Comparative analysis of zinc sources and levels on growth and phenology of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during 2024-25 at Agronomy Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan to evaluate the “Effect of Different Sources and Levels of Zinc on Growth Attributes and phenology of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The experiment consists of ten treatments viz., T1: Control (No zinc or fertilizer), T2: RDF of 120:60 N:P₂O₅ kg ha⁻¹, T3: RDF + soil application of ZnSO₄ at 15 kg ha⁻¹, T4: RDF + soil application of ZnSO₄ at 30 kg ha⁻¹, T5: RDF + soil application of Zn-EDTA at 1.5 kg ha⁻¹, T6: RDF + soil application of Zn-EDTA at 3.0 kg ha⁻¹, T7: RDF + foliar ZnSO₄ at 0.5% at CRI, tillering and milking stage, T8: RDF + foliar ZnSO₄ at 1.0% at CRI, tillering and milking stage, T9: RDF + foliar Zn-EDTA at 0.25% at CRI, tillering and milking stage and T10: RDF + foliar Zn-EDTA at 0.5% at CRI, tillering and milking stage. The present study revealed that significantly higher plant height, number of tillers per plant and dry matter accumulation with the soil application of ZnSO₄ at 30 kg ha⁻¹ but it was at par with RDF + Soil application of Zn EDTA @ 3.0 kg ha-1 and RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 15 kg ha-1 compared to control and RDF alone. Whereas, Zinc Sources and different levels did not exhibit a significant influence on plant stand, days required to 50% flowering and maturity.