Effect of Phosphorus and Zinc on Wheat Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Quality and Post Harvest Soil Fertility Status

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2021 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. To evaluate the phosphorus and zinc on wheat yield, nutrient uptake, quality and post harvest soil fertility status. The experiment comprised of two factors each having four levels each of phosphorus (P0–0 kg P2O5 ha-1, P1–30 kg P2O5 ha-1, P2–60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and P3–90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and zinc (Zn0–0 kg Zn ha-1, Zn1–2.5 kg Zn ha-1, Zn2–5.0 kg Zn ha-1 and Zn3–7.5 kg Zn ha-1). Total sixteen treatment combinations were laid out factorial randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P3) and 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 recorded significantly the higher grain and straw yields; which was found at par with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 5.0 kg Zn ha-1.  Values revealed that phosphorus content in grain and straw was significantly increased with the application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P3) over rest of the treatments; which was found at par with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P2). Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by grain and straw was significantly higher with the application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 and Zn @ 7.5 kg ha-1; which was remained at par with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 5.0 kg Zn ha-1. Available P2O5 content in soil was significantly increased with the application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 and; which was remained at par with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1. Results obtained that different levels of phosphorus and zinc did not show any significant change in soil pH, EC, OC, available K2O as well as quality parameters like gluten and protein contents. On the basis of results, it can be concluded that application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 and Zn @ 7.5 kg ha-1 significantly higher the grain and straw yields, nutrient uptake like N, P and K and available P2O5 status in soil after harvest of crop.