PJB-2024-155
EFFECT OF FOLIAR AND SOIL APPLICATION OF PHOSPHORUS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF WHEAT
Said Amanullah
Abstract
Optimizing the quantity, timing, and method of phosphorus (P) fertilizer application is pivotal for enhancing the growth, yield, and yield components of wheat. This study investigated the effects of soil versus foliar application of P on wheat growth and yield during the winter season of 2022-23 at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with three replications, evaluating four P levels (0, 75, 100, 125 kg ha-1), three foliar P percentages (1%, 2%, 3%), and two application timings (once at booting, twice at booting). Each plot measured 2.4 m x 3 m, each row 3 m long with a row-to-row distance of 30 cm. A basal dose of nitrogen (150 kg N ha-1) in the form of urea was applied in three equal splits (33% each at sowing, first irrigation after emergence, and booting). Phosphorus was applied as single super phosphate (18% P2O5). Results indicated significant effects of both soil and foliar P application, P percentage, and application timing on various growth and yield attributes of wheat. Soil application of P significantly influenced days to tillering and booting stages, while foliar application impacted days to anthesis and maturity. Notably, soil applied P at 100 kg ha-1 produced the highest values for most parameters, closely followed by 125 kg ha-1. Among foliar P applications, 2% P applied twice at booting stage yielded the best results.
In terms of specific crop traits, soil application of P at 100 kg ha-1 resulted in the highest values for plant height (97.1 cm), number of leaves per plant (8), leaf area (33.3 cm2), spikes m-2 (286), thousand grains weight (43.0 g), grains per spike (48), biological yield (9214 kg ha-1), grain yield (4011 kg ha-1), and harvest index (44%). Similarly, plots treated with 2% foliar P exhibited the highest values for plant height (97.2 cm), number of leaves per plant (8), leaf area (32.3 cm2), spikes m-2 (284), thousand grains weight (42.9 g), grains per spike (46), biological yield (8870 kg ha-1), grain yield (3919 kg ha-1), and harvest index (44%). In conclusion, the study highlights that soil applied P at 100 kg ha-1 and 2% foliar P application twice at booting stage maximized wheat yield and its components in the study area. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing P fertilizer management strategies to enhance wheat productivity in similar agricultural contexts.
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