Growth and yield of maize as influenced by zinc enrichment through agronomic options

Abstract

A field experiment on Agronomic options for zinc enrichment in maize was conducted at College farm, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2019-2020. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. The soil of experimental site was sandy loam type, slightly acidic in pH (6.30), non-saline in EC (0.21 dSm-1), low in organic carbon (0.42%), low in available N (230.60 kg ha-1), medium in available P (24.30 kg ha-1), high in available K (388.40 kg ha-1) and low in available Zn (0.54 ppm). The results revealed that plant growth parameters (plant height and dry matter production), yield attributes (cob length and cob girth), grain (6053 kg ha-1) and stover yield (9084 kg ha-1) were highest with T5 {RDF + FYM enrichment with 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1} and it was on par with T7 {RDF + ZSB (1kg/100 kg FYM) + 0.2% foliar spray of ZnSO4 at Knee-high and Tasseling stages} while the lowest growth and yield parameters were recorded with T1 {RDF alone (Control-N: P2O5: K2O @ 200:60:50 kg ha-1)}.