0238–0161/$ 20.00©2013 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest Acta Agronomica Hungarica, 61(2), pp. 139–148 (2013) DOI: 10.1556/AAgr.61.2013.2.5 IMPACT OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATION AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TWO WHEAT CULTIVARS A. M. HELMY SOIL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, ZAGAZIG UNIVERSITY, ZAGAZIG, EGYPT Received: 1 February, 2013; accepted: 31 March, 2013 The interaction effects of phosphorus fertilization, applied at various rates and time intervals, with or without foliar spraying with citrine on the growth and macro- and micronutrient uptake of two new wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum cv. Sakha 94 and Gmiza 10) in a sandy soil were investigated under greenhouse conditions at the Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University. Superphosphate was used at different rates (0, 7.5 and 15 mg P kg –1 soil) and timing: before planting (BP); 1 month after planting (AP) and 50% BP + 50% AP. The results confirmed that phosphorus fertilization and foliar spraying with citrine significantly increased both the straw and grain yield and the nutrient uptake compared with the control. The interaction effect of phosphorus fertilization and foliar spraying with citrine significantly increased Zn and Mn uptake by the straw and grain yield, as well as P and Fe uptake by the straw yield. The addition of 7.5 mg P kg –1 soil (50% BP + 50% AP) gave the highest value of apparent P recovery (APR) when spraying with citrine. APR and P use efficiency (PUE) were markedly decreased at the higher P addition rate, with or without citrine. Treating wheat plants with 7.5 mg P kg –1 soil combined with citrine saved 59% of the P fertilizer, and thus reduced environmental pollution. Key words: sandy soil, phosphorus fertilization, foliar spraying, citrine, wheat Introduction The Egyptian population is continually increasing, so Egypt is facing a shortage of wheat production, since more than 40% of the annual local consumption is imported. An increase in wheat production is possible by supplying the crop with sufficient nutrients and using high-yielding cultivars. Food security for the rapidly expanding population is a big challenge and can only be achieved by increasing crop production and providing healthy foods. However, the objectives of food security cannot be attained without availability of essential plant nutrients (Chen, 2006; Ali et al., 2008).