The effect of ZN in the form of soil application alone and in combination of foliar spray at different growth stages on growth and dry matter yield of wheat

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a widely adapted crop. It is grown from temperate, irrigated to dry and high-rain-fall areas and from warm, humid to dry, cold environments. Zinc (Zn) deficiency is major risk factor to crop production and human health. It is an essential micronutrient, which is equally important for the plants, animal and human beings (Alloway, 2004). Globally about 2 billion people are considered to suffer from the Zn deficiency diseases. Biofortification is a recent approach aimed at increasing the bio-available nutrients, such as Fe and zinc, in these staple crops rather than using fortificants or supplements (Waters and Sankaran, 2011; White and Broadley,2005). The various data are recorded on after the foliar application of Zn on different growth stages and dry matter content viz. Plant height (cm), Plant tillers, Grain yield (gm) and Straw yield (gm). It can be concluded from the present study that adequate Zn availability during vegetative phase is important for good wheat growth and yields. Wheat favourably responded to soil applied Zn in different combination of dose. Application of Zn @50 kg ha-1 and two foliar spray @ 0.5% ZnSO4 at PF and DS stages in combination was found to be the best treatment regarding growth and yield of wheat.