Enhancing Water Use Efficiency, Nitrogen Fixation Capacity of Mash Bean and Soil Profile Nitrate Content with Phosphorous and Potassium Application

摘要

A field study was designed primarily, to observe the effect of phosphorous and potassium application in terms of improving water use efficiency and nitrogen fixation capacity of mash bean and secondly, on the nitrate content of soil. The experiment was carried out during summer 2003 on a silty loam soil (Typic Ustochrepts) at Research Farm of University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi with phosphorous and potassium fertilization at recommended rates separately as well as in combination. The highest water use efficiency (1.04 kg mm-1 ha-1, 8% above control) and total fixed nitrogen (57.24 kg ha-1, 41.28% over control) was observed with treatment P + K fertilization at the rate of 80 and 40 kg ha-1, respectively. NO₃-N content of soil were significantly higher at 60-90 cm depth, highest (24.34 kg ha-1) being with phosphorous application at the rate of 80 kg ha-1.