Foliar Application of Ferrous Sulphate and its Influence on Growth, Grain Quality and Nutrient Uptake in Soybean (Glycine max L.)

Author: Badapmain Makdoh, A.P. Singh, L.T. Longkumer, T. Gohain, Lanunola Tzudir, D. Nongmaithem, Rekha Yadav and Damitre Lytan

Download PDF

Abstract

Iron deficiency has been one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in most part of India particularly the rural Northeast region which has affected children and women. To alleviate iron deficiency which is a major global issue, agronomic biofortification is an easy and sustainable approach that aims at enriching iron content in edible part of the crops. It simultaneously enhances crop performance in terms of yield andiron content of grain. Hence, a study was conducted to see the effect of iron fertilization on soybean being one of the important pulse crops in the tribal communities. A two years pot experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2018 and 2019 at the Agronomy farm, SASRD, Nagaland university, Medziphema campus to study the effect of iron sulphate on growth, yield and quality parameters in soybean. Three (3) soybean varieties viz., JS-335, JS-97-52 and local cultivar under six (6) iron (Fe) fertilization treatments laid out in factorial CRD with three replications. The Six iron treatments viz., Fe0 as Control, Fe1 (Foliar spray application of FeSO4.7H2O@ 0.5%), Fe2 (Foliar spray application of FeSO4.7H2O@ 1%), Fe3 (Foliar spray application of FeSO4.7H2O@ 1.5%), Fe4 (Foliar spray application of FeSO4.7H2O@ 2%), Fe5 (Soil application of FeSO4.7H2O@ 10 kg ha-1). Results of the two-year experimentation revealed that JS 97-52 was superior in dry matter yield while plant height and leaf area, local cultivar was way superior than the others. Foliar spray application of FeSO4.7H2O (ferrous sulphate) @ 1.5% was found most effective in enhancing growth, yield and iron content of soybean. The chlorophyll content was significantly higher in JS-335 at both 30 and 60 DAS. Foliar spray application of 1.5% FeSO4.7H2O resulted in significantly higher chlorophyll content at 60 DAS. The highest seed yield was observed with foliar spray application of iron sulphate @ 1.5% (24.89 g pot-1). The highest value of iron content in grain (67.29 mg kg-1) and stover (124.48 mg kg-1) was observed with foliar application of 1.5% iron sulphate along with percent increase of 18.51% and 17.30%, respectively over control. Foliar application of 1.5% iron sulphate significantly enhanced the protein (38.96%) and oil content (18.29%). NPK uptake was found significantly higher in JS 97-52, and among Fe fertilization, Fe3 significantly improved the N and K uptake only.

Keywords

Soybean, growth, yield, quality, uptake

Conclusion

Based on the two years of investigation, it can be concluded that local cultivar was found superior in most of the growth parameter followed by JS 97-52. Whereas in respect to yield, oil content and NPK uptake, JS 97-52 was found to have higher value. For achieving higher crop growth, grain yield and enrichment of grain quality, two foliar applications of iron sulphate @ 1.5% at pre-flowering and flowering stage can be considered as an effective alternative means that can be recommended as iron biofortification strategy for soybean in the region.

References

-

How to cite this article

Badapmain Makdoh, A.P. Singh, L.T. Longkumer, T. Gohain, Lanunola Tzudir, D. Nongmaithem, Rekha Yadav and Damitre Lytan (2023). Foliar Application of Ferrous Sulphate and its Influence on Growth, Grain Quality and Nutrient Uptake in Soybean (Glycine max L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 197-204.