# Effect of NPK uptake at different growth stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for yield maximization

Diwakar Paswan, Anjana Arun, Ajeet Kumar, C.S. Choudhary

► To cite this version:

Diwakar Paswan, Anjana Arun, Ajeet Kumar, C.S. Choudhary. Effect of NPK uptake at different growth stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for yield maximization. AN ASIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, 2014, 9 (2), pp.265-270. 10.15740/HAS/AJSS/9.2/265-270. hal-04676702

HAL Id: hal-04676702

https://hal.science/hal-04676702v1

Submitted on 1 Sep 2024

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access
archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-
entific research documents, whether they are pub-
lished or not. The documents may come from
teaching and research institutions in France or
abroad, or from public or private research centers.

L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est
destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents
scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non,
émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de
recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires
publics ou privés.

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Research Article

DOI: 10.15740/HAS/AJSS/9.2/265-270

# Effect of NPK uptake at different growth stages of wheat (*Triticum aestivum* L.) for yield maximization

DIWAKAR PASWAN, ANJANA ARUN, AJEET KUMAR AND C.S. CHOUDHARY

Received : 04.10.2014; Revised : 26.10.2014; Accepted : 13.11.2014

## MEMBERS OF RESEARCH FORUM:

**Corresponding author :**

DIWAKAR PASWAN, Regional Research Station, Agwanpur, SAHARSA (BIHAR) INDIA
Email: diwakarpaswanbau@gmail.com

**Co-authors :**

ANJANA ARUN, AJEET KUMAR AND C.S. CHOUDHARY, Regional Research Station, Agwanpur, SAHARSA (BIHAR) INDIA

## Summary

Maximum N uptake in wheat crop was obtained with successive increase in level of fertilizer, plant population and organic manure application. The maximum N-uptake of 137.64 kg/ha was recorded at harvest with the application of highest does of nitrogen *i.e.*, 180 kg/ha. Application of higher level of fertilizer and organic manure and higher plant population increase the P uptake. The maximum phosphorus uptake of 17.19 kg/ha were recorded at harvest with the application of 75 kg phosphorus/ha. The same way K uptake was also observed to increase with increase in level of fertilizer, plant population and organic manure application.

**Key words :** NPK uptake, Growth stages, Wheat, Yield

**How to cite this article :** Paswan, Diwakar, Arun, Anjana, Kumar, Ajeet and Choudhary, C.S. (2014). Effect of NPK uptake at different growth stages of wheat (*Triticum aestivum* L.) for yield maximization. *Asian J. Soil Sci.*, 9(2): 265-270.

## Introduction

With the mounting pressure of population on the land, the foremost challenge facing us today is to device ecologically and socio-economically-sustainable agricultural practices for increasing food grain production. In our country, where the agriculture sector is the foundation of the economy involving about two third of its population assumes top priority. Therefore, there is an urgent need to accelerate the agricultural growth rate by enhancing the productivity of various crops through efficient input management.

Wheat (*Triticum aestivum* L.) is the most important among all cereals used as a food grain in the world. Wheat is primarily used as a staple food providing more protein than any other cereal crop. It is consumed in many forms like bread, cakes, biscuits, bakery products and many confectionery products. Its straw is used as animal feed and also for manufacturing paper (Iqtidar *et al.*, 2006).

The advances in the use of chemical fertilizers and seed have paid rich dividend in terms of increased production and enhanced productivity in the country. Integration of organics with inorganics has been found to be quite promising

