PJB-2024-588
EFFECT OF MAIZE STOVER MULCHING AND RAISE BED PLANTING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT UNDER REDUCED DOSE OF NPK FERTILIZATION
Muhammad Musa
Abstract
A field study was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm, University of Agriculture Peshawar, to evaluate the effects of mulching, different sowing methods, and split NPK application on the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications, including two sowing methods (raised bed and flatbed), mulching (maize stover mulch and no mulch), and NPK fertilization at three levels: control, 50% (60-45-30 kg ha-1), and 100% (120-90-60 kg ha-1). Wheat variety Gulzar 19 was sown at a seed rate of 100 kg ha-1 in plots of 3 m x 3 m. Results showed that both sowing methods and mulching, along with NPK application, significantly affected various growth parameters, including emergence, tillers m-2, plant height, leaf area, and phenological stages. Wheat grown under raised bed sowing with mulching and full NPK application showed delayed emergence but achieved higher emergence rates, taller plants, larger leaf areas, and an extended phenological period compared to other treatments. Additionally, raised bed sowing and mulch application resulted in significantly higher spikelets per spike, grains per spike, thousand-grain weight, and ultimately, greater grain and biological yields. The highest yields and harvest index were achieved with 100% NPK application, particularly in raised bed plots with mulch. These results suggest that the combination of raised bed sowing, mulch, and full NPK fertilization is optimal for enhancing wheat growth and productivity in the agro-ecological conditions of Peshawar.
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