GRAIN YIELD, PHOSPHORUS CONTENT AND UPTAKE OFWHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) AS AFFECTED BY PHOSPHORUS FERTIGATION

Abstract

Most of the Pakistani soils are alkaline and calcareous in nature; therefore the efficiency of P-uptake by wheat is
low. Among the agronomic practices that influence the efficiency of applied fertilizer, time and method of
application are critically important. Fertigation is one of the techniques which enable the application of water
soluble fertilizers and other chemicals along with irrigation water to the plant, uniformly and more efficiently. Two
years field studies on wheat was undertaken to compare the response of P applied in the irrigation water with
broadcast method. The treatments include: control (no P applied), P applied through broadcast method (farmers
practice) and P applied with irrigation water (Fertigate P). The experiment was conducted in four replications using
randomized complete block design. Generally, fertigated applied P increase grain yield, P content and P-uptake in
wheat as compared to broadcast method. In wheat, fertigated P increased grain yield by 7-8%, P content by 8-16%
and P uptake by 15 to 23% during two cropping years as compared to broadcast method. In conclusion, the use of P
fertilizer through fertigation could be useful technique to increase grain yield and P uptake in cereals.