Effects of Phosphorus Fertilizer Source and Plant Density on Growth and Yield of Maize in Northwestern Pakistan
2009
Amānullāh. | Asif, Muhammad | Malhi, Sukhdev S. | Khattak, Riaz A.
Phosphorus (P) fertilizer source and plant density are considered some of the most important factors affecting crop growth and yield. A field experiment was conducted to determine the impact of P source [zero-P control, DAP (diammonium phosphate), SSP (single super phosphate), and NP (nitrphos)] and plant density (D1 = 40,000, D2 = 60,000, D3 = 80,000, and D4 = 100,000 plants ha-1) on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L cv. Azam) on a P-deficient soil (6.6 mg P kg-1) at New Developmental Agricultural Research Farm, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan, during summer 2006 in wheat-maize cropping system. Physiological maturity was delayed, plant height was increased and leaf area was decreased significantly when maize was planted at highest (D4) than at lowest plant density (D1). Application of SSP resulted in earlier physiological maturity of maize than other P fertilizers. Grain and stover yield, harvest index, shelling percentage, thousand grain weight and grains ear-1 were maximized at D3 (80,000 plants ha-1) and with application of P fertilizer. Highest benefit in growth and grain yield was obtained with application of DAP to maize planted at D3. Application of DAP at D3 gave 15, 29, and 19% higher grain yield than its application at D1, D2, and D4, respectively. In conclusion, the findings suggest that growing maize at 80,000 plants ha-1 applied with DAP can maximize productivity of maize in the wheat-maize cropping system on P-deficient soils.
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