DTPA: Extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu status of loamy sand after harvest of rice as influenced by different levels of silicon and nitrogen application

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Anand Agricultural University, Anand, India, to investigate the available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn & Cu) status of loamy sand after harvest of rice as influenced by different levels of silicon and nitrogen application. The research was designed as randomized block design (Factorial) having three replications and 4.4m x 2.7m net plot size was maintained.The experiment encompassed four levels of nitrogen viz., 0, 75, 100 and 125 kg N ha-1 from ammonium sulphate and four levels of silicon viz., 0, 200, 400 and 600 kg Si ha-1 from calcium silicate. Results revealed that sole application of nitrogen at 125 kg ha-1 and Si at 600 kg ha-1 produced the maximum grain and straw yields of rice. The salt content, pH and organic carbon content of soil remained almost unchanged due to N and/ or Si applications. A glance at data pertaining to influence of N application on available Fe, Mn and Zn at harvest showed significant increase over control. The available Zn content in soil was increased due to individual application of N (100 kg ha-1) as well as Si (600 kg ha-1) in the soil. The combined effect of N and Si on micronutrient contents after harvest of the crop was observed under 600 kg Si ha-1 in conjunction with either 100 or 125 kg N ha-1.