INFLUENCE OF SULPHUR AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF WHEAT CROP GROWN IN PESHAWAR REGION OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

The effects of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) on the growth, yield and quality of wheat were studied at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar during the year 2009-10. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split plot arrangement with N rates as main plot factor i.e., optimum N at sowing: 120 kg ha -1 , excessive N at sowing: 200 kg ha -1 , optimum split N at sowing and anthesis: 60-60 kg ha -1 , excessive split N at sowing and anthesis: 100,100 kg ha -1 and Soil and foliar applied S as subplot factor i.e., Untreated/control, soil S at stem extension: 20 kg ha -1 , foliar S at stem extension: 20 kg ha - 1 , soil S at anthesis: 20 kg ha -1 , foliar S at anthesis: 20 kg ha -1 , foliar S at Stem extension and anthesis: 10,10 kg ha -1 were used. S application at stem extension (20 kg ha -1 ) either applied to soil or foliage of the crop caused greater grain yields irrespective of the dose of N application (optimum or excessive). The increased grain yields appeared to be the result of a higher number of spikes produced due to applied foliar S (20 kg ha -1 ) at stem extension or then it may be the result of a higher leaf area produced due to S (20 kg ha -1 ) application to the soil at stem extension. Sulphur at 20 kg ha -1 should be applied to the wheat crop at stem extension, either as foliar spray or to the soil alongside applications of an optimum dose of N, i.e., 120 kg ha -1 in order to improve both the quantity and quality of the produce.