Effect of [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4] and KN[O.sub.3] foliar application on wheat growth

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4] and KN[O.sub.3] foliar application (2 and 4%) on the growth of wheat (cv. Watan) at Soil Salinity Research Institute (SSRI) farm, Pindi Bhattian, Punjab, Pakistan during Rabi season, 2007. Treatments were: soil application [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4], KN[O.sub.3], 2 and 4% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4], 2% KN[O.sub.3] + 2% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4], 4% KN[O.sub.3] +2% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4], 2% KN[O.sub.3] + 4% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4], 4% KN[O.sub.3]+4% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4]. Treatments were assigned using randomised complete block design with three replications. The crop was harvested at maturity, data on tillering, plant height, spike length, number of grains/spike, 1000-grain weight, straw and wheat yields were recorded. Tillering, number of grains/spike, 1000-grain weight and wheat yield significantly (P < 0.05) increased by different levels of doses. 2% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4] and 4% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4] improved the tillering capacity of wheat compared with the control. The combination of 2% KN[O.sub.3] + 4% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4] attained the highest grain yield (2825 kg/ha) which was statistically at par with 2% [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4] (2795 kg/ha). The lowest grain yield (2129 kg/ha) was received by the control (soil applied [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4]). Grain yield after spraying was up to 31% higher than in the control. Keywords: foliar application, [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4], KN[O.sub.3], Triticum aestivum, soil salinity