Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) productivity as influenced by rate and method of phosphate placement in a Mediterranean environment

Abstract

The influence of rates and methods of phosphate placement on the productivity of lentil ( Lens culinaris Medic.) was studied in a two-field experiment. Each experiment consisted of four levels of phosphorus (0, 17.5, 35.0 and 52.5 kg P ha -1 ) and two methods of placement (banding and broadcast). Lentils grown at Kufran had higher seed yield than those grown at Houfa. Seed yield, pods plant -1 and branches plant -1 increased significantly in both locations after phosphorus application compared with the control. Seed yield was significantly greater with band placement than with the broadcast method of phosphorus application at both locations.