CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF SULFUR AND CALCIUM ON WHEAT GROWTH AND YIELD UNDER SALINE-SODIC SOILS
Muhammad Arshadullah, Syed Ishtiaq Hyder, Arshad Ali and Imdad Ali Mahmood*
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of three rates of gypsum on growth and ionic concentration of -1 wheat variety (Saher) sown in saline-sodic soil (ECe=5.32 dS m , pH=8.52 and SAR=18.87) at Soil Salinity Research Institute (SSRI) Farm, Pindi Bhattian during rabi 2009-10. Treatments were arranged using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The crop was harvested at maturity, data on tillering, plant height, spike -1 length, number of grains spike , 1000-grain weight, straw and paddy yields were recorded. Potassium (K), Na, Ca, S and Mg concentrations in grain were estimated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Tillering, -1 grains spike , 1000-grain weight and paddy yield significantly (P≤0.05) enhanced by increasing the rate of gypsum (CaSO ). The maximum 4 -1 number of grains spike (60), 1000-grain weight (47 g) and grain yield -1 -1 (4.01 t ha ) were recorded with CaSO application @ 150 kg ha . Grain 4 yield was 43% more than control treatment. Positive correlations (r= 2+ + 0.96), (r=0.96) and (r=0.91) between Ca , K , S and negative correlation r= + (-0.99) between Na contents in grain and wheat grain yield, respectively. 2+ + It indicates presence of significantly higher Ca , K contents in grain 2+ + + receiving CaSO4 help plants to attain more Ca , K and S to avoid Na uptake.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
