Influence of foliar application of micronutrient mixture on micronutrient uptake by the safflower

Abstract

A field experiment on “response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to foliar application of micronutrient mixture” was conducted during Rabi 2018, at MARS farm, Raichur. Experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design with three replications and nine treatments. Results revealed that foliar application of Grade-I multi micronutrient mixture (Fe-2%, Zn-3%, Mn-1% and B-0.5%) at 30 and 50 days after sowing @ 10 ml/litre and soil application of RDF (75:75:40 and 80 kg ha-1 of NPK and gypsum, respectively) along with zinc sulphate @ 6 kg ha-1 has recorded higher uptake of micro-nutrients viz., iron (629.21 g ha-1), zinc ( 331.29 g ha-1), manganese (113.32 g ha-1), copper ( 103.34 g ha-1) and boron (122.74 g ha-1) and it was on par with the treatment receiving RDF(75:75:40 and 80 kg ha-1 of NPK and gypsum, respectively) and along with foliar application of Grade-I micronutrient mixture @ 10 ml/litre and was superior to other treatments. From these results it can be concluded that foliar spray of Grade-I multi micronutrient mixture @ 10 ml /litre is feasible.