PHOSPHORUS BIOFERTILIZER AS EFFICIENT FERTILIZER FOR IMPROVING NUTRIENT UPTAKES AND CORN YIELD

Phosphorus use efficiency in soils of Pakistan is reported less than 15%. However, phosphorus (P) bio-fertilizers have potential to improve P use efficiency (PUE) in these soils on sustainable basis. A primary study was conducted under control conditions of greenhouse to compare P availability from reduced rates of phosphorus bio-fertilizer (PSB-DAP) with P available from 100% rate of DAP recommended for maize. Based on the findings, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 100% rate of uncoated DAP and 50-75% rate of PSB-DAP on corn yield and PUE. The treatment for both studies included; control (with fertilizers), 100% of recommended P2O5 from Commercial DAP (C-DAP100), 75% of recommended P2O5 from PSB-DAP (PSB-DAP75) and 50% of recommended P2O5 from PSB-DAP (PSB-DAP50). Results explored that available P from PSB-DAP50 and C-DAP100 was statistically at par while PSB-DAP75 at 30, 45 and 60 days of incubation. The findings of field study also revealed that PBS-DAP improved cob weight by 5-10%, chlorophyll contents by 14-23%, 1000-grains weight by 8-10%, grain yield by 10%, and P uptake by 35%, PUE efficiency by 42% compared to C-DAP100. This work can be used as a case study to promote P bio-fertilizers among farming community and researchers in order to for make effective use of alternate P sources for crop production.