Optimizing rates and application time of potassium fertilizer for improving growth, grain nutrients content and yield of wheat crop

摘要

Nutrient management is a key component of best agronomic practices for optimal crop production. The continuous use of high yielding genotypes and exhaustive cropping systems has resulted in potassium deficiency. Furthermore, the imbalanced use of nutrients, particularly potassium (K), has resulted in persistent depletion from agricultural soils. To address this issue, a field experiment was conducted to determine the influence of different potassium levels under a split application on yield and yield attributes of wheat crops. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. Five K levels (0, 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg hasup?1/sup) and different K application timings (whole dose (Basal) at sowing, equal doses at sowing+ 30 DAS, half dose at sowing+ equal doses at 30 +60 DAS and equal doses at sowing+30+60+ 90 DAS). The findings of the study revealed that potassium levels and their application times substantially influenced yield and yield components of wheat. The application of K at 120 kg hasup?1/sup delayed anthesis and maturity and enhanced chlorophyll content (53), tillers msup?2/sup (293.4 msup?2/sup) and increased plant height (97.1cm). The application of K 80 kg hasup?1/sup significantly increased grain protein, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content which resulted in a higher (4227 kg hasup?1/sup) grain yield. In the case of K timings application, the higher grain yield (3758 kg hasup?1/sup) was achieved when K was applied one time at sowing time. It is concluded that K at the rate of 80 kg hasup?1/sup should be applied in full at sowing for achieving higher wheat production.