Prospects of Using Gypsum to Conserve Water and Improve Wheat Yield in Rainfed Aridisols

A long term field study (2005-10) was carried out at the farmer's field to evaluate the residual effect of gypsum on soil moisture conservation and wheat production under rainfed conditions. The treatments included application of gypsum @ 0, 1 and 2 t/ha, and its comparison with farmer practice...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pakistan journal of scientific and industrial research. Series B: biological sciences 2013-03, Vol.56 (1), p.11-17
Main Authors: Rehman, Obaid Ur, Rashid, Muhammad, Alvi, Sarosh, Kausar, Rahina, Khalid, Rizwan, Iqbal, Tanvir
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Crop yields
Growth
Gypsum
Management
Water
Wheat
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Summary:A long term field study (2005-10) was carried out at the farmer's field to evaluate the residual effect of gypsum on soil moisture conservation and wheat production under rainfed conditions. The treatments included application of gypsum @ 0, 1 and 2 t/ha, and its comparison with farmer practice (F.P). The basal dose of fertilizers NPK was applied @ 120, 80, 60 kg/ha every year before the sowing o wheat. Soil samples were collected before the sowing of wheat every year for soil moisture determination. Gypsum application not only resulted in an increase in soil moisture contents (up to 41%) but also improved grain yield up to 23% and straw yield up to 19%. The effect of gypsum was noticeable during low rainfall years compared to control (0 t/ha gypsum). The results showed that the gypsum could be an effective additive for soil amendment, enhancing wheat yield in rainfed areas by conserving soil moisture and nutrients. Keywords: gypsum, wheat, moisture, rainfed, soil moisturte
ISSN:2221-6421
2223-2567
DOI:10.52763/PJSIR.BIOL.SCI.56.1.2013.11.17