Effect of foliar spray of zinc, iron and seed priming with molybdenum on growth and yield attributes and quality of soybean in the rainfed condition of Vertisol

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of micronutrients on growth traits, yield and quality of soybean grown under rainfed condition of North Maharashtra at Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, Dhule in 2012-2013. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications viz. T1: Control (RDF 50:75:00), T2: Water spray, T3: FeSO4 spray (0.5%), T4: ZnSO4 spray (0.5%), T5: Seed fortification with Mo, T6:FeSO4 spray (0.5%) + ZnSO4 spray (0.5%), T7: FeSO4 spray (0.5%) + Mo, T8:ZnSO4 spray (0.5%)+ Mo and T9:FeSO4 spray (0.5%) + ZnSO4 spray (0.5%)+Mo. The result revealed that the highest number of branches (16.83 plant-1) observed in the treatment receiving combined application of zinc and iron with seed fortification of molybdenum. The higher number of (44.66) nodules was recorded in treatment seed fortification of molybdenum. The higher values of chlorophyll content at 20 DAS (19.90 mg 100 g-1), 60 DAS (18.14 mg 100 g-1) and 80 DAS (10.14 mg 100 g-1) of soybean was recorded with T9 (foliar application of zinc and iron with seed fortification of molybdenum). However, the higher chlorophyll content at 40 DAS (28.06 mg 100 g-1) of soybean was observed under treatment T6 receiving foliar application of zinc and iron. The highest grain (22.65 q ha-1) and straw yield (19.66 q ha-1) were observed in T6 which receives foliar spray of zinc and iron. The lowest grain (16.62 q ha-1) and straw (11.18 q ha-1) yield were recorded in T1 (control). Application of zinc and iron with molybdenum significantly increased oil (21.20%) and protein (42.99%) content of soybean while, the lowest oil (18.20%) and protein (40.76%) content were recorded (18.20%) in treatment control.