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Improving phosphorus uptake and wheat productivity by phosphoric acid application in alkaline calcareous soils
Author(s) -
Akhtar Muhammad,
Yaqub Muhammad,
Naeem Asif,
Ashraf Muhammad,
Hernandez Vicente Espinosa
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.7555
Subject(s) - calcareous , calcareous soils , phosphoric acid , phosphorus , alkali soil , productivity , chemistry , agronomy , soil water , environmental chemistry , environmental science , botany , biology , soil science , organic chemistry , macroeconomics , economics
BACKGROUND Low phosphorus (P) efficiency from existing granular fertilisers necessitates searching for efficient alternatives to improve wheat productivity in calcareous soil. RESULTS Multi‐location trials have shown that phosphoric acid ( PA ) produced 16% higher wheat grain over commercial P fertilisers, i.e. diammonium phosphate ( DAP ) and triple superphosphate ( TSP ). Methods of P application significantly influenced grain yield and the efficiency of methods was observed in the order: PA placement below seed > PA , DAP or TSP fertigation > DAP or TSP broadcast. The sub‐surface application of PA produced highest grain yields (mean of all rates), i.e. 4669, 4158 and 3910 kg ha −1 in Bagh, Bhalwal and Shahpur soil series, respectively. Phosphoric acid at 66 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 was found more effective in increasing gain yield over that of control. Trend in grain P uptake was found similar to that observed for grain yield. Maximum P uptake by grain was recorded at the highest P rate and the lowest at zero P. The significant increase in P uptake with P rates was generally related to the increase in yield rather than its concentration in grain. Phosphorus agronomic efficiency ( PAE ) and phosphorus recovery efficiency ( PRE ) were found higher at lower P rate (44 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 ) and decreased with P application. However, PA applied by the either method resulted in higher PAE and PRE compared to DAP and TSP . CONCLUSION Phosphoric acid is suggested as an efficient alternative to commercial granular P fertilisers for wheat production in alkaline calcareous soils. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry