Impact of phosphorus and potassium levels on yield and yield components of maize

Intensive cropping pattern has deprived the soil of essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).This has resulted in lowering maize yield.P application control plant growth behavior.P is needed for utilization of sugar and starch, photosynthesis, cell division, nucleus and fat and albumen formation.K is well documented in protein synthesis, enzyme activation, stomatal movement, water relation and photosynthesis in plants.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of P and K on yield and yield components of maize.The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design during 2014-15 at Agronomy Research Farm of Agriculture University Peshawar-Pakistan.Maize hybrid "Pioneer-3025" was use as a test crop.Experiment was composed of four levels of P (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha -1 ) and four level of K (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha -1 ).Result showed that P applied at 120 kg ha -1 increased rows ear -1 by 40%, grains row -1 by 18%, grains ear -1 by 41%, thousand grains weight by 8%, biological yield by 41%, stover yield by 34%, grain yield by 55% and harvest index by 10% over control.Similarly, K applied at 90 kg ha -1 increased rows ear -1 by 40%, grains row -1 by 15%, grains ear -1 by 36%, thousand grains weight by 8%, biological yield by 36%, stover yield by 25%, grain yield by 56% and harvest index by 15% over control.It is concluded that P at the rate of 120 kg ha -1 and K at the rate of 90 kg ha -1 should be applied for improved yield and yield component of maize in agro climatic conditions of Peshawar.