not only in maintaining higher productivity but also in providing greater stability in crop production (Nambiar and Abrel, 1992). The evolution of new seed triggered the green revolution which has richly been harvested to uplift socio-economic condition of the farmers. As a result of technological which has innovation the country which produced only 5.6 m tons (1947-48) at the time of independence is now harvesting about 68 m tones. This phenomenal increase in productivity is be and large attributed to high level of management revolving around the new plant type. The use of essential input like seeds, fertilizer, water and plant protection measures have been increased as the plant type so developed are amenable to respond to high level of fertilizer. Fertilizer is the important component of nutrient management and plays a key role in the present system in the agriculture production in India. According to an estimate Indian population is increasing at the rate of 2 per cent per year. Global demand for food will increase commensurately with a world population that may grow to reach 8.3 billion by 2025 (Sylvia *et al.*, 2005). Such increased demand will most likely occur in developing countries, many of which suffer from limited access to fertilizers and other exogenous
farm inputs (Sylvia *et al.*, 2005). India is producing about 220 m tons of food grain which has to be increased to 435 m by 2050 AD. To feed the increasing population upto 2050 A.D., agriculture production has to be raised by 1.8 per cent per year.

To achieve this goal 22.5 m ton of plant nutrients are required, where at the present only 12.5 m tones of plant nutrient in the form of fertilizer are being used. The present nutrient gap of 10 m ton is likely to be bridged by increased use of organic manures in near future. In fact, fertilizer use is considered as a barometer of agriculture production. Fertilizer no doubt played a key role in agricultural production and changed India from a country of food sufficiency. But unfortunately with the continuous use of chemical fertilizers and non use of organic manures, the fertility status of the soil started deteriorating, the physical condition have worsened and micro-organic manures, micro-organism population has fallen. In other words it can be said that we have not cared for the health of the soil due to which we are not getting expected yield with increased use of fertilizer as a result of that cost of production has also become vey high.

Use of organic manures is the oldest and the most widely accepted practice of nutrient replenishment. Although the use of organic manure has not improved much during last 3 to 4 decades, it still has a significant role to play in nutrient supply. Most of the animal excreta and crop residues are used as fuel, the unconventional source of energy. It is well known that the use of manures and inorganic fertilizers together are definitely superior to the use of either manure or fertilizers alone. Organic manure are not to be evaluated only on the basis of their nutrient content rather should be evaluated on the basis of their nutrient content rather should be evaluated on the basis of their ameliorating impact on the fertility status of the soil, physical condition of the soil, environmental pollution and natural balance. Therefore, balanced application of nutrient through the different sources is indispensable to supplement the losses form the soil ensuring high productivity.

Among the different factors responsible for realizing higher yield maintenance of optimum level of the plant population in the field is of paramount importance. Invariably it is witnessed that yield level drops down sharply due to reduction in plant population. Increasing plant population may be another important means of raising productivity level.

Thus, increase in fertilizer doses upto a limit, application of organic manure and increases in plant population to some extent appears to be the most important measures for maximization of wheat production.

Generally, for producing a tone of cereal grains about 20-27 kg N, 8-19 kg P₂O₅ and 24-48 kg K₂O are required (Prasad and Pathak, 2009). Efficient utilization of nitrogen by wheat and other cereals has become increasingly important because of increased costs associated with the manufacture

and distribution of nitrogen fertilizer. Increased use of nitrogen in agricultural production has raised concerns because of the potential for groundwater contamination. These concerns have pressurized the farmers to use nitrogen more efficiently. Nitrogen use efficiency may prove to be a mitigation alternative to reduce leaching (Li *et al.*, 2007). The routes to the improvement of nitrogen use efficiency may be through selection of a fitting environment for the crop, suitable variety, better supervision or crop inherent improvement. However, the relative importance of these choices is inadequately understood (Semenov *et al.*, 2007). The importance of phosphorus as a nutrient, stimulates root development and growth in the seedling stage and thereby it helps to establish the seedling quickly. It hastens leaf development and encourages greater growth of shoots and roots (Das, 2004). Potassium (K) plays multiple roles in activation of cellular enzymes, synthesis of proteins, starch, cellulose, and vitamins, resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses (Epstein and Bloom, 2005).

The present investigation is under taken to find out the active growth stage, on which the NPK should applied so that to minimize the loss of fertilizer and to improve the crop growth which ultimately enhance crop yield.

## Resource and Research Methods

### Chemical studies :

Wheat plant samples collected at different growth stages were oven dried at 60°C and their whole parts were grounded. After that it was subjected to chemical analysis for nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content.

