The document discusses the role of phosphorus on the yield and yield components of maize. It finds that application of phosphorus significantly improves maize yields and components such as plant height, number of cobs per plant, and number of grains per cob. Research presented in tables shows increases in biological yield, grain yield, shoot dry matter, and total above ground biomass with phosphorus application levels between 40-100 kg P2O5 per hectare. The conclusion is that applying 40-100 kg P2O5/ha is effective for higher maize yields, depending on soil fertility and location.

1. SAM HIGGINBOTTOM UNIVERSITY OF
AGRICULTURE,TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES
AGRN 780
MASTER’S SEMINAR ON
ROLE OF PHOSPHORUS ON THE YIELD AND YIELD
COMPONENTS OF MAIZE
Submitted by:
SUMAN KUMAR DEY
19MSAGRO070
MSc. Ag.(Agronomy)
1st semester

2. Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal in
the world after wheat and rice and wheat for food.
Maize is an exhaustive crop having higher potential than
other cereals and absorbs large quantity of nutrients
from the soil during different growth stages.
Phosphorus is one of the most important essential plant
nutrients for higher yield in larger quantity .
INTRODUCTION

3. Phosphorus increases the power of diseases resistance.
It enhances the root formation and necessary for root
development.
It is needed for growth & photosynthesis.
Most essential functions are energy storage and transfer
of energy (ADP and ATP) , act as “energy currency” .
FUNCTIONS OF PHOSPHORUS IN
MAIZE

4. Phosphorus deficient plants are dark green in colour
than normal plants.
Leaves develop purple discoloration first on the
underside and later throughout.
Plant growth becomes slow.
Stalks become thin and shortened and maturity is
delayed.
Cob size is severely reduced.
PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS IN MAIZE

5. PURPLE LEAF DISCOLORATION REDUCED COB SIZE

6. VARIOUS SOURCES OF PHOSPHORUS
SSP(16% P₂O₅) DSP(32% P₂O₅) TSP(48% P₂O₅)
FYM(0.25% P₂O₅) PM(0.4%-0.5%P₂O₅)
DAP(46% P₂O₅)
INORGANIC SOURCES
ORGANIC SOURCES

7. Since phosphorus plays a major role in root
development, entire dose of phosphorus (40-60 kg P₂O₅/
ha) should be applied in early stages.
It should be applied in moist zone for its easy absorption
by plant.
It’s application in single dose as a placement below seed
(band placement) is highly desirable.
TIME OF APPLICATION

8. RESEARCH FIENDINGS

9. P level
( kg/ha)
Number of
Plants/m²
Plant height
(cm)
Number of
cobs/
plant
Number of
Grains/cob
0 4 146b 0.86c 290b
50 5 151ab 0.97b 315a
100 6 158a 1.19a 327a
150 6 153ab 1.02b 320a
200 5 147b 0.96b 312a
LSD(0.05) NS 7.16 0.103 15.81
TABLE 1:Effect of different levels of phosphorus on Number
of plants/m², Plant height, Number of cobs/plant, Number of
grains/cob of maize
Chaudhary,et al ., (2003)
*P= P₂O₅ form

10. P application
( kg/ha)
Test weight (1000
grain
weight ) (g)
Biological
yield (kg /ha)
Grain yield
(kg /ha)
0 188 5754 1305c
20 210 5936 1816bc
40 241 7999 2415a
60 220 6454 2027ab
80 219 7130 1930ab
LSD(0.05) NS NS 594.3
TABLE 2: Impact of phosphorus on Test weight,
Biological yield and Grain yield of maize
Nawazet.al ., (2004)
*P= P₂O₅ form

11. Applied P (kg/ha) Shoot dry matter (kg/ha ) Total above ground
biomass (kg/ha)
0 3779 5741b
10 4009 6466ab
20 4349 6117ab
30 3838 6873ab
40 4059 7142a
50 3845 6040ab
60 3798 5847b
LSD(0.05) NS 1191
TABLE 3: Effects of phosphorus on Shoot dry matter and
Total above ground biomass of maize
Hussein, (2009)
*P= P₂O₅ form

12. From the research findings it is clear that application of
phosphorus to maize is significant in yield and some
yield components as the soils are inherently low in
phosphorus. Depending upon the locality, initial soil
fertility status, application of 40-100 kg P₂O₅/ha has
been found effective for higher yield and yield
components of maize.
CONCLUSION

13. Chaudhary, E.H., Ranjha, A.M., Gill, M.A. and Mehd, S.M. 2003.
Phosphorus requirement of maize in relation to soil
characteristics.International Journal of Agriculture and Biology,
4:625 – 629.
Hussain, N., Khan, A. Z., Akbar, H. and Akhtar, S. 2006. Growth factors
and yield of maize as influenced by phosphorus fertilization.
Sarhad J. Agric., 22(4): 579-583.
Hussein, M.A. 2009. Phosphorus use efficiency by two varieties of corn
at different phosphorus fertilizer application rates.Research
Journal of Applied Sciences , 5:85-93.
Nawaz, N., Sarwar, G., Naseeb, T. and Yousaf, M. 2004. Effect of
various levels of phosphorus on the growth and yield of maize.
Sarhad J. Agric. , 20(2): 251-253.
REFERENCES

14. THANK YOU