Muhammad Fawad

Bio: Muhammad Fawad is an academic researcher from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The author has contributed to research in topics: Calcareous & Yield (engineering). The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 7 publications receiving 20 citations.

Application of different organic manures in optimizing optimum yield for wheat in calcareous soil

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2014-2015 at a farm field located in Swabi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with the main aim to evaluate the influence of different organic manures on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with four replications. The treatments were: T1 (control, no manure), T2 (Cattle manure), T3 (Poultry manure), and T4 (Sheep manure). All the organic manures were applied at the rate of 10 tha. At maturity, plant height (cm), number of grains per spike, grain yield, and biological yield were recorded. Results led to the conclusion that T3 (poultry manure) gave the best results, as compared to other treatments. The values of plant height, biological yield and grain yield were 87 cm, 13.66 tha and 5.750 tha, respectively, for poultry manure treatment. Results for number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight were found non-significant in the prevailing soil condition.

Response of Mung Bean Crop to Different Levels of Applied Iron and Zinc

Abstract: Fertilization of Mung bean (Vigna radiataL) is one of the most crucial management technique which effects crop growth and yield. Therefore the present study was carried out at Agricultural Research Station Kohat under rain fed conditions during spring 2017, to assess the response of mung bean (Vigna radiateL.) to three levels of iron (0, 2 and 5 kg ha-1) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete design with split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The results revealed that application of Fe at the rate 5 kg ha-1and Zn at the rate 10 kg ha-1significantly increased biological yield, grain yield, straw yield, nodule numbers and weight by 5624 kg ha-1, 968 kg ha-1, 4655 kg ha-1, 35 and 0.67g respectively whereas the interaction was found non- significant. The nitrogen content in grains and straw was also significantly increased by 2.22% and 3.56% respectively with application of Fe at 5 kg ha-1and Zn at 10 kg ha-1, however their interaction was also found non-significant. Similarly the plant nitrogen uptake was also significantly increased by 323.33 kg ha-1with application of Fe at 5 kg ha-1and Zn at 10 kg ha-1.It was concluded that Fe and Zn enhanced mung bean productivity.

Effectiveness of Phosphorous Fertilizers in Wheat Crop Production in Pakistan

Abstract: Phosphorus is that element of periodic table, which is extensively found in nature and along with Nitrogen (N) and potassium represents the overall composition of plants and animal life. Phosphorus performed different metabolic activities in plants and is one of the key elements for the maturation of plants and boosting up the larger quantities. As it has a vital role in the metabolism and energy production reaction and can survive the unfavorable environmental effects so cause increase in yield. A research review was carried out on the effectiveness of P fertilizers on wheat crop in Pakistan. Almost all of the researchers in all areas indicated that P fertilizers significantly improved the growth as well as yield parameters of wheat crop. But the optimum rate of P fertilizer at which highest yield recorded was different for each area, soil and environmental condition. Although these findings on P fertilization representing many capable results regarding to yield and yield components of wheat but still further research is strongly recommended to evaluate the dynamics of P in soil as well as the interaction effect of P with other micro and macro nutrients.

Investigating Combination and Individual Impact of Phosphorus and Humic Acid on Yield of Wheat and Some Soil Properties

Abstract: In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of Phosphorous (P) alone and in combination with Humic acid (HA) on the yield and P accumulation by wheat( Triticumaestivum L, CV Fakhr-e-Sarhad)., a field experiment was carried out at agriculture research station of Swabi, Pakistan during 2016-2017. A total of eight treatments replicated four times were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in the field. Two levels of HA including control (H0: control and H1: 500 g ha -1 ) and four levels of P (P 2 O 5 ) including control as Single Super Phosphate (SSP) (P0: control, P1: 60 kg ha -1 , P2: 90 kg ha -1 , and P3: 150 kg ha -1 ) were utilized. ; Size of each plot was kept to 5x4 m. Addition of different levels of SSP alone and in combination with HA significantly (P<0.05) improved straw, grain and total wheat yield over control. HA in combination with 60 and 90 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 improved the grain yield by 22.4 and 6.5 % respectively as compared to the same amount of fertilizer applied alone. Total yield (Dry mass + Grains) of 20877 kg ha -1 was produced by the treatment P2H1 (90 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 + 500 g ha -1 HA) followed by the treatment P2H0, which were 78.69 and 75.03 % increases over the control. Significantly highest 1000- grain weight of 47.8 g was recorded in the treatment P2H1 while all other treatments showed non-significant increase in 1000- grain weight. Unlike soil pH values, improvement in the Soil Organic Matter content (SOM) was observed with the application of both HA and chemical fertilizers either applied alone or in combination. SSP applied either alone or in combination with HA increased significantly (P<0.05) the post-harvest soil P concentration as well as P accumulation by wheat plants over control. Results suggest that application 90 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 reinforced with HA (P2H1) may be considered as an optimum dosage for achieving optimum yield of wheat crop.