Nitrogen content was determined by modified KJeldahl's method and phosphorus content was estimated by wet digestion molybdo-vanado-phosphoric acid method while potassium was analyzed by flame photometric method as described by Jackson (1967).

### Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake :

N, P and K uptake at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing and at harvest was calculated using the data on N, P, K, percentage in plant and dry weight of plants at respective stages. At harvest, the N, P and K uptake in grain and straw was calculated separately and then added to gather to get determine the total content.

### Statistical studies :

The data obtained in course of investigation were subjected to statistical analysis using standard method mentioned in the book "A text book of Agricultural Statistics" by Rangaswami (1995). The model used was as mentioned below :

$$Yiji1=u+ri+A_j+B_k+C_L+(AB)jk+(AC)je+(BC)kereijkl$$
where,

U= General effect.

r<sub>i</sub>= Effect due to i the replication

A<sub>j</sub>= Effect due to j th level of factor A (F)

B<sub>k</sub>= Effect due to k th level of factor B (M)

C<sub>i</sub>= Effect due to L the level of factor C (P)

e<sub>ijkl</sub>= Effect of the error which has two components, one for the main plot treatment and other for the sub-plot treatment.

In order to ascertain the observed treatment effects to be real or discernible from chance effect. The Null hypothesis was tested by F test of significance. To compare two treatment means the critical difference (C.D.) at 5 per cent level of significance for different factors and their interactions were worked out.

## Research Findings and Discussion

An investigation to study the "Effect of NPK uptake at different growth stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for yield maximization" was conducted in Rabi season. The experiment was conducted in Split Plot Design with four replications. A combination of three levels of fertilizers F<sub>1</sub> - 120 N+50 P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>+40 K<sub>2</sub>O, F<sub>2</sub>-150 N+62.5 P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>+50 K<sub>2</sub>O, F<sub>3</sub> - 180 N +75 P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>+60 K<sub>2</sub>O kg/ha) and two levels of organic manures M<sub>1</sub>-No organic manure and M<sub>2</sub>-10t FYM/ha making a total of 6 treatment combination was put in the main plot. Two seed rates S<sub>1</sub>-125 kg/ha and S<sub>2</sub>-156.25 kg/ha) were allocated to the subplots making a total of 12 treatment combinations in all. The soil was medium in fertility (Available N 270.00 kg/ha, available P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> 23.56 kg/ha and

available K<sub>2</sub>O 175.00 kg/ha) and neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.3). UP 262 was the test variety. The average of three years data obtained under this investigation is reported in this paper.

### Chemical studies :

#### Nitrogen-uptake :

Mean data pertaining to N-uptake as influenced by different treatments under test have been presented in Table 1. It is obvious from table that the differences due to levels of fertilizers, organic manures and plant population were significant. However various factors studied did not interact at a level affecting any significant changes at different stages of nitrogen uptake i.e. 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest.

### Effect of levels of fertilizer:

A perusal of data clearly revealed that increase in N-uptake at different growth stages with successive increase in the dose of fertilizers i.e. optimum dose (F<sub>1</sub>) to 125 per cent of optimum (F<sub>2</sub>) and again 125 per cent of optimum to 150 per cent of optimum (F<sub>3</sub>) were significant.

The maximum N-uptake of 22.15, 79.70, 99.44, 132.80 and 137.64 kg/ha were recorded at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively, with the application of highest does of fertilizer (180 kg N+75 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> + 60 kg K<sub>2</sub>O/ha) in wheat crop, which reduced to 20.73, 52.28, 74.08, 97.21 and 102.14 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively, with the application of 150 kg N + 62.5 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> + 50 kg K<sub>2</sub>O/ha. However, the minimum N-uptake was recorded 16.46,

