Response of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Phosphorus Fertilization under Urozgan’s Agro-Climatic Conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65486/jgnakj76Keywords:
Phosphorus fertilization, Wheat yield, Nutrient management, Randomized complete block design, Sandy loam soil, Yield components, Urozgan provinceAbstract
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different phosphorus application rates on the growth, yield, and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under the agro-climatic conditions of Urozgan province.
Method:
A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2020–2021 at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urozgan Institute of Higher Education. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and five phosphorus levels: 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹. The soil was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline (pH 7.9), and contained moderate amounts of available phosphorus and potassium. Growth and yield parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed to assess treatment effects.
Results:
Phosphorus application significantly improved all growth and yield attributes of wheat. The treatment receiving 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ resulted in the highest plant height (92.93 cm at 120 days after sowing), number of effective tillers per square meter (359.25), number of spikes per square meter (334.5), spike length, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight (40.73 g), grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index. Increasing phosphorus beyond this level did not result in further yield improvement.
Practical Implications:
Application of 90 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ is recommended for wheat cultivation in Urozgan province, as it provides the most effective and economically viable balance between fertilizer input and yield output under local soil and climatic conditions.
Originality/Novelty:
This study provides location-specific experimental evidence on the optimal phosphorus requirement for wheat grown in the sandy loam, slightly alkaline soils of Urozgan province, contributing valuable guidance for site-specific nutrient management in regions with similar agro-ecological conditions.
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