EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM APPLICATION RATE ON GRAIN YIELD OF WINTER WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) ASSOCIATED WITH AGRONOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

The present study was conducted at the Research Farm, The University of  Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan to observe the effect of different potassium (K₂O) levels on wheat productivity. Wheat variety Fakhre NIPA 2023 was tested for different potassium (K₂O) levels of 0, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 kg ha^-1. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant (P≤0.05) effect of different potassium (K₂O) levels on emergence m^-2, tillers m^-2, 1000 grains weight (g) and grain yield (kg ha^-1) while a non-significant (P>0.05) effect on leaf area (cm²), plant height (cm), spike length (cm) and grains spike^-1. The data revealed the highest Emergence m^-2 (42.99), leaves plant^-1 (5.43) for potassium (K₂O) level of 80 kg ha^-1. The results further indicated highest leaf area (32.53 cm²) for plots treated with potassium (K₂O) level of 70 kg ha^-1. Similarly maximum, spike length (10.24 cm), 1000 grains weight (35.36g), grains spike^-1 (43.63) and grain yield (5168 kg ha^-1) were recorded for plots applied with potassium (K₂O) at the rate of 90 kg ha^-1. The maximum Tillers m^-2 (186.55 m^-2) were noted for potassium (K₂O) level of 70 kg ha^-1. It was concluded that potassium (K₂O) level of 90 kg ha^-1 resulted in maximum growth and yield components than all other treatments under study.