18. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization of improved varieties for enhancing phenological traits of wheat
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Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at New Developmental Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar during rabi 2012-2013 to study the effect of N and P fertilization of improved varieties for enhancing yield and yield components of wheat varieties. Randomized Complete Block (RCB) Design with split plot arrangement having three replications was used. A sub plot size of 12 m2 having ten rows of 4 m length was used. N levels (100, 125 and 150 kg ha-1) and P levels (60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) were applied to the main plots and wheat varieties (Siran-2010 and Atta-Habib) were assigned to the sub plots and one control having no N and P was maintained in main plot treatment. All of the phosphorus and half of the nitrogen were applied at sowing time. The remaining N was applied at tillering stage. The results of the experiment showed that maximum days to anthesis (137), days to maturity (167), number of leaves tiller-1 (6), leaf area tiller-1 (117 cm2) and leaf area index (4.38) were produced by Siran-2010 while maximum plant height (98 cm) was maintained by Atta-Habib. Maximum leaf area index (4.64), were produced by 125 kg N ha-1 while nitrogen application at the rate of 150 kg ha-1 took maximum days to anthesis (140), days to maturity (170), number of leaves tiller-1 (6), leaf area tiller-1 (121 cm2), non-productive tillers m-2 (19) and plant height (100 cm). Phosphorus application at the rate of 90 kg ha-1 produced highest leaves tiller-1 (6), leaf area tiller-1 (121 cm2) and leaf area index (4.61). Phosphorus level of 120 kg ha-1 produced maximum non-productive tillers m-2 (19) and plant height (100 cm). Fewer days to anthesis (130) and maturity (160) were taken by control plots. It is concluded that wheat variety Siran-2010 produced better phonological traits when treated with 125 kg N ha-1 and 90 kg P ha-1.
Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.); Varieties; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Penological traits