School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Burla-768017
Superphosphate application increased the duration of spikelet production on the main shoot apex of wheat variety Sonalika resulting in increase in spikelet number in comparison to the control where no phosphorus was applied. Total phosphorus concentration of the inflorescence remained higher in the phosphorus supplied plants upto the time of terminal spikelet formation. Superphosphate treatment also increased the number of tillers and the total phosphorus concentration of the main shoot and tillers. Phosphorus supplementation could have a direct effect on spikelet and tiller production, or the effect could have been mediated through an increase in the net assimilation rate of the plant.
