Effect of potassium and zinc application on macro nutrient uptake of red gram under Vertisols

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season 2016-17 to studies on effect of graded levels of potassium and zinc on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and quality of pigeon pea at experimental farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. The experiment was laid out on Vertisols with eight treatments replicated three times in randomized block design. The initial soil fertility status showed that soils were slightly alkaline in soil reaction, safe in soluble salt, low in organic carbon content and calcareous in nature. The available N and P status was low. The experimental soil was high in available K content. The soil is deficient in Fe and Zn while sufficient in Mn and Cu. The nutrient uptake of pigeon pea was significantly enhanced with the application of potassium and zinc along with RDF. Application of RDF + 30 kg K2O ha-1 + 15 kg Zn ha-1 (T7) showed maximum uptake of N, P and K in pigeon pea plant and grain, followed by RDF + 15 kg K2O ha-1 + 15 kg Zn ha-1 (T6) and RDF + 45 kg K2O ha-1 + 15 kg Zn ha-1 (T8)