Enhancing Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using Organic and Inorganic Phosphatic Fertilizers

A pot experiment was conducted at the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Tarnab, Peshawar to increase the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and yield parameters by using different phosphatic fertilizers alone and in combination with organic source (FYM). Twelve treatments of inorganic and organic sources in sole or mixed ratios including control were applied in completely randomize design with three replications. Highly significant differences were noted for all the studied parameters except the harvest index. The soil used for the experiment was clay loam, alkaline in nature with lime content of 12.82% and low organic matter contents of 0.76%. The total nitrogen, extractable P and K were 0.13%, 2.89 mg kg-1, and 88 mg kg-1, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data showed that triple superphosphate (60 kg P) integrated with farm yard manure (5 t ha-1) significantly enhanced the plant height (61.76 cm), number of tillers pot-1 (13), spike length (6.81 cm), number of grains spike-1 (73), thousand grains weight (40.67 g), grain yield (33.60 g pot-1), and biological yield (69.50 g pot-1) of wheat plants. Chemical analysis of the wheat plants showed the significant effect of combined use of TSP and FYM (5 t ha-1) on plant P concentration in grains and straws, which was 0.50% and 0.17%, respectively. Whereas the maximum P uptake of 168.17 g pot-1 and 62.84 g pot-1 in grains and straws was recorded. It is suggested that the combined application of chemical fertilizers and organic manures could increase the growth and yield of crops under sustainable agriculture.