Effect of Different Methods of Phosphorus Application on Growth and Agronomic Traits of Wheat Under Arid and Semi- Arid Conditions of Bannu Division

Abstract

The effect of different methods of Phosphorus application was tested on wheat for two seasons, Rabi 2022-23 and 2023-24 at Agricultural Research Station Serai Naurang (Bannu) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.  Five methods of application such as application by broadcast method (MP1), application through mixing with seed at the time of sowing (MP2), placing by drill below the seed at the time of sowing (MP3), placing by drill on one side of the row of crop (MP4) and placing by drill with both sides of the row of the crop (MP5) were tested. Variety Khaista-2017 was used during this investigation. The study was focused on growth traits and yield parameters. The highest significant grain yield (6864 kg ha^-1), biological yield (17990 kg ha^-1), 1000 grain weight (50 grams), grain per spike (66), tillers m^-2 (441), spike m^-2 (449), plant height (100.15 cm) and harvest index (38.58 %) were noted when Phosphorus was placed by drill on both sides of the crop row. The 2nd most encouraging results were recorded for the method of placing by drill on one side of crop row. This research will help to solve food security problem. Findings of this research will also assist farming community to use suitable method of Phosphorus application and update their production technology. Moreover, by applying results of this research, plant breeders will evolve and develop genotypes of wheat with great potential.