Effect of foliar applications of K under the recommended dose of NP to wheat Triticum aestivum L.

An experiment was laid out to determine the effect to foliar application of h fertilizer tinder recommended close of NP on wheat in the experimental field of Agriculture Chemist (soils) Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam during the year (Rabi) 2005-2006. Homogenous seeds of a new wheat variety TD-1 was sown by drilling method at a row to row distance of 22.5 cm using a seed rate of 125 kg per ha in a four Replications Randomized Complete Block Design to test the treatments of NPK at the rate of (Kg per ha), T1 = 130-65 0.5% (At the time of 1st irrigation), T2 = 130-65 1%, T3 = 130-65 1.5%, T4 = 130-65 2%, T5 = 130-65 2.5%, T6 = 130-65 0%. NP fertilizer was applied in the form of urea and DAP. The full P with 1/3 of N was applied at the time of sowing while rest of N was split and to dressed at the time of various crop development stages. However, K solution was sprayed by using the napsak hand operated spray at their respective doses. It was found that plant height varied significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) between the treatments. Number of application of K resulted in taller plants (80.33cm) followed by foliar application of K at 0.5% under recommended dose of 130-65 kg NP per ha (71.33cm), while increase in foliar application of K rate resulted in lower plant height. The results revealed that number of tiller per plant affected significantly due to K fertilizer. K applied as foliar spray at 2.0 and 2.5 produced more number of tillers per plant (20.55 and 20.60), while no application or K applied at 0.5 and 1.0% produced minimum number of tillers (18.13, 18.43 and 18.89 per plant) respectively. Spike length varied significantly between the treatments. Longer spike were recorded when K was applied as foliar spray at 2.0% (13.94 cm), while further increase in K did not increased spike length. Whereas lower spike length was recorded under control level (8.89 cm) where K was not applied. Number of grai ns per spike showed that K applied at 2.0% as foliar spray resulted in greater number of grains (76.36 per spike), followed by 2.5 % K (72.18 per spike) where as minimum number of grains per spike were obtained under control conditions (57.82 per spike) where no K was applied. 1000 grain weight differed significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) between the K treatments. It was observed that K applied at 2.0% as foliar spray gave maximum 1000 grain weight (74.06 g), followed by 2.5% K (71.06g). Where as minimum 1000 grain weight (46.40 g) was obtained under control condition where K was not applied. Grain yield per ha affected significantly (P greater than or equal to 0.01) by the K treatments. Application of K at 2.0% as foliar spray gave higher grain yield (4892.50 kg per ha), followed by K at 2.5% (4755.00 kg per ha), while wheat receiving only recommended dose of 130-65 kg NP per ha gave lowest grain yield (4335.00 kg per ha) where K was not applied. It is concluded tha t K at 2.0% applied as foliar sprayed proved to be beneficial and gave maximum grain yield under recommended dose of 130-65 kg NP per ha, while further increase in K levels did not response more.