Optimizing Zinc Nutrition for Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield in two Contrasting Soil Series of Sindh

Optimizing Zinc Nutrition for Maize (Zea mays L.) production

Abstract

A pot study was carried out to determine the effects of different levels of zinc on growth and fodder yield of maize grown in pacca and sultanpur soil series. The research was conducted in a wire house at the department of soil science, sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. The research was laid out in two factor completely randomized design arrangement having three replications. Factor A consisted soil series (02), i.e. S₁: Pacca soil series and S₂: Sultanpur soil series and factor B were assigned with various levels of zinc. The recommended doses of N, P and K were applied @ 170 kg N ha^-1, 85 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 and 60 kg K₂O ha^-1 in combination with different levels of zinc sulphate @ 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg ZnSO₄ ha^-1 at the time of sowing in all treatments in Pacca and Sultanpur soil series. The soil under study of both soil series were silt loam in texture in Pacca soil series, sandy loam in Sultanpur soil series, non-saline, alkaline in nature, poor in organic matter, moderately calcareous in both soil series. Moreover, both soil series are low in total nitrogen and available phosphorus, while Pacca soil series was medium in potassium and Sultanpur soil series was adequate in potassium. The response of zinc sulphate on maize growth revealed that Sultanpur soil series was more prominent in zinc content of soil and leaf samples of maize as compared to Pacca soil series.The experimental results showed that higher seed germination (%) at the level of 7.5 kg ZnSO₄ ha^-1 and application of 10.0 kg ZnSO₄ ha^-1 has resulted higher plant height, thicker stem girth, maximum number of green leaves, less number of dry leaves and maximum green fodder yield. Furthermore, it indicated higher zinc content in plant and soil. Sultanpur series remained more efficient then Pacca soil series in almost all recorded parameters. It was obvious from study that 10.0 kg ZnSO₄ ha^-1 may be considered for getting maximum fodder yield of maize.