<table><caption>Table1: N-uptake (kg/ha) in wheat at different stages of growth</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Treatments</th><th colspan="5">Days after sowing</th></tr><tr><th>30<sup>th</sup></th><th>60<sup>th</sup></th><th>90<sup>th</sup></th><th>120<sup>th</sup></th><th>At harvest</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Levels of fertilizer</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>1</sub>-100%</td><td>16.46</td><td>47.26</td><td>63.44</td><td>80.24</td><td>83.10</td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>2</sub>- 125%</td><td>20.73</td><td>52.28</td><td>74.08</td><td>97.21</td><td>102.14</td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>3</sub>- 150%</td><td>22.14</td><td>79.70</td><td>99.44</td><td>132.80</td><td>137.64</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.43</td><td>1.45</td><td>1.72</td><td>0.98</td><td>0.98</td></tr><tr><td>C.D. (P=0.05)</td><td>1.31</td><td>4.38</td><td>5.18</td><td>2.97</td><td>2.96</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Organic manure</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>M<sub>1</sub>-0</td><td>18.83</td><td>57.32</td><td>77.28</td><td>100.50</td><td>102.94</td></tr><tr><td>M<sub>2</sub>-10t/ha</td><td>20.73</td><td>62.18</td><td>80.69</td><td>106.34</td><td>112.31</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.35</td><td>1.18</td><td>1.40</td><td>0.80</td><td>0.80</td></tr><tr><td>C.D. (P=0.05)</td><td>1.07</td><td>3.57</td><td>NS</td><td>2.42</td><td>2.42</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Plant population</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>P<sub>1</sub>-100%</td><td>19.21</td><td>58.94</td><td>77.13</td><td>99.96</td><td>103.97</td></tr><tr><td>P<sub>2</sub>-125%</td><td>20.35</td><td>60.55</td><td>80.83</td><td>106.87</td><td>111.28</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.34</td><td>0.55</td><td>1.13</td><td>1.79</td><td>1.85</td></tr><tr><td>C.D. (P=0.05)</td><td>1.01</td><td>NS</td><td>3.37</td><td>5.32</td><td>5.49</td></tr></tbody></table>

NS = Non-significant
47.26m 63.44, 80.24 and 83.10 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the application of optimum dose of fertilizer (120 kg N+50 kg P₂O₅ + 40 kg K₂O/ ha).

**Effect of organic manure :**

Plots getting 10 tons/ha FYM exhibited N-uptake 20.73, 62.18, 80.69, 106.34 and 112.31 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS, and at harvest, respectively which were significantly superior to that of 18.83, 57.32, 77.28, 100.50 and 102.94 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS, at harvest, respectively without application of organic manure.

**Effect of plant population :**

N-uptake was greatly influenced by plant population regulated by seed rate. Plots with 156.25 kg/ha of seed exhibited uptake of nitrogen of 20.35, 60.55, 80.83, 106.87 and 111.28 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively which decreased significantly to 19.21, 58.94, 77.13, 99.96 and 103.97 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the use of 125 kg seed/ha.

**Phosphorus uptake :**

Mean data pertaining to phosphorus uptake as influenced by different treatments under test have been presented in Table 2. It is clear from table that differences due to levels of fertilizers, organic manures were significant at different growth stages. However, effect of plant population was found no significant at 30 DAS and 60 DAS but

significant at 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest. Many factors studied did not interact at a level effecting any significant changes at different stages of phosphorus uptake i.e. 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest.

A close scrutiny of data clearly revealed that increase in phosphorus uptake at different growth stages with successive increase in the dose of fertilizer i.e. optimum dose (F₁) to 125 per cent of optimum (F₂) and again 125 per cent of optimum to 150 per cent of optimum (F₃) was significant. The maximum phosphorus uptake of 2.94, 8.61, 15.01, 16.44 and 17.19 kg/ha were recorded at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the application of highest dose of fertilizer (180 kg N+ 75 kg P₂O₅ + 60 kg K₂O/ha) in wheat crop, which reduced 2.55, 7.46, 13.37, 14.75 and 15.49 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the application of (150 kg N+ 62.5 kg P₂O₅ + 50 kg K₂O/ha). However, the minimum phosphorus uptake of 2.55, 7.46, 13.37, 14.75 and 15.49 kg/ha were recorded at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, and at harvest, respectively with the application of 120 kg N+ 50 kg P₂O₅ + 40 kg K₂O/ha.

