Agronomic fortification in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with zinc

Abstract

Zinc is one of the essential plant micronutrient and its importance for crop productivity is similar to that of major nutrients. Intensive agriculture coupled with the continuous use of N, P, K fertilizers have remarkably increased the production but simultaneously brought about problems related to micronutrient deficiencies, particularly that of Zn in soil. Zinc deficiency is major risk factor to crop production and human health. A field experiment was conducted during Rabi Season of 2018-19 at Research Plot of Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Udai Pratap (Autonomous) College, Varanasi. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with six treatment combinations and three replications. Treatment includes T0 = Control (RDF), T1 = RDF + ZnSO4¬¬ @ 25 kg ha-1, T2= RDF + ZnSO4¬¬ @ 50 kg ha-1, T3= RDF+ T1 + 3 FS @ 0.5% ZnSO4¬¬ at PF, HS and MS, T4 = T2 + 2 FS @ 0.5% ZnSO4 at PF and MS, T5= RDF + ZnSO4¬¬ @ 5kg ha-1 + F S @ 0.5% at HS. FS= Foliar Spray, PF= Pre Flowering Stage, HS=Heading Stage, MS= Milking stage, RDF= Recommended Dose of Fertilizer. Important growth parameter (plant height and number of tillers) at different growth stages and dry matter yield (grain and straw) was determined. Application of Zn significantly affected the plant height, number of tillers, grain and straw yields over control (without Zn). Maximum was registered in the treatment T4 (ZnSO4¬¬ @ 50 kg ha-1 and 2 FS @ 0.5% ZnSO4 at PF and MS). All the treatments have significant positive effect over control in case of nutrient content in plant. The minimum nutrient content and its uptake were recorded with T0 and the maximum under the treatment T4. Application of Zn also increased the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in post harvest soil.