Performance of Wheat (Tricticum avestium L.) as Influenced By Application of Single Super Phosphate Alone and In Combination with Different Organic Fertilizers In Calcareous Soil of Swabi, Pakistan

Abstract: Effect of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) alone and in combination with different organic fertilizers on wheat ( Tricticum avestium L.) Production was evaluated in a field study conducted at farmer field located Swabi, Pakistan during 2017-18. Results exposed that among all the treatments, combined application of SSP at 100kg ha -1 along with 6 t ha -1 Poultry manure significantly improved the growth as well as yield parameters of wheat crop. On the other hand spike length remained unaffected by all the treatments in the prevailing soil and environmental condition. Combined use of SSP and PM were suggested for obtaining optimum yield of wheat crop

Soil application of zinc improves the growth, yield and grain zinc biofortification of mungbean

Abstract: The grain legumes are a vital component of the sustainable crop production systems as these are not only a good source of dietary proteins but also help to improve soil nutrients status through biological nitrogen fixation. Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) is one of the leading grain legumes which is planted all across the globe. Zinc (Zn) is one of the most critical micronutrients required by crop plants, including mungbean, as well as for the human being. This study was carried out to optimize the Zn soil application for vigorous seedling growth, grain yield and grain biofortification of mungbean. Zinc was soil applied at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg Zn kg-1 soil. The results showed that soil application of Zn improved the seedling growth, morphological and yield parameters, grain yield and grain Zn concentration of mungbean. However, Zn soil application at 10 mg Zn kg-1 soil was significantly better for improving the seedling growth, morphological and yield parameters, grain yield and grain biofortification. It is recommended that Zn should be soil applied at 10 mg Zn kg-1 soil to harvest better grain yield and Zn-enriched grains of mungbean to overcome Zn malnutrition.

Optimizing Phosphorus Levels in Wheat Grown in a Calcareous Soil with the Use of Adsorption Isotherm Models

Abstract: Crop response to phosphorous (P) application is often erratic in most soil types in the world. In alkaline calcareous soils, P retention and mobilization take place due to precipitation and adsorption. P adsorption isotherms are the powerful tools for assessing optimum P levels for different crops and soils. Laboratory and field studies were carried out to evaluate P sorption capacity in a highly calcareous soil and corresponding fertilizer levels for yielding 0.1 to 1.0 mg P L−1 of soil solution. Although Freundlich adsorption isotherm model showed a better fit than Langmuir model, P fertilizer levels used in the field, ranging from 20 to 150 kg P2O5 ha−1, were based on Langmuir model to yield the estimated P solution. Moreover, nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) were applied at the rates of 120 and 60 kg ha−1 as urea and potassium sulfate (K2SO4), respectively, in a basal treatment at the time of sowing. Grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, spike length, and biological yield were increased as the level of P increased, but the non-significant differences among 90, 100, and 120 kg P2O5 ha−1 for most of the above parameters suggested that the former rate could be the maximum level for wheat fertilization in the calcareous soil. Similarly, plant N, P, and K were increased with application of P, but non-significant differences were observed from doses 90 to 120 kg P2O5 ha−1. Moreover, the rate of 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 could yield 0.6 mg P L−1 of soil solution as per Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, while as per Freundlich model, this value could reach only 0.3–0.4 mg P L−1, which is close to the published literature. It is concluded that Freundlich adsorption isotherm is more suitable to be used for the calculation of phosphatic fertilizer rate and its adsorption capacity in the given soil than Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

Integrated phosphorus nutrient sources improve wheat yield and phosphorus use efficiency under sub humid conditions.

Abstract: Majority of Pakistani soils are deficient in phosphorus. Phosphorus is usually applied in form of synthetic fertilizer. However integrated use of P from synthetic and organic sources can be more profitable and beneficial on sustainable basis. Field trials were conducted at research farm University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJK, Pakistan for two consecutive years to check the comparative effects of synthetic fertilizer and organic manures applied alone and in combinations on the phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), wheat yield and yield components. Shafaq-06 cultivar of wheat was used as test cultivar. Ten treatments were included: (I) Control (P0) without application of fertilizer; (II) SSP @ 60 kg/ha (P60SSP); (III) SSP @ 90 kg/ha (P90SSP); (IV) SSP @ 120 kg/ha (P120SSP); (V) PM @60 kg/ha (P60PM); (VI) PM @90 kg/ha (P90PM); (VII) PM @120 kg/ha (P120PM); (VIII) SSP @30 kg/ha + PM @30 kg/ha (P30SSP+30PM); (IX) SSP @45 kg/ha + PM @45 kg/ha (P45SSP+45PM); (X) SSP @60 kg/ha + PM @60 kg/ha (P60SSP+60PM) which were laid out under the Randomized Complete Block Design. Significantly higher values for yield of grain (2397 kg/ha) was recorded with PM + SSP @ 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 each. Likewise, FPUE, PIR of wheat and AFPUE was quite higher with combined use of PM and SSP i.e. P60SSP+60PM treatment. Additionally, increase in PUE, wheat yield and yield components associated with combined treated plot would help to minimize the use of high cost synthetic mineral fertilizers and represents an environmentally and agronomically sound management strategy.

Mungbean management guide 2nd edition

Abstract: The mungbean management guide includes a checklist for growing mungbeans, and information about different varieties and seed quality, nutrition, weeds, disease and insect management, irrigation, harvesting, marketing and budgeting. The guide highlights the importance of: talking to marketers before choosing a variety choosing an approved, high germination and vigour seed planning weed and herbicide strategies monitoring for diseases timely insect control timely dessication.