Effect of different levels of sulfur on the productivity of wheat in a saline sodic soil
2012
Arshad Ali, Muhammad Arshadullah, Syed Ishtiaq Hyder and Imdad Ali Mahmood
A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different S levels ( 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg S ha-1) on growth and ionic concentration of wheat variety (Inqlab-91 ) directly sown in a saline sodic soil (ECe=4.92 dS m-1, pH=8.22 and SAR=16.15 dS m-1) at Zaidi Farm, Sheikhupura during winter 2009. Treatments were arranged using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The crop was harvested at maturity, data on tillering, plant height, spike length, number of grains spike-1, 1000- grain weight, straw and wheat grain yields were recorded. Na, K, Ca and Mg concentration in grain and straw were estimated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Tillering, number of grains spike-1, 1000- grain weight, grain yield significantly (p≤ 0.05) increased by enhancing the rate of S application. Wheat grain yield was the maximum (4040 kg ha-1) at the application of 50 kg S ha-1 and 26% more than control treatment. The maximum number of tillers / 5 plants (110), number of grains spike-1 (63.6) and 1000 grain weight (47 g) were recorded with S application at 50 kg ha-1. Positive correlations (r= 0.91) and (r=0.79) between calcium and potassium contents in grain and wheat grain yield. However negative correlation (-0.88) between Na content in grain and wheat grain yield was found. It indicates presence of significantly higher Ca and K contents in grains receiving S application help plants to attain more Ca and K to avoid sodium uptake which has been an added advantage to alleviate salinity/sodicity. However, economical analysis showed that maximum value cost ratio (3.52:1) was found where 25 kg ha-1 S was applied.
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