A field experiment was conducted on Response of foliar sprays of micronutrient formulations grades on Kharif onion at Micronutrient Research Project, Department of Soil Science, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar) on silty clay textural soil (Typic Ustorthent) for three consecutive years of 2016 to 2019 during Kharif season. The soil was deficient in available iron, zinc and boron however, sufficient in manganese and copper. The treatments comprised of only GRDF (100:50:50 kgha-1 N: P2O5: K2O + 20 tha-1 FYM and GRDF with two foliar sprays of water spray, Government notified micro grade II and Phule micro grade II (A and B @ 0.2 and 0.3 %) respectively. The pooled results revealed that the treatment GRDF + Two foliar sprays of Phule micro grade II ‘B’ @ 0.3 % resulted in significant increase in plant height (60.27 cm), number of leaves (9.01), total chlorophyll content in fresh leaves (2.00 mg g-1), agronomic efficiency (1.88 kg kg-1), bulb (23.10 t ha-1) and stover yield (13.58 q ha-1), total uptake of N (56.91 kg ha-1), P (25.20 kg ha-1), K (81.97 kg ha-1), Fe (1509 g ha-1), Zn (454 g ha-1), Mn (389 g ha-1), Cu (222.1 g ha-1), B (259 g ha-1) and also higher returns per rupees (B:C ratio of 2.20).

Micronutrient foliar sprays, nutrient uptake, yield of kharif onion

Foliar application of Phule micro grade-II ‘B’ (Fe 3%, Zn 5%, Mn 0.5%, B 0.5%, Cu 0.5%) @ 0.3% at35 and 55 days after transplanting of onion seedlings along with general recommended dose of fertilizers (100:50:50 kg ha-1 N:P2O5:K2O + 20 t ha-1 FYM) found beneficial for increase in bulb yield, nutrient uptake, agronomic efficiency and higher monetary returns on shallow silty clay soils of Western Maharashtra.

A.G. Durgude, I.R. Bagwan and Shubhangi R. Kadam (2023). Response of Foliar Sprays of Micronutrient Formulations Grades on Kharif Onion. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(12): 247-251.