Grain Yield and Phenology of Maize Cultivars Influenced by Various Phosphorus Sources

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to investigated the impact of P sources {DAP (Diammonium phosphate), NP (Nitrophos), TSP (Triple super phosphate) and SSP (Single super phosphate)} on maize penology, yield and yield component at two maize varieties (Pahari and Baber) at Swat during summer 2014. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having three replications. Phenological parameters yield and yield components were significantly affected by P sources and varieties.  DAP sources was significantly delayed days to maturity while TSP sources was increased plant height (cm), grains ear^-1, thousand grains weight, biological yield (kg ha^-1) and grain yield (kg ha^-1). Plant height and thousand grains weight was significantly increase by Pahari variety while delayed maturity and increase of grains ear^-1, biological yield (kg ha^-1) and grain yield (kg ha^-1) was observed in Baber variety. This study suggested that application of TSP and sowing of Baber variety performed better as compared to other sources and Pahari variety.

Keywords: Phosphorus sources, Varieties, Grain yield, phenology, yield and yield components.