Evaluation of appropriate method for Zn fertilization of rice in the lower gangetic plain of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Considering the essentiality of zinc as well as its widespread deficiencies in rice soils, a field experiment was conducted in2019 at Central Research Farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayeshpur, Nadia district in the lower Gangetic plain of West Bengal to study the effect of different sources of Zn as well as the methodology of its application involving different combinations of soil application and spraying at different stages of crop growth on the enhancement of the Zn-content in rice crop. The application of Zn produced significantly better results than control with respect to grain yield as well as zinc content in grain. The treatment comprising application of Zn @10 kg ha-1 in the form of ZnSO4.7H2O in soil along with one foliar spray in the form of Zn-EDTA @0.5% at the maximum tillering stageproved superior statistically recording highest grain yield. Results also revealed thatsoil application of zinc at the time of plantingin combination of one foliar spray @ 0.5% at maximum tillering stage was found more effective than application of zinc only through two foliar applications.