Dose Optimization of NPK Fertilizers for Growing Linseed Crop under Saline Sodic Soil Environment
Dose Optimization of NPK Fertilizers for Growing Linseed Crop under Saline Sodic Soil Environment
Ayesha Zafar1, Ghulam Sarwar1*, Muhammad Sarfraz2, Muhammad Zeeshan Manzoor1, Sher Muhammad3 and Ghulam Murtaza1
ABSTRACT
Salinity and sodicity are the major issues to the sustainability of agriculture in Pakistan. The plants in saline environment are negatively affected due to several issues like low osmotic potential, specific ion effect, and nutritional imbalance. The fertilizer behavior in salt stress conditions is quite different as compared to the normal soils. Linseed is an important oil seed crop. Its 50 % yield reduction occurs at ECe 5.9 dSm-1 and ESP value of 25-30. A field experiment was conducted on saline sodic soils to determine fertilizer requirement of linseed. The selected field was saline sodic in nature with pH value 8.57, medium in extractable K and scarce in P and organic matter. The selected field was sandy loam having 70% sand, 18% silt and 12% clay. The soil was prepared, leveled, and crop was sown with seed rate of 7.5 kg ha-1. Treatments included various rates of NPK {0 (control = T1), 75 % (T2), 100 % (T3), 125 % (T4), and 150% (T5) of recommended dose (150-150-75 kg ha-1) of NPK fertilizer). The experimental design was RCBD with three replications. Intercultural operations were performed according to the experimental requirement. At maturity data regarding plant height, capsules/plant and seeds/capsules, 1000 grain weight, number of plants/m length, grain yield, total biomass and harvest index were recorded. All the above parameters were enhanced by increasing fertilizer rate and maximum values were achieved where fertilize was applied at the rate of 210-210-112.5 kg ha-1 (150 % of recommended dose i.e., T5). Grain yield increased more prominently when compared with straw yield where fertilizer was applied @ 210-201-112.5 kg/ha.
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