Evaluation of split application of potassium for improving yield and potassium uptake in wheat

Abstract

Potassium is known¬¬ as quality nutrient, enhances crop yield, protect the crop against diseases, insect-pest attack, protect the crop from lodging and mitigate the impact of terminal heat stress. The experiment was carried out at the Punjab Agricultural University Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur, Punjab, India during the year 2015-16, 2016-17 an 2017-18. The different treatments (T0: control, T1: 50 kg K2O ha-1 (basal), T2: 60 kg K2O ha-1 (basal), T3: 70 kg K2O ha-1 (basal), T4: 25 kg K2O ha-1 (basal)+25 kg K2O ha-1 (at flowering), T5: 30 kg K2O ha-1 (basal) + 30 kg K2O ha-1 (at flowering) and T6: 35 kg K2O ha-1 (basal) + 35 kg K2O ha-1 (at flowering).) were evaluated to access the impact of basal dose and split application of potassium on the growth, yield and potassium uptake. The results revealed that the grain yield and biological yield improved with the application of potassium, however the grain yield and biological yield were found higher in the treatment with split application (at basal + at flowering). The Agronomic efficiency data revealed that AE was highest in the treatment with application of 25 kg K2O ha-1 as basal +25 kg K2O ha-1 at flowering stage. Thus, the application of 25 kg K2O ha-1 as basal +25 kg K2O ha-1 at flowering stage may be followed to achieve higher yield per unit nutrient applied.