INTERACTION OF SALINITY, NITROGEN, AND PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATION ON WHEAT

This study determined whether the application of nitrogen (N) and phos phorus (P) could ameliorate salt-induced reduction in wheat production . Saline irrigation water (0.5, 4.0, 8.2, and 12.5 dS/m) and N and P f ertilizers (150 kg N/ha and 37.5 kg P2O5/ha) were applied to wheat (Tr iticum aestivum L. 'Saka 92') grown on a calcareous soil in a greenhou se experiment. Plants received equal amounts of each fertilizer, but t he time and frequency of application differed. All salinity levels red uced straw and grain yields, leaf soluble proteins, nitrate (NO3) cont ent, actual and potential nitrate reductase activity (NRA), and grain protein content. The delay in pollen meiotic cell division increased w ith salinity. Under saline conditions, applying N and P fertilizers at the end of the grain filling stage improved yield and metabolic perfo rmance of the plants compared to other fertilizer treatments.