Response of Barley varieties to Phosphorus and Sulphur levels

Abstract

A field experiment was performed at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar during winter 2013-14 to evaluate the response of barley varieties to phosphorus and sulphur levels. Treatments were replicated three times in randomized complete block (RCB) design having split plot arrangement. Area of subplot was 3 m x 1.8 m with six rows. Phosphorus levels (20, 40 and 60 kg ha -1 ) and sulphur (15, 30 and 45 kg ha -1 ) levels were placed in main-plots while barley varieties (BAJAUR-2000 and AAJ) were kept in sub-plots. Main-plots treatments consist of one control (no P and S). Phosphorus and sulphur doses were applied at sowing time. Results from the experiment indicated that highest number of leaves tiller -1 (5.19), leaf area tiller 1 (92.93 cm 2 ), leaf area index (2.56), grains spikes -1 (31.33), thousand grains weight (39.33 g), biological yield (8397 kg ha -1 ), grain yield (1714 kg ha -1 ) and harvest index (20.47 %) was produced by variety AAJ as compared to BAJAUR-2000. Phosphorus rate of 60 kg ha -1 produced maximum leaf area index (2.76), grains spikes -1 (32.56), thousand grains weight (40.95 g), grain yield (1722 kg ha -1 ), biological yield (8444 kg ha -1 ) and harvest index (20.46%) of barley. Application of sulphur at 45 kg ha -1 resulted in highest leaf area tiller -1 (92.33 cm 2 ), leaf area index (2.48), grains spikes -1 (31.83) and biological yield (8202 kg ha -1 ) while 30 kg S ha -1 produced maximum thousand grains weight (39.22 g), grain yield (1601 kg ha -1 ) and harvest index (19.66%). It is concluded that barley variety AAJ produced optimal grain yield when received 60 and 30 kg ha -1 phosphorus and sulphur respectively.