Critical Available Soil Phosphorus Level of Indian Soils in Relation to Protein Quality of Wheat

Abstract

AbstractMore information is needed on the relation between the protein quality of wheat and the phosphorus level of the soil on which it is grown. Protein quality of ‘Kalyan Sona’ wheat (Triticum aertivum L.) grown in the greenhouse on 14 alluvial soils was measured by the lysine, methionine, and tryptophan contents of the grain. Quality was inferior when available soil P levels were below 12.5 ppm. Based on this critical level of P, the soils were separated into two groups. The ‘t’ test for protein quality characters of wheat grown on these two groups of soils was highly significant. The importance of soil testing in respect to the need for phosphatic fertilization in maintainng the quality of wheat protein was brought out.