Effect of phosphorus application and irrigation scheduling on wheat yield and phosphorus use efficiency

In view of the importance of wheat, less available and costly P fertilizer and shortage of water a field study was conducted under farmer’s field conditions to see the effect of phosphorus application and irrigation scheduling on wheat yield and phosphorus use efficiency. Fertilizer P doses 0, 47, 81 and 111 kg P2O5 ha^-1 were calculated by using adsorption isotherms and applied by broadcast and band placement. Four irrigations i.e. 0, 2, 3, 4 were applied at critical stages of wheat. Basal N:K=130:65 kg ha^-1 were applied. Wheat grain yield increased from 1.58 Mg ha^-1 to 3.94 Mg ha^-1 with the use of P @ 81 kg P2O5 ha^-1. Band placement of P proved better over broadcast, whilst three irrigations at crown roots, booting, and grain development stages were sufficient to get maximum yield and improve phosphorus use efficiency.