TITLE:
Phosphorus Solubility from Rock Phosphate Mixed Compost with Sulphur Application and Its Effect on Yield and Phosphorus Uptake of Wheat Crop
AUTHORS:
Kashif Khan, Muhammad Sharif, Imran Azeem, Ibadullah, Adnan Anwar Khan, Sajid Ali, Imran Khan, Aamir Khan
KEYWORDS:
Phosphorus Solubility, Rock Phosphate, Compost, Sulphur, Wheat Crop
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.7 No.12,
December
22,
2017
ABSTRACT: A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sulphur application with Rock phosphate mixed compost on phosphorus (P) solubility and its effect on yield and P uptake of wheat crop. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar. The experiment was conducted during rabi 2015-16 with plot size of 3 m × 5 m. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were applied at the rate of 120, 90 and 60 kg·ha-1 in the form of urea, compost, or single super phosphate and potassium sulphate, respectively. Elemental sulphur was applied at the rate of 10, 20 and 30 kg·ha-1 at the time of sowing. Results showed that sulphur applied with compost significantly improved wheat yield and yield components, soil organic matter, soil total N and AB-DTPA extractable P contents, plant N and P concentrations and their uptake, plant micronutrients concentration and their uptakes. No significant changes were noted in soil pH, ECe and lime contents. Maximum grain yield of 4076 kg·ha-1, total dry matter yield 9721 kg·ha-1, straw yield 5644 kg·ha-1, plant height 98.3 cm, spike length 11.2 cm, grain per spike 61.0, thousand grain weight 50.2 g were recorded on the application of S at the rate 20 kg·ha-1 with compost. The highest soil organic matter content of 1.41% was found for the application of S at the rate of 10 kg·ha-1 with compost. Maximum soil total N content of 1756 mg·kg-1 and P 5.7 mg·kg-1 were observed by the application of double recommended S with compost. Plant N uptakes of 125.7 kg·ha-1, and P uptake of 17.5 kg·ha-1, were maximum with application of compost and S @ 20 kg·ha-1. Highest plant uptake of Fe 0.56 kg·ha-1, Zn 0.41 kg·ha-1, Cu 0.16 kg·ha-1 and Mn 0.93 kg·ha-1 were found by the application of full recommended S with compost. Results suggested that S at the rate of 20 kg·ha-1 application with compost prepared from farm yard manure and rock phosphate proved better combination to enhance wheat yield, yield components and nutrients uptakes of wheat crop.