Influence of Phosphorus Fertilizers Application on Phosphorus use Efficiency and Grain Protein of Winter Wheat in Alkaline-Calcareous Soil, Southern Algeria

Three field experiments (2008 to 2011) were conducted to evaluate the ability of winter wheat (Triticum durum Desf. var. Carioca) to utilize and acquire soil phosphorus and nitrogen under different sources of phosphate fertilizers (Fosfactyl, Single super phosphate and Mono-ammonium-phosphate) and rates of applications (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg Pha-1) with a fixed level of nitrogen fertilization. Results revealed a significant effect of P rates on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); however, P sources fertilizer had non-significant effect in all three cropping seasons. PUE and NUE decreased markedly with increasing P supply that did not result in an improvement of P and N uptake. Grain protein content was significantly influenced by phosphorus fertilization in 2008-09. The best values were obtained by Single super phosphate and P rate 60 kg ha-1.