Potassium and zinc fertilization of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in western arid zone of India

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2007–08 and 2008–09 at Jobner on loamy sand soil to assess the influence of different levels of K and Zn on wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori & Paol]. Treatments comprised of four levels each of fertilizer K (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg K₂O/ha) and Zn (0, 3, 6 and 9 kg Zn/ha) in a randomized block design with four replications. Results revealed that the application of 40 kg K₂O/ha recorded the significantly highest dry matter accumulation (881 g/m²), effective tillers (257/m²), grains/spike (46.2), test weight (39.4 g), grain yield (3.20 t/ha) and biological yield (8.0 t/ha) of wheat. However, uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn in wheat was increased significantly up to 60 kg K₂O/ha. Application of 60 kg K₂O/ha also recorded the highest values of net returns (29,502), B:C ratio (1.55) and returns/rupee invested (2.51). Zn fertilization in wheat at 6 kg Zn/ha was found to be statistically best in terms of growth, yield attributes, and yield. The nutrient uptake (N, K, S and Zn) in wheat, except uptake of P was increased significantly up to 9 kg Zn/ha, which also recorded the highest net returns (29,425), B:C ratio (1.52) and returns/rupee invested (2.47). The values of efficiency indices were decreased with increasing doses of K and Zn.