Effect of phosphorus applied as superphosphate on rate of development and spikelet number per ear of different cultivars of wheat

Abstract

The effects of adding phosphorus (40 kg of phosphorus ha^-1) at sowing on rate of development, spikelet number per ear, rate of spikelet initiation, apex length at floral initiation, and leaf number at ear emergence of the main shoot of seven wheat cultivars were studied under a 16 hr photoperiod at a constant temperature of 20°C. Phosphorus additions increased the spikelet number per ear, rate of spikelet initiation, and apex length significantly in all wheats, but had no effect on the duration of the vegetative phase, spikelet phase or elongation phase, or on leaf number. The increase in spikelet number was due to an increase of spikelet initiation. All wheats responded similarly to addition of phosphorus.