RESPONSE OF WHEAT TO FOLIAR APPLICATION OF NUTRIENTS

Abstract

Foliar application can guarantee the availability of nutrients to crops for obtaining higher yield. To study the response of wheat to foliar application of nutrients, an experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar during winter 2005-06. The treatments consist of control (water spray), spray at tillering (single spray) and/or spray at jointing (two sprays) and/or spray at boot stage (three sprays). Significant increase was recorded in number of spikes m-2, grains spike-1, thousand grain weight, biological yield and grain yield with foliar application of nutrients. Three foliar applications of nutrients resulted in maximum number of spikes m-2, grains spike-1, thousand grains weight and biological yield. Maximum grain yield was recorded for two foliar sprays which was statistically similar to that of three foliar sprays. It was concluded that three foliar sprays of nutrient solution at tillering, jointing and boot stages along with half of the recommended doses of N and P helped in enhancing yield and yield components of wheat.