Wheat yield and nutrients accumulation as affected by humic acid and chemical fertilizers
2002
Sharif, M. | Khattak, R.A. | Sarir, M.S. (NWFP Agricultural Univ., Peshawar (Pakistan). Dept. of Soil and Environmental Sciences)
Lignitic coal derived humic acid (HA) has shown promising results in increasing crop production as low cost natural fertilizer source. A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar (Tarnab soil series) to study the effect of 0.5 and I.0 kg ha-1 HA alone and in combination with full (120-90-60 kg ha-1) and half recommended doses (60-45-30 kg ha-1) of NPK to determine the extent to which the yield and nutrients accumulation by wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Fakhr-e- Sarhad) is affected. Addition of 0.5 and 1.0 kg ha-1 HA alone and in combination with half and full dose of NPK increased wheat grains by 25 to 69 %, total dry matter 36 to 65 % significantly (P less than 0.05) over control. N and P concentrations of post harvest soil and their accumulation by wheat increased significantly (P less than 0.05) over control with 0.5 and 1.0 kg ha-1 HA applied alone and in combination with NPK. Soil organic matter content improved by 13 to 38 % with HA alone and in combination with NPK as compared to control due to improved crop roots mass. Soil concentrations of Zn, Mn and Cu and plants accumulation of Fe and Cu increased significantly (P less than 0.05) with the addition of HA. The beneficial effects of HA appear to be associated with its chelating power of nutrients along with its impact on physicochemical and biological properties of soil. Results suggest that addition of HA with half dose of NPK produced significant and economical wheat yield with maximum nutrient accumulation and it may be utilized as a promising source of cheap organic fertilizer for increasing crop productivity.
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