EFFECT OF FOLIAR AND SOIL APPLICATION OF NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM ON YIELD COMPONENTS OF LENTIL

Lentil is an important food supplement bearing potential nutrients. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar and soil application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) on yield component of lentil (Lens culinaris Medic). In general, best results were recorded from the plants treated with NPK through both soil and foliage. Optimal concentration of NPK for the various yield parameters was found to be 0.17% N, 0.21% P and 0.33% K for foliar and 0.35% N, 0.32% P and 0.50% K for soil application at pH 7.0. Timing of fertilizer application also affected different yield components. Multiple application of both soil and foliar application of NPK gave better results as compared to single application of NPK. Soil application produce slightly improved results compared to foliar application when applied unaided. The foliar application of nitrogen alone was more effective than NPK in producing higher number of seeds per pod.