Abstract
Nutrient deficiency is important limiting factor of saline-sodic soils which results in declining crop production in arid climates. The study investigated wheat response to phosphorus and potassium in saline-sodic field of Kohat, Pakistan. The K2O was applied at 0(K0), 75(K1), 150 (K2) kg ha-1 as K2S04 and P2O5 at (0(P0), 60(P1), 120(P2) kg ha-1 as (NH4)2HPO4 in three replications under two-factorial randomized complete block (RCB) design. Both treatments significantly enhanced wheat grain (118%) and dry matter yield (60%) at P2K2 compared to control. The P treatments significantly affected leaf P, Mg, SO4, Ca:P, SO4:P ratios and soil P, Ca:P, Cl:P and SO4:P ratios, while K on leaf K, Na, Ca, SO4concentration, K:Na, K:Ca, SO4:P,Ca:P ratios and soil pH, Na, K, Ca, SO4 concentrations, SAR, Na:K, Ca:K and Na:Ca ratios. Leaf Na was decreased to 85.3 mmol (+) kg-1 at K2 compared to 105.3 mmol (+) kg-1at P2K0. Negative correlation (R2=0.906) of leaf K:Na was found with Leaf Na concentration. Correlation of dry matter was more positive (R2=0.851) with leaf K:Na than grain yield (R2=0.392). It is concluded that K and P addition might be beneficial for improving crop nutrition and wheat yield in saline-sodic soils.
Highlights
Reclamation of salt-affected soils through appropriate on-farm fertility management practices serves as a vital tool for the enhancement of crop production (JORDAN et al, 2004)
The combined P and K applications resulted in the highest grain and dry matter yields when compared with control
Effect of P treatment on grain yield was more profound than K application but dry matter yield increased more with K when compared with control
Summary
Reclamation of salt-affected soils through appropriate on-farm fertility management practices serves as a vital tool for the enhancement of crop production (JORDAN et al, 2004). Proper fertilizer applications to the soil can increase crop yields (HUSSAIN et al, 2014). Potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) can be important in minimizing the negative impacts of high salt stress in soils (GARG; GUPTA, 1998). The plants’ tolerance against salt stress may be improved by optimized K nutrition (RÖMHELD; KIRKBY, 2010) as K plays important role in regulating the osmotic potential of crops and minimizing salt stress in saline environments. There is an agreement that higher concentrations of salts in the rhizosphere create the osmotic stress which disturbs the nutrient balance and develops specific ion toxicity in salt-affected soils
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