Abstract
Fertilizer use efficiency by different crops is low on alkaline calcareous soils. Water is crucial for
Phosphorus (P) availability. A field experiment was conducted on sandy clay loam, alkaline calcareous soil
with low total nitrogen and available P. P was applied to wheat by side-dressing and broadcasting while
irrigating at crown root; booting; earing; anthesis; and grain development stages to improve wheat yield. It
was observed that maximum wheat grain and straw yield 3.97 and 4.95 t ha-1, respectively were obtained
by side dressing P application along with four irrigations. Maximum P concentration in grain, straw and
total P uptake was noted by side dressing P along with five irrigations. Grain yield was improved by side
dressing over broad casting at all irrigation scheduling. Four irrigations (at crown root, booting, anthesis
and grain development) proved better for grain production
