by 8-55% and 60-71%, 1000 grain weight by 14-21% and 21-26%, chlorophyll content by 3-6% and 6-15%, photosynthetic rate by 1-4% and 14-19%, transpiration rate by 6-7% and 28-39%, stomatal conductance by 1-13% and 4-39%, water use efficiency by 6-15% and 7-14% , 17-21% and 5-12% biological yield, grain yield by 9-11% and 10-12%. Solid and liquid fertilization can mitigate this yield gap which was rightly predicted by the findings of this field study. We found that plots where liquid NPK was plus solid NPK was applied showed maximum improvement in yield attributes, grain yield, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency compared to alone NP application. Our findings also suggests that K fertilization should be made essential part of wheat nutrition management for higher yield and better quality of produce.
Keywords: Wheat, foliar K, FUE, NPK uptake, yield
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