Role of Gypsum in Conserving Soil Moisture Macronutrients Uptake and Improving Wheat Yield in the Rainfed Area

Agricultural rainfed areas of Pakistan have been facing several issues in recent years, e.g., soil erosion, nutrient runoff, and dependency on rainfall for crop growth. Wheat is considered a major staple Pakistan. The main concern these regions to conserve moisture as the depends obtained by rainfall. Gypsum one best conservers, especially areas. Hence, this study was initiated (1) explore effects gypsum conservation (2) reveal macronutrients, sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) uptake, and, eventually, wheat yield. conducted from July 2014 April 2015 Pothohar region recommended mineral fertilizers (N120P80K60) along with following treatments: T1 = @ 0 Mg ha−1 (0 kg plot−1), T2 1 (0.6 T3 3 (1.8 T4 4 (2.4 plot−1) were applied. Chakwal-50 variety sown, followed application. maximum recorded under treatment each month. conserved up 21% (surface) 23% (sub-surface) January February 2015, respectively, highest (N, 448.68 ha−1), (P, 50.6 (K, 185.7 Kg (S, 9.75 (Ca, 35.5 ha−1) uptake values observed application (p < 0.05). mean grain yield ranged between 1903.4 (T1) 2387.2 (T4) ha−1. Compared T1, yields T2, T3, increased 11%, 24%, 25%, respectively. straw 2446 2767 There no noticeable impact rates > Overall, found be optimal conserving moisture, better ultimately, less input cost.