Effect of iron and zinc fortification on chemical properties of soil and nutrient content and uptake by summer pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Emend. Stuntz)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, JAU, Junagadh during summer season of 2019 on medium black calcareous soil. The experiment containing 9 treatment combinations was arranged in factorial randomized block design with 3 replications. The results revealed that N content and uptake by grain and stover of pearl millet was significantly higher under FeSO4 @ 1.0% at 25 & 50 DAS and ZnSO4 @ 0.5% at 25 & 50 DAS. Zinc concentration in pearl millet increased with zinc application, but decreased with increasing foliar spray of iron. While iron concentration in pearl millet increased with iron application, but decreased with increasing foliar spray of zinc. Available zinc in soil after harvest was significantly higher under ZnSO4 @ 0.5% at 25 & 50 DAS. Whereas, Available iron in soil after harvest was significantly higher under FeSO4 @ 1.0% at 25 & 50 DAS. Available N, P2O5 and K2O in soil after harvest were not affected by foliar spray of zinc and iron.