Influence of Zinc Formulations on Yield, Economics of Maize Crop and Soil Zn Status

Author: P. Malathi* and K.M. Sellamuthu

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Abstract

To overcome the problem of low use efficiency of inorganic Zn fertilizers, new chelated Zn formulations were developed. Newly developed chelated Zn formulations TNAU Zn EDTA and TNAU Zn citrate were tested in comparison with ZnSO4 and commercial Zn EDTA for soil and foliar application in a field experiment with maize crop conducted during 2019 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Yield attributes, grain and stover yield were recorded. Economics of treatments was worked out. Significantly highest cob length (21.2 cm), number of grains per cob (269), 100 grain weight (41.2g), grain yield (7158 kg ha-1) and stover yield (12741 kg ha-1) were recorded in the treatment foliar spray of 0.5 % TNAU Zn EDTA (T10) which remained on par with the application of 1.5 kg Zn ha-1 as TNAU Zn EDTA (T4), foliar spray of 0.5 % TNAU Zn citrate (T11) and foliar spray of 0.5 % commercial Zn EDTA (T12). Soil application of 7.5 kg Zn ha-1 as ZnSO4 (T2) recorded significantly highest post harvest s

Keywords

Maize, Zinc chelates, Yield, Economics, Soil zinc

Conclusion

Foliar application of Zn fertilizers registered higher yield than soil application which might be due to the calcareous nature of the experimental soil. The treatment foliar spray of 0.5% TNAU Zn EDTA (T10) recorded highest yield attributes (cob length, no. of grains /cob, 100 grain weight), grain and stover yield, net income and B:C ratio which was comparable with foliar spray of 0.5% TNAU Zn citrate (T11).

References

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How to cite this article

Malathi, P. and Sellamuthu, K.M. (2021). Influence of Zinc Formulations on Yield, Economics of Maize Crop and Soil Zn Status. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(3a): 295-299.