**Effect of organic manure :**

Plots getting 10 tons/ha FYM organic manure showed phosphorus-uptake of 2.62, 7.72, 13.54, 14.63 and 15.48 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively, which were significantly superior to that of 2.38, 5.94, 12.57, 13.87 and 14.49 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively, without application of organic manure.

<table><caption>Table 2 : P₂O₅- uptake (kg/ha) in wheat at different stages of growth</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Treatments</th><th colspan="5">Days after sowing</th></tr><tr><th>30<sup>th</sup></th><th>60<sup>th</sup></th><th>90<sup>th</sup></th><th>120<sup>th</sup></th><th>at harvest</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Levels of fertilizer</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>1</sub>-100%</td><td>2.003</td><td>5.93</td><td>10.79</td><td>11.57</td><td>12.27</td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>2</sub>- 125%</td><td>2.545</td><td>7.46</td><td>13.37</td><td>14.75</td><td>15.49</td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>3</sub>- 150%</td><td>2.938</td><td>8.61</td><td>15.01</td><td>16.44</td><td>17.19</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.67</td><td>0.14</td><td>0.25</td><td>0.26</td><td>0.30</td></tr><tr><td>C.D. (P=0.05)</td><td>0.20</td><td>0.42</td><td>0.77</td><td>0.80</td><td>0.91</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Organic manure</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>M<sub>1</sub>-0</td><td>2.375</td><td>5.94</td><td>12.57</td><td>13.87</td><td>14.49</td></tr><tr><td>M<sub>2</sub>-10t/ha</td><td>2.615</td><td>7.75</td><td>13.54</td><td>14.63</td><td>15.48</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.05</td><td>0.11</td><td>0.21</td><td>0.21</td><td>0.24</td></tr><tr><td>C.D. (P=0.05)</td><td>0.16</td><td>0.34</td><td>0.63</td><td>0.65</td><td>0.75</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Plant population</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>P<sub>1</sub>-100%</td><td>7.395</td><td>7.19</td><td>12.53</td><td>13.69</td><td>14.13</td></tr><tr><td>P<sub>2</sub>-125%</td><td>7.575</td><td>7.48</td><td>13.59</td><td>14.82</td><td>15.66</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.05</td><td>0.13</td><td>0.27</td><td>0.22</td><td>0.24</td></tr><tr><td>C.D. (P=0.05)</td><td>NS</td><td>NS</td><td>0.80</td><td>0.65</td><td>0.71</td></tr></tbody></table>

NS = Non-significant
### Effect of plant population :

Phosphorus uptake was greatly influenced by plant population regulated by seed rate. Plots sown with 125 kg/ha of seed exhibited uptake of 7.40, 7.19, 12.53, 13.60 and 14.31 kg P₂O₅ per hectare at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and harvest, respectively which increased significantly to 7.58, 7.48, 13.59, 14.82 and 15.66 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively by sowing 156.25 kg of seed/ha.

### Potash- uptake (K₂O %) :

Mean data pertaining to potash uptake as influenced by different treatments under test have been presented in Table 3.

It is clear from table that differences to levels of fertilizer, organic manure and plant population were significant at different growth stages. However, various factor studied did not interact at a level effecting any significant changes at different stages of potash uptake i.e. 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively.

### Effect of levels of fertilizer :

A perusal of data clearly revealed that increase in potash-uptake at different growth stages with successive increase in the dose of fertilizer i.e. optimum dose (F₁) to 125 per cent of optimum (F₂) and again 125 per cent of optimum to 150 per cent of optimum (F₃) was significant. The maximum potash- uptake of 33.50, 78.13, 138.50, 154.50 and 159.50 kg/ha was recorded at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the application of 180 kg FN+ 75 kg P₂O₅ + 60 kg K₂O/ha in wheat crop, which reduced to 28.13, 70.78, 125.00, 139.25 and 143.75 kg/ha

at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the application of 150 kg N + 62.5 kg P₂O₅ + 50 kg K₂O/ha. However, the minimum potash uptake of 21.45, 56.60, 97.25, 110.50 and 113.75 kg/ha was recorded at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the application of optimum dose i.e. 120 kg N+ 50 kg P₂O₅ +40 kg K₂O/ha.

