DefinePK

Abstract

Intensive cropping pattern has deprived the soil of essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). This has resulted in lowering maize yield. P application control plant growth behavior. P is needed for utilization of sugar and starch, photosynthesis, cell division, nucleus and fat and albumen formation. K is well documented in protein synthesis, enzyme activation, stomatal movement, water relation and photosynthesis in plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of P and K on yield and yield components of maize. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design during 2014-15 at Agronomy Research Farm of Agriculture University Peshawar-Pakistan. Maize hybrid “Pioneer-3025” was use as a test crop. Experiment was composed of four levels of P (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) and four level of K (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1). Result showed that P applied at 120 kg ha-1 increased rows ear-1 by 40%, grains row-1 by 18%, grains ear-1 by 41%, thousand grains weight by 8%, biological yield by 41%, stover yield by 34%, grain yield by 55% and harvest index by 10% over control. Similarly, K applied at 90 kg ha-1 increased rows ear-1 by 40%, grains row-1 by 15%, grains ear-1 by 36%, thousand grains weight by 8%, biological yield by 36%, stover yield by 25%, grain yield by 56% and harvest index by 15% over control. It is concluded that P at the rate of 120 kg ha-1 and K at the rate of 90 kg ha-1 should be applied for improved yield and yield component of maize in agro climatic conditions of Peshawar.
Keywords: Maize; Phosphorus; Potassium; Yield; Yield components; Levels
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.600114