Interactive effect of phosphorus and boron on plant growth, nutrient accumulation and grain yield of wheat grown on calcareous soil

Abstract

Most of the arable soils in Pakistan are deficient in plant available phosphorus (P) andboron (B) primarily due to alkaline and calcareous nature along with low organic matter.A combined deficiency of these nutrients may intensify the plant growth suppression byreducing their efficient utilization. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate theinteractive effect of P and B on growth, nutrient accumulation and grain yield of wheatgrown on calcareous soil. Wheat crop was grown at three P levels (45, 90 and 135 kg P ha1) in combination with five B levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg B ha-1) following completelyrandomized design. The results revealed that yield and yield related attributes increasedlinearly with the addition of B at each P level. Nonetheless, the significant interactive effectof both nutrients was most pronounced in the treatment having 90 kg P ha-1 and 1.5 kg Bha-1. Applied B rates resulted in relatively higher P concentration in grains and straw at Plevel of 90 kg ha-1 contrarily to 45 and 135 kg P ha-1. The B concentration in grains andstraw increased with corresponding addition of B at each P level but at variable rate, withthe maximum response at higher P level. Grain and straw yield illustrated positivecorrelation with total P uptake (R2 = 0.96 and 0.81) and total B uptake (R2 = 0.95 and 0.70)respectively. Likewise, positive correlation (R2 = 0.94) between total P uptake and total Buptake under combined application of P and B indicated their synergistic relationship.Overall, the treatment combination of 90 kg P ha-1 with 1.5 kg B ha-1 was found as the mostsuitable dose for better plant growth, nutrient accumulation and grain yield of wheat