### Effect of organic manure :

Plots getting 10 tons/ha organic manure recorded potash-uptake of 29.57, 71.37, 125.17, 139.67 and 144.17 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively, where as the corresponding values in plots without organic manures were 25.82, 65.63, 115.33, 129.83 and 133.83 kg/ha, respectively.

### Effect of plant population :

Potash-uptake was markedly influenced by plant population regulated by seed rate plots sown with 125 kg/ha of seed recorded an uptake of 29.02, 71.58, 126.33, 140.33 and 144.83 kg/K₂O at 30 AS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively which increased significantly to 26.37, 65.42, 114.17, 129.17 and 133.17 kg/ha at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS, 120 DAS and at harvest, respectively with the application of 156.25 kg of seed/ha.

The results were in agreement with the data obtained by Singh *et al.* (1984) who found that uptake of nutrient was higher in triple super phosphate and nitro phosphate (80 % water soluble P) in experiment conducted to study nitro phosphate as source of phosphorus in wheat. Singh *et al.* (1989) also opined that effect of higher dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash increased the yield of wheat and rice

<table><caption>Table 3: K₂O (%) in plants at different stages of growth</caption><thead><tr><th rowspan="2">Treatments</th><th colspan="5">Days after sowing</th></tr><tr><th>30<sup>th</sup></th><th>60<sup>th</sup></th><th>90<sup>th</sup></th><th>120<sup>th</sup></th><th>at harvest</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Levels of fertilizer</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>1</sub>-100%</td><td>21.45</td><td>56.60</td><td>97.25</td><td>110.50</td><td>113.75</td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>2</sub>- 125%</td><td>28.13</td><td>70.78</td><td>125.00</td><td>139.25</td><td>145.75</td></tr><tr><td>F<sub>3</sub>- 150%</td><td>33.50</td><td>78.13</td><td>138.50</td><td>154.50</td><td>159.50</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.44</td><td>1.32</td><td>2.31</td><td>2.02</td><td>1.81</td></tr><tr><td>C.D.(P=0.05)</td><td>1.33</td><td>3.99</td><td>6.99</td><td>6.08</td><td>5.48</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Organic manure</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>M<sub>1</sub>-0</td><td>25.82</td><td>65.63</td><td>115.33</td><td>129.83</td><td>133.83</td></tr><tr><td>M<sub>2</sub>-10t/ha</td><td>29.57</td><td>71.37</td><td>125.17</td><td>139.83</td><td>144.17</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.36</td><td>1.08</td><td>1.89</td><td>1.64</td><td>1.48</td></tr><tr><td>C.D.(P=0.05)</td><td>1.08</td><td>3.25</td><td>5.70</td><td>4.97</td><td>4.47</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Plant population</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>P<sub>1</sub>-100%</td><td>26.37</td><td>65.42</td><td>114.17</td><td>129.17</td><td>133.17</td></tr><tr><td>P<sub>2</sub>-125%</td><td>29.02</td><td>71.58</td><td>126.33</td><td>140.33</td><td>144.83</td></tr><tr><td>S.E. ≥</td><td>0.45</td><td>1.04</td><td>1.24</td><td>2.46</td><td>2.78</td></tr><tr><td>C.D.(P=0.05)</td><td>1.39</td><td>3.10</td><td>4.67</td><td>7.31</td><td>8.28</td></tr></tbody></table>
in wheat-rice cropping system and also increased the N, P and K uptake significantly in a trial conducted in 1981-82 on a sandy clay loam soil.

The direct effect of N application up to 120 Kg N/ha was significant on N, P and K uptake under no straw, straw incorporation, straw burning and FYM+ straw incorporation (Verma and Dixit, 1989). Uptake of nutrients was found maximum in wheat variety K-8020 with the appropriate sowing dates and optimum fertility levels in winter 1983-84 and 1984-85. However a delay of 15 days after normal sowing showed adverse effect (Pandey and Agrawal, 1991).

