Evaluation of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Performance under Different Levels of Zinc and Phosphorus

Abstract

W heat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a food crop that belongs to the Poaceae family. It is a key food source for Pakistanis and ranking first among agricultural crops (GOP, 2014). Due to an increase in population wheat requirement is increasing day by day in Pakistan. Wheat is grown on huge area still its Abstract | The aim of this research was to assist the performance of wheat under several levels of Zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P). This research was planned in RCB design (split-plot Structure). All the treatments were repeated 4 times to reduce the chances of natural errors. The various levels of P (0, 75, 90 and 105 kg ha-1) were assigned to major plots and Zn levels (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 kg ha-1) were allocated to sub-plot. ' Atta Habib' wheat variety was sown @ 120 kg ha-1. Result of the experiment shows that both factors had considerably affected all measured parameters. Application of P @105 kg P ha-1 resulted maximum tiller m-2 (304), taller plants (95.40 cm), maximum spike length (10.72 cm), more grain spike-1(49), greater 1000-grains weight (42 g), greater biomass (10719 kg ha-1), maximum grain yield (4148 kg ha-1) and highest economical yield (38%). Regarding Zn levels Plots treated with Zn @ 16 kg ha-1 produce more plants m-2 (295), taller plants (93.5 cm), maximum spike length (10.57cm), more grains in spike (49), higher 1000-Grains weight (41.9 g), maximum biomass (10337 kg ha-1), greater grain yield (4007 kg ha-1) and economical yield (38%). It was concluded that wheat performed better in terms of yield and yield contributing parameters when P and Zn were applied @ 105 and 16 kg ha-1, respectively.