Agronomic biofortification with zinc on yield, nutritional quality, nutrient uptake and economics of babycorn

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of agronomic biofortification with zinc on yield, nutritional quality, nutrient uptake and economics of babycorn under irrigated condition. The observations on yield viz., green cob yield, babycorn yield and green fodder yield and quality parameters (crude protein, total soluble sugars, starch and Zn content) were recorded at harvest stage. The nutrient uptake was analysed at different growth stages and economic indices viz., the total cost of cultivation, gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio were worked out for various zinc fertilization treatments. Increased green cob yield and babycorn yield was recorded higher in soil application of zinc sulphate @ 37.5 kg ha-1 along with a foliar spray of 1.0 % on 20 and 40 DAS. Quality parameters of babycorn viz., crude protein, total soluble sugars, starch and Zn content in corn were significantly increased with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 37.5 kg ha -1 along with a foliar spray of 0.5% at 20 and 40 DAS that recorded higher values of these quality characters. Plant nutrient uptake of N, K and Zn in babycorn was significantly increased with the application of ZnSO4 @ 37.5 kg ha -1 in soil with foliar spray of 0.5% at 20 and 40 DAS. Higher net monetary returns and B: C ratio were obtained with application of ZnSO4@ 37.5 kg ha -1in soil with foliar spray @ 0.5% on 20 and 40 DAS.