Soil and plant nutrient status of cotton as influenced by different methods of application of nano ZnO

Abstract

Purpose: A field experiment was conducted at Dharwad, Karnataka, during 2017-18 to evaluate the effect of seed treatment and foliar application of nano ZnO on nutrient status of Bt cotton.Method: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three main treatments (M1:seed treatment with chelated ZnSO4 @ 4 g kg-1 seeds, M2: nano ZnO @ 1 g kg-1 seeds and M3:seed priming with 1000 ppm nano zinc solution), four sub plot treatments (Foliar application of nano ZnO @ 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 ppm at square initiation and flowering stage) and three uneven control (C1: RDF + FYM + 0.5 % EDTA ZnSO4 foliar application at square initiation and flowering stage, C2: C1 + seed treatment with Fe, Zn, Mg and Mn @ 4g each kg-1 seed and C3 : Only RDF + FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1) treatments replicated thrice. Result: Among seed treatments, higher seed cotton yield (2842 kg ha-1) recorded with nano ZnO seed treatment than seed priming with nano zinc solution and chelated ZnSO4 seed treatment. Conclusion: Among all treatment combinations, seed treatment with nano ZnO in combination with foliar application of nano ZnO @ 1000 ppm recorded significantly higher nutrient uptake. Superior treatment combination recorded higher stalk yield and seed index.