An experiment with the objective to evaluate the effect of phosphorous, rhizobium inoculation and residue types on chickpea productivity was conducted during Rabi 2014-15 at Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used for the experiment with four replications. Inoculated and un-inoculated seeds were sown with three phosphorus (P) levels (30, 60, and 90 kg ha-1) and three residue types (cereal, legume and oilseed). A control treatment was also included. Plots supplied with 90 kg P ha-1 induced early flowering and maturity with higher nodules plant-1 , plant height, number of pods plant-1 and biological yield which was statistically similar with application of 60 kg P ha-1. Significantly higher number of grains pod-1 , thousand grains weight and grain yield was recorded in plots treated with phosphorous at @ 60 kg ha-1. Residue types showed non-significant effect on all studied parameters. Seeds treated with rhizobium produced maximum nodules plant-1 , grains pod-1 , pods plant-1 , 1000-grains weight, biological yield and grain yield. The interaction between phosphorus and rhizobium inoculation exposed that seeds treated with rhizobium resulted in maximum biological and grain yield when fertilized with 60 kg P ha-1. It can be concluded that chickpea when inoculated with rhizobium and fertilized with 60 kg ha-1 phosphorus resulted in maximum yield and yield attributes of chickpea.

Crop simulation models can be effective tools to assist with optimization of resources for a particular agroecological zone. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of N rates with different timing of application to wheat crop using prominent varieties using the CSM-CERES-Wheat model of the decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT). Data were focused for yield traits, i.e., number of tillers, number of grains, grain weight, grain yield, biomass, and grain N content. To test the applicability of the CSM-CERES-Wheat version 4.7.5 model for agroclimatic conditions of Peshawar, Pakistan, experimental data from two years of experiments (2016–17 and 2017–18) were used for model calibration and evaluation. The simulation results of two years agreed well with field measured data for three commercial varieties. The model efficiency (R2) for wheat varieties was above 0.94 for variables tiller number per unit area (m−2), number of grains (m−2) and number of grains (spike−1), 1000 grain weight (mg), biomass weight (kg ha−1), grain yield (kg ha−1), and harvest N content (kg ha−1). Statistics of cultivars indicated that yield traits, yield, and N can be simulated efficiently for agroecological conditions of Peshawar. Moreover, different N rates and application timings suggested that the application of 140 kg N ha−1 with triple splits timings, i.e., 25% at the sowing, 50% at the tillering, and 25% at the booting stage of the crop, resulted in the maximum yield and N recovery for different commercial wheat varieties. Simulated N losses, according to the model, were highly determined by leaching for experimental conditions where a single N application of 100% or existing double splits timing was applied. The study concluded that 140 kg N ha−1 is most appropriate for wheat crop grown on clay loam soils under a flood irrigation system. However, the N fertilizer has to be given in triple splits of a 1:2:1 ratio at the sowing, tillering, and booting stages of the crop growth.

Maximum soils of the Pakistan are N deficient. The Nitrogen applied to the soil can be leached down in soil below the root zone of the crop while some of the Nitrogen gets volatized in the atmosphere which can adversely affect the crop growth and development of corn plants so application timing of nitrogen in maize has a great importance and considered the best and appropriate for production of maize. Nitrogen application is required by the maize plants when needed and is taken at higher rates could improve nitrogen use effectiveness by diminishing the denitrification and immobilization. The study entitled "Influence of split nitrogen application on yield and yield components of maize" was carried out during 2016 at the Research Farms of Agronomy, The University of Agriculture Peshawar. Four split nitrogen applications were assigned to main plots while the varieties were assigned to sub plots. Experimental results exhibited that application of nitrogen in three split, 60 kg ha -1 before sowing + 60 kg ha -1 at knee height stage + 60 kg ha -1 before tasseling stage has produced taller plants, maximum ear length, thousand grains weight, biological yield, grain yield, shelling percentage and harvest index. Among various varieties, Azam has produced maximum thousand grains weight, biological yield and grain yield. It is concluded that nitrogen applied in three splits (60 kg ha -1 before sowing + 60 kg ha -1 at knee height stage + 60 kg ha -1 before tasseling stage) and Azam variety of maize crop has produced maximum grain yield.

Sunflower is an important edible oil seed crop. Adequate amount of nutrients are required for sunflower to get maximum yield. A field trial was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar during Summer 2016 with the objective to investigate the effect of potassium levels (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) and sulfur levels (15, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha-1) on oil and grain yield of sunflower. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. One control plot with no potassium and sulfur was maintained in each replication. Ammonium sulfate and Potassium chloride were applied as a source for sulfur and potassium, respectively. The results showed that palmitic acid concentration and stearic acid concentration were not affected by potassium and sulfur application. Potassium applied at the rate of 90 kg ha-1 produced maximum biological yield (7178 kgha-1), grain yield (2074 kg ha-1), oil yield (775 kg ha-1), harvest index (28.87 %) and oil percentage (37.32 %). Sulfur applied at the rate of 60 kg ha-1 produced maximum grains capitulum-1 (873), thousand grain weight (46.63 g), grain yield (2037 kg ha-1), oil yield (771 kg ha-1), harvest index (29.54 %), oil percentage (37.81 %) and linoleic acid concentration (78.80 %). Non-significant effect of sulfur was observed on biological yield of sunflower. Application of potassium at the rate of 90 kg ha-1 and sulfur at the rate of 60 kg ha-1 could be recommended for higher oil and grain yield of sunflower.