Short-term Zinc Biofortification effects on Morpho-economic Parameters of Rice in Rice-wheat Sequence in Inceptisols of Jammu, J&K

Author: Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Renu Gupta and Haziq Shabir

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Abstract

In order to address the issue of zinc deficiencies in rice crops, which are common in Jammu soils (known as inceptisols), different types and levels of zinc fertilizers are applied to the rice crop to determine their effectiveness in such soil conditions. The goal is to find the most suitable zinc fertilizer sources and application methods for such crop. A field trial comprising three different sources of zinc viz. zinc sulphate, zinc oxide and zinc chelate each with two levels of zinc (Zn), were applied both as soil and foliar application in rice cultivar (Pusa-1121). The experiment was carried out during the monsoon season of 2020 and 2021 at field research station of Division of Soil Science and Agricultural chemistry SKUAST-Chatha, Jammu. The treatment combination consisted of seven treatments viz. T1-Soil Application of ZnSO4.7H2O (12.5 kg ha-1 + Foliar Spray 1.6 %), T3-Soil Application of ZnO (5 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray 0.50 %), T4-Soil Application of ZnO (5 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray 0.65 %), T5-Soil Application of Zn-EDTA 10 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray 1.0 %), T6-Soil Application of Zn-EDTA-chelate 12.5 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray 1.5 %) and T7 – Control and were replicated thrice in randomized complete block design. Each plot measured 3.0 m × 2.0 m (6 m2), with plant spacing of 20 cm × 10 cm between rice seedlings. Fertilizers were applied on basis as per the recommended nutrient requirement of basmati Pusa-1121 (N:P:K). Short term effect of zinc biofortification was studied on morpho-economic parameters of rice viz., plant height, Number of effective tillers, grain yield, straw yield and dry matter accumulation at harvest. Zn EDTA-chelate at 12.5 kg ha-1 along with foliar application @ 1.5 % proved to best treatment and recorded significantly higher plant height, effective tillers m-2, grain yield, straw yield and dry matter accumulation. The percentage increase of 16.7, 18.82, 10.10, 12.3 and 15.43 were registered among all respective parameters as compared to control, whereas treatment T2-Soil Application of ZnSO4.7H2O 15 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray 2.5 %), and T5-Soil Application of Zn -EDTA 10 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray 1.0 % ) were statistically at par with treatment T6-Soil Application of Zn-EDTA-chelate 12.5 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray 1.5 %).

Keywords

Zinc, Biofortification, Morphoeconomic parameters, Yield attributes

Conclusion

The treatment T6 (Soil Application of Zn-EDTA (12.5 kg ha-1) + Foliar spray of 1.5%) in terms of plant parameters as well under yield attributes, but was statistically at with treatment T5 (Soil Application of Zn -EDTA 10 kg ha-1 + Foliar spray of 1.0 %). However, treatment T1 (Soil Application of ZnSO4.7H2O (12. 5 kg ha-1) + Foliar spray (1.6 %) also shows better performance under such conditions, so it has equally potential to perform better in terms zinc biofortification point of view and also zinc sulphate is economically viable from farmers point of view as it easily available and cheapest among all the zinc fertilizers. However, in order to ensure the success of zinc biofortification interventions, it is important to implement policies such as providing financial incentives to farmers, offering capacity building and awareness programs for farmers, seed multipliers, and rural communities to educate them on balanced crop fertilization (micronutrients such as Zn), Additionally, subsidizing Zn fertilizer products for farmers and also foliar application should be at the precise time when the crop is in need of it, Zinc fertilizer soil application should be added with the organic manure so as to increase the efficiency of such fertilizers.

References

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How to cite this article

Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Renu Gupta and Haziq Shabir (2023). Short-term Zinc Biofortification Effects on Morpho-economic Parameters of Rice in Rice-wheat Sequence in Inceptisols of Jammu, J&K. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 391-396.