Effect of P×S interactions on nutrient concentration and yield of wheat, rice and mungbean

Interactions between nutrient elements play a dominant role in governing their availability and utilization by plants. In order to study the interaction effects between P and S in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mungbean (Vigna radiata L.), field experiments were conducted using three rates of P (0, 17.6 and 35.2 kg P ha⁻¹ for each crop) and three rates of S (0, 20 and 40 kg S ha⁻¹ for wheat and rice and 0, 10 and 20 kg S ha⁻¹ for mungbean). The concentrations of P and S were increased with increasing doses of P and S in wheat, rice and mungbean plants. Interactions between P and S resulted in antagonistic effect on P concentration in wheat and rice plants when P and S were applied at higher combinations. The P×S interactions showed additive and beneficial effects on the concentrations and uptake of S by wheat and rice plants and on the concentrations of P and S in mungbean plants. The uptake of P and S by wheat and rice plants was not affected due to P×S interactions. The yields of wheat (grain and straw) was dependent on the rates of P and S application; the higher rates of their application (35.2 kg P + 40 kg S ha⁻¹) showed antagonism in terms of reduction in the yields. Applications of 35.2 kg P with 20 kg S ha⁻¹ produced the highest yield of wheat. Interactions between P and S showed additive and beneficial effects on both the grain and straw yields of rice. The highest grain yield of rice was obtained with the application of 17.6 kg P + 20 kg S ha⁻¹. The P×S interactions at higher rates (35.2 kg P + 20 kg S ha⁻¹) resulted antagonism on the grain yield of mungbean.