Effect of zinc application on growth, yield and grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2019-20 in Western section of Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Kanke, Ranchi to assess the effect of Zinc application on growth and yield of wheat. The treatments consisted of different zinc fertilization practices which include the following: T1 (control), T2 (FYM @ 10 ton/ha), T3 (Soil application @ 12.5 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha), T4 (Soil application @ 25 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha), T5 (Soil application @ 37.5 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha), T6 (Foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O/ha at heading and milking stage), T7 (Soil application @ 12.5 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha+Foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O/ha), T8 (Soil application @ 25 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha +Foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O/ha at heading and milking stage), and T9 (soil application @ 37.5 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha +Foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O/ha at heading and milking stage). Results revealed that maximum increase in growth parameters and yield and yield attributes of wheat viz: plant height (cm), number of tillers/m2, leaf area index and spike length (cm), number of spikelets/spike (18.22), grains/spike (33.80, grain yield (5.09 ton-1) and biological yield (12.7ton-1) as compared to control or RDF+10 ton FYM/ha.