Effect of foliar and soil application of NPK on different growth parametersand nodulation in lentil

A series of experiments were conducted at Quaid-i-Azam University during1999-2000 to evaluate foliar, soil and combined effect of foliar and soilapplication of NPK on different growth parameters and nodulation in Lensculinaris Medic. The parameters studied were shoot length, root length, freshshoot weight, dry shoot weight, fresh root weight, dry root weight andnumber of nodules per plant. Maximum growth was recorded for the plantstreated with NPK both through soil and foliage. Use of detergent in foliarapplication of NPK enhanced different growth parameters. Optimal concentrationof NPK for the various growth parameters was found to be 0.35% Nitrogen,0.32% Phosphorous and 0.50% Potassium at pH 7.0, both for foliar and soilapplication. Timing of fertilizer application also affected growth and nodulation.Multiple application of both soil and foliar application gave better results ascompared to single application of NPK. Soil application produce better resultscompared to foliar application when applied alone. The foliar application of NPKenhanced the number of nodules per plant. However, foliar spray of nitrogenalone caused a decrease in number of nodules per plant but the size ofnodules showed a significant increase.