Effects of phosphorus and zinc fertilizer applications on nutrient concentrations in plant and grain yield in cv. Sardari «Triticum aestivum» under dryland conditions

Interaction effects of phosphorus and zinc fertilizer applications on nutrient concentrations and grain yield in cv. Sardari were studied under dryland conditions. In order to do this study, experiments were conducted with 4 phosphorus levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg P2O5.ha-1) and 4 zinc levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg Zn.ha-1) in using factorial arrangement in Rondomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications for 3 cropping seasons (1995-1998) in Dryland Agricultural Research Institute Station, maragheh, Iran. The results showed that phosphorus application did not significantly increase 1000-kernel weight, wheat grain and straw yield. However, phosphorus application increased concentrations of P, Fe, Mn, Cu and B in flag leaf, but decreased Zn concentration. Znic application increased grain and straw yields. Zinc application also increased N and K concentrations in flag leaf but decreased P, Fe and Mn concentrations. Phosphorous and Zine fertilizer applications increased grain and straw yields, but dercreased K, Fe, Mn and B concentrations in flag leaf of Path analysis showed that grain yield correlated with Mn concentration in flag leaf and influenced in variation concentration of other nutrients. It could be concluded that phosphorus and zinc fertilizer applications influance grain yield and nutrient concentrations in plant. If phosphorus and zinc fertilizers are applied together, Mn fertilizer is required for nutrient balance to optimize grain yield.