Effect of time of application on the effectiveness of zinc sulphate and zinc oxide as sources of zinc for wheat

Abstract

Field experiments with wheat were conducted for two years on flood plain alluvial soils to study the effectiveness of soil application of zinc sulphate and zinc oxide at 0, 15, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing. Yield and zinc uptake of wheat increased significantly with the application of zinc. Delaying the application of both zinc sulphate and zinc oxide up to 45 days of sowing did not adversly affect the zinc nutrition of wheat. However, delaying the application for 75 or 90 days after sowing eliminated the response. Zinc sulphate, when applied within 60 days of sowing performed better than zinc oxide. In a laboratory study, zinc sulphate maintained a higher level of zinc in the soil solution than zinc oxide at least over a 3-week period.