Comparative performance of some newly evolved wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under different phosphorus levels

A field experiment on comparative performance of some newly evolved wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under different phosphorus levels was conducted at Agronomic Research Area University of Agriculture Faisalabad, during 2011-12. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement by using three replications, with net plot size of 5 m x 1.8 m. The experiment consisted of five phosphorus levels viz. P0 (0 kg P2O5 per ha), P1 (60 kg P2O per ha), P2 (90 kg P2O5 per ha), P3 (120 kg P2O5 per ha) and P4 (150 kg P2O5 per ha) and three varieties viz. V1: Sehar-2006, V2: AARI-2011 and V3: Punjab-2011. Crop was sown on 20th November on well prepared seedbed in 22.5 cm apart rows with hand drill using seed rate of 125 kg per ha. The data related to yield and quality components of crop were recorded using standard procedures. Application of phosphorus @ 120 kg P2O5 per ha gave maximum plant height at maturity (104.5 cm), total number of tillers (404.2), productive tillers (369.6), spike length (11.4 cm), number of spikelets per spike (18.2), number of grains per spike (48.8), 1000-grain weight (45.7 g), biological yield (13.40 t per ha), grain yield (5.75 t per ha) and straw yield (7.6 t per ha), while grain protein contents were maximum (14.99 %) with no phosphorus against minimum with highest rate of P application. Among varieties Punjab-2011 recorded maximum number of total tillers (402.6), productive tillers (359.2), plant height (104.6 cm), spike length (11.9 cm), number of spikelets per spike (15.7), grains/spike (44.2), grain yield (5.23 t per ha), biological yield (12.09 t per ha) and straw yield (6.9 t per ha). However, all the three varieties under study did not vary significantly in grain protein content. Interactive effect of phosphorus and varieties was non-significant on all the recorded parameters. Economic analysis showed that maximum income and benefit cost ratio was obtained when we applied phosphorus at 90 kg per ha. Any further increase in phosphorus level decreased benefit cost ratio for all varieties.