Yield response of rice to dynamic use of potassium in traditional rice growing area of Punjab [Pakistan]

Effect of split application of recommended dose of potash on the yield and yield components of rice was studied at farmer's field in six (6) Districts of traditional rice growing area i.e. Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Hafizabad and Sheikhupura. In this investigation a recommended dose of potash fertilizer (62.5 kg/ha) was tested in two treatments i.e. whole Potash as a basal dose and 1/2 potash as basal and 1/2 potash at 25 DAT that were compared with the treatment where no potash was applied. Means of paddy yield and yield components of rice averaged across six districts showed that maximum value of tillers per hill (26.81), grains per panicle (68.81), 1000 grains weight (22.00 g), paddy yield (4.73 t/ha) and minimum percentage of sterile grains (6.39%) were observed in treatment receiving split use of potash. Whole of potash applied at transplanting and no potash application treatment ranked at second and third position respectively with respect to all these parameters. The increased grain yield of rice with split applying of K was attributed to continuous supply of K during crop growth period.