RESPONSE OF MAIZE TO PHOSPHORUS AND SULPHUR FERTILIZATION

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the rc,hi season of 2006-07 to study the response of maize to phosphorus and sulphur fertilization. The experimental soil was silty clay loam and the pit was 48. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 (three) replications of each treatment. There were lb treatments. The treatments consisted of4 (four) levels of P (0. 35, 50 and 65 kg P/ha) designated as Po. Pc, Ps0 and Pc,c respectively and 4 (four) levels of S (0. 25, 40 and 55 kg S/ha) designated as SI). S25. S.u,. and S.s. respectively. 'ISP and Gypsum were used as the sources of phosphorus and sulphur. respectively. Phosphorus and sulphur fertilizers were applied according to fertilizer recomniendation of BARE. There was a positive impact of P and S and their interaction on growth, yield and yield attributes of maize. Application of 50 kg P/ha resulted tallest plant, highest number of cobs/plant, maximum cob length, maximum grains/cob, highest circumference of cob, highest grain and Mover yield, N and S uptake by plant and available P in post harvest soil. Highest values in respect of plant height, cobs/plant, cob length. grains/cob, circumference of cob, grain yield. Mover yield, shelling percentage, N content in maize plant, N, K and S uptake by maize plant, organic carbon and available P in post harvest soil were obtained with 40 kg S/ha. Combined application of P and S had significant effect on plant height, number of cobs/plant, cob length, grain/cob, circumference of cob. 1000-grain weight, grain yield, Mover yield. N, P. K and S content in maize plant. N, P, K and S uptake by maize plant, organic carbon and total N in post harvest soil. Phosphorus 50 kg/ha with sulphur Q). 40 kg/ha gave the highest plant height, number of cobs/plant, cob length, grain/cob, circumference of cob- 1000-grain weight, grain yield, stover yield and S uptake by maize plant. Therefore, application of 50 kg P along with 40 kg S/ha and recommended other nutrients is the most suitable treatment combination for the efficient production of maize in the soils of the Modhupur Tract. Application of phosphorus and sulphur at their higher levels of combination showed antagonistic effects on both the concentrations and uptake of phosphorus and sulphur and on the concentration of potassium in maize plant.