Chickpea response to deep placement of phosphorus on a chromosol soil – Gilgandra 2017

Abstract

Key findings •Applying phosphorus (P) as a starter fertiliser (MAP) resulted in a 90% increase in chickpea yield compared with nil starter, across all treatments, including the residual P treatments. •There was a significant starter P by residual P rate effect, with yield responses to increasing triple superphosphate (TSP; P 20.1%) rates in the absence of starter fertiliser, but no increase when starter MAP was applied. •Yields with no TSP, but with starter fertiliser were amongst the highest yielding in the experiment. TSP as residual P and starter P (~17 kg P/ha) at planting, maximised crop responses. •These results highlight the effectiveness of in-furrow application of starter P on crop growth and efficiency of P uptake under conditions of limited moisture availability. •In the absence of P uptake data, these findings suggest that MAP is an efficient source of available P, and when applied in the furrow in a dry season can provide strong yield benefits.