Influence of foliar nutrition of ZnSO4 and GA3 on bio - chemical, quality and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Agriculture College Farm, Raichur during kharif 2018. “Influence of foliar nutrition of ZnSO4 and GA3 on biochemical, quality and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.)”. The experiment was laid out in Factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eighteen treatments. The treatments were foliar nutrition of ZnSO4 @ 0.25 per cent, ZnSO4 @ 0.5 per cent and ZnSO4 @ 1.0 per cent and GA3 @ 25 ppm, GA3 @50 ppm sprayed at different leaf stages (V5, V6, V5 & V6). Among the different treatments, foliar application of ZnSO4 (1.0%) at V5 stage revealed a significant effect on biochemical and quality parameters such as reducing and non-reducing sugars, protein, starch content in grains. yield parameters of maize crop were increased when foliar nutrition was given at early stages (V5 & V6 stage). Foliar nutrition at the early vegetative stage improved the cob development and grain yield pertaining to the significant variation in early silking, increased the sugar contents and dry matter production. In addition, the foliar nutrients improved translocation and assimilation of nutrients by maize plants leading to significant increase in grain yield. It was concluded from the results that foliar nutrition during 25 to 30 days after sowing could increase maize productivity.