Use of different sources of potash fertilizers for maize yield and quality at different irrigation levels
2016
Qadeer, A.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop of the world. It is cultivated on vast area of land in Pakistan with good annual production. To obtain optimum and sustainable crop yields, it is important to formulate a sound fertilization program. Potassium plays a vital role in growth and development of maize. Seasonal dryness is an important limitation factor in com cultivation and it decreases maize annual yield as 17%. Potassium increase resistance capacity against drought by increasing growth of com plant. Present study was carried out to assess the effect of different levels of potash on com yield and quality at different irrigation levels. Maize variety (Monsanto 6714) was sown in two main plots each divided into five subplots. Irrigation was kept as main plot factor and fertilizer with five different combinations was kept as subplot factor. Experimental soil was evaluated for physical and chemical properties of soil before the experiments i.e. soil pH, EC and K contents. Treatments in the first plot were T0: no fertilizer, T1: SOP 70%, T2: SOP 100%, T3: MOP 70%, T4: MOP 100% and each treatment was repeated under both irrigation levels. The difference between both irrigation levels was of seven days at each supplemental irrigation however water insufficient treatment was at 9 days difference. Data regarding different growth and yield related parameters was recorded. Analysis of variance and treatment mean comparison through LSD test showed that both irrigation levels affected plant growth in the similar ways whereas K source has affected plant growth. Plants under treatments containing high K application showed more growth whereas those under low K application showed reduced growth. It was also observed that MOP has more positive effect on grain yield as compared to SOP.
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