Efficiency of fertilizer application methods for wheat crop under rainfed conditions
2008
Ansar, M. (Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Univ., Rawalpindi (Pakistan)) | Hussain, R. (Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Univ., Rawalpindi (Pakistan)) | Rashid, M. (Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Univ., Rawalpindi (Pakistan)) | Ansar, M.R. (Soil and Water Conservation Research Inst., Chakwal (Pakistan))
A study was conducted at Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan. Efficiency of five methods of fertilizer application viz. control (T1), broadcast (T2), drill placement of DAP and urea mixed with seed (T3), drill placement of DAP mixed with seed and urea as broadcast (T4) and drill placement of fertilizer and seed s-: separately (T5) was compared for wheat crop in rainfed area having seasonal rainfall 2-9 to 223 mm. During first year, moisture was low (99 mm) due to prolonged drought spell while in second year, it was 144 mm and during third year, moisture was really available (223 mm). Fertilizer application through drill consistently proved more efficient in wet (2002-03) and dry (2000-2001) years and produced yield greater than 4 tons hectare in good moisture year (T5). Dry year adversely affected yield and produced only up to half ton per hectare yield due to reduced efficiency of nutrient availability. Broadcast method proved to be the second choice for rainfed wheat growers, which reduced 0.41 tons per hectare in dry year and 2.7 tons per hectare in each year. Mixing of fertilizer with seed at recommended rates in drill did not prove as wise option. It caused 13 percent yield reduction in dry year and 142 percent in wet year. The results concluded that efficiency of fertilizer availability is largely associated with moisture availability. The drill placement of seed and fertilizer separately (T5) was found to be the most suitable method of wheat sowing in rainfed areas.
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