Response of Wheat Crop to Phosphorus Levels and Application Methods

Abstract

A field study was carried out at New Developmental Farm of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan during winter 2010-2011 to investigate the effect of phosphorus levels and application methods on yield and yield components of wheat. The experiment consisted of phosphorus levels (0, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg ha^-1) and application methods (broadcast, single band and double band). Randomized complete block (RCB) design with split plot arrangements having four replications was used. Results indicated that application of phosphorus at the rate of 100 kg ha^-1 through double band placement significantly (P<0.05) enhanced plant height, productive tillers m^-2, grains spike^-1, 1000 grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, harvest index and agronomic phosphorus efficiency of wheat crop and reduced non productive tillers m^‑2 compared with other treatments.