Impact of Phosphorus and Sulphur Application on Yield, Phosphorus and Micronutrients Uptake by Wheat Plants

A field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm Station of Soils and Water Department, Faculty of Agricultural, Assiut University, during 2013/2014 growth season to investigate the effect of application of phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) on yield, and the uptake of phosphorus and some micronutrients by wheat plants. The treatments comprised of three P levels (0, 30, 60 kg P₂O₅ fed^-1) and three S levels (0, 100, 200 kg S fed^-1) in different combinations. Applications of P at 30 and 60 kg P₂O₅ fed^-1 showed significant increases in the main straw yield of wheat of 4.45 to 10.50%, respectively, over the control. Also, S addition at 100 and 200 kg S fed^-1 resulted in a significant increase in the main wheat straw yield of 1.51 and 3.11 % over the control, respectively. Moreover, a respective significant increase in the main grain yield of 3.58 to 9.56 % was observed due to application of the two P levels, but both applied S levels caused a respective significant increase in the main grain yield of 1.50 to 3.08 % over the control. The application effect of both P and S was synergistic at all applied levels. Applying P at levels of 30 and 60 kg P₂O₅ fed^-1 produced an increase in the main P uptake of 23.19 and 54.23 % by wheat straw, respectively, and 11.89 and 28.83% by wheat grains, respectively, over the control. Also, S applications caused similar effect on the main P uptake by both straw and grains. Moreover, the highest applied P level caused increases in main Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu uptakes of 43.32, 48.65, 36.37 and 69.75 %, respectively, by the straw, respectively, and increases in main Zn, Mn and Cu uptakes of  36.37, 16.92 and 75.02%, respectively, by the grains  over the control, and decreases in the Fe uptake of 1.63% by grain . In addition, the highest S applied level resulted in increases in the main uptake of Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu of 21.29, 22.52, 53.32 and 58.83%, respectively, by the straw and 15.04, 16.12, 26.18 and 28.16%, respectively, by the grains over the control.