Nitrogen application increased the uptake of N, P and K significantly. Application of phosphorus (P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>) up to 80 kg increased the phosphorus significantly. At the same time K<sub>2</sub>O at 40 kg/ha influenced the P uptake significantly (Singh *et al*, 1996). Rather and Sharma (2009a and b) also worked on the effect of integrated use of vermicompost, biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizers on yield and nutrient content and their uptake by wheat.

## Literature Cited

**Das, P.C.** (2004). Manure and fertilizers. Kalyani Publishers, NEW DELHI (INDIA). 7-8pp.

**Epstein, E.** and Bloom, A.J. (2005). Mineral Nutrition of Plants: Principles and Perspectives. (2nd Ed.) Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Massachusetts.

**Iqtidar, H.,** Khan, M.A. and Khan, E.A. (2006). Bread wheat varieties as influenced by different nitrogen levels. *J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B.*, **7** (1): 70-78.

**Jackson, M.L.** (1967). *Soil Chemical Analysis*. Prentice Hall India Pvt. Ltd., NEW DELHI (INDIA).

**Li, X.,** Hu, C., Delgado, J.A., Zhang, Y. and Ouyang, Z. (2007). Increased nitrogen use efficiencies as a key mitigation alternative to reduce nitrate leaching in north China plain. *Agri. Water Manage*, **89**(1-2): 137-147.

**Nambiar, K.K.M** and Abral, I.P. (1992). Long term fertilizer

experiment in India. An overview. *Fertil. News*, **34** (4): 11 – 26.

**Pandey, Ramji** and Agrawal, M.M. (1991). Response of wheat to fertility levels, varieties and sowing dates. *Indian J. Agron.*, **36** (1): 43-45.

**Prasad, R.** and Pathak, P.K. (2009). Crop response and nutrient ratio, Policy Paper No-42, NAAS, NEW DELHI (INDIA).

**Rangaswami, R.** (1995). *A text book of Agricultural Statistics*. 390pp.

**Rather, Shabir Ahmad** and Sharma, Narinder Lal (2009a). Effect of integrated nutrient management practices on yield and nutrient uptake by wheat and their residual effect on succeeding mung crop in wheat-mung cropping system. *Internat. J. Agric. Sci.*, **5** (2): 494-496.

**Rather, Shabir Ahmad** and Sharma, Narinder Lal (2009b). The effect of integrated use of vermicompost, biofertilizer (*Azotobacter chroococcum*) and inorganic fertilizers (N, P, K and Zn) on yield and nutrient content and their uptake by wheat. *Internat. J. Agric. Sci.*, **5** (2): 371-373.

**Semenov, M.A.**, Jamieson, P.D. and Martre, P. (2007). Deconvoluting nitrogen use efficiency in wheat: A simulation study. *Europ. J. Agron.*, **26** (3): 283-294.

**Singh, V.P.**, Agrawal, M.M. and Yadav, J.S. (1984). Nitrophosphate as a source of phosphatic fertilizers for wheat. *Indian J. Agron.*, **29** (1): 20-22.

**Singh, M.P.**, Singh, Yashwant and Singh, Mahatim (1989). Effect of N, P and K on yield and nutrient uptake by wheat and rice in wheat-rice cropping system. *Ann. Agril. Res.*, **10** (4): 387-395.

**Singh, S.**, Singh, R. and Kumar, P. (1991). Response of wheat to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization. *Indian J. Agron.* **41** (1): 157-159.

**Sylvia, D.M.**, Fuhrmann J.J., Hartel P.G. and Zuberer, D.A. (2005). *Principles and Applications of Soil Microbiology*, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA, (2nd Ed.).

**Verma, T.S.** and Dixit, S.P. (1989). Paddy straw management in wheat-paddy cropping system in north-west Himalaya Soils. *Oryza*, **26** (1-2): 48-60.

9th
★★★★★of Excellence★★★★