Effect of levels of zinc and various zinc solubilizing microorganisms on growth and yield of spinach

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2018 at Research farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani to assess the response of spinach crop to various zinc solubilizes and graded levels of zinc on growth and yield. Experiment consists of sixteen treatment in which four zinc solubilizes (Pseudomonas striata, Bacillus megaterium, Trichoderma viride and Control) and four graded levels of ZnSO4 (0 kg ZnSO4 ha-1,10 kg ZnSO4 ha-1, 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 and 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1) were used in factorial randomized block design. Seed treatment of spinach was done with zinc solubilizing microbial cultures and application of zinc in graded doses at the time of sowing with recommended dose of fertilizers. Significant effect of zinc solubilizing culture particularly Psuedomonas striata and levels of zinc up to 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 was noted on plant height, number of leaves per plant, dry matter yield per plant and leaf area index over other treatments. Also higher dry weight and fresh weight yield of spinach was noted with Psuedomonas striata + 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1.