Influence of zinc and iron application methods on available soil nutrient status and nutrient uptake by foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) genotypes

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Hagari, Karnataka in medium black soil during rabi-2017 to study the influence of zinc and iron application methods on available soil nutrients and nutrient uptake by foxtail millet genotypes at harvest. Research was carried out in split plot design consisting of three genotypes in the main plot and seven methods of micronutrients application in sub plot, it was replicated thrice. The experimental results revealed that, foxtail millet genotype Sia-2644 (G3) in main plot recorded significantly higher total zinc and iron uptake (0.206 kg ha-1 and 3.96 kg ha-1) compare to other genotypes. In sub plot treatment, M7 (RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 at 15 kg ha-1 and FeSO4 at 10 kg ha-1 + Foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 and FeSO4 each 30 DAS) recorded significantly higher total N, P, K, Zinc and iron uptake (136.07 kg ha-1, 25.47 kg ha-1, 32.79 kg ha-1, 0.239 kg ha-1 and 4.49 kg ha-1, respectively). Whereas, significantly higher available soil N, P, K, zinc and iron (227 kg ha-1, 36.68 kg ha-1, 269 kg ha-1, 0.589 kg ha-1 and 3.595 kg ha-1, respectively) was recorded in RDF (M1:Control) at crop harvest. However, positive interaction effect between foxtail millet genotypes and methods of zinc and iron application on nutrient uptake was observed. But, no interaction effect on available soil nutrient status.