Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is considered as high nutrient demanding crop and needs balanced nutrition. It is also regarded sensitive to zinc deficiency. Zinc is mostly deficient in soils and application of zinc fertilizer is required to explore its full potential. Crop species and even cultivars within species vary in their Zn requirement. A field experiment was conducted during spring 2011 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Zn uptake and grain yield in three maize hybrids (Pioneer-32 F 10, Monsanto-6525 and Hycorn-8288) through the application of Zn in the form of ZnSO4. The ZnSO4 treatments comprised; soil application at the time of sowing @ 12 kg ha-1, foliar application at vegetative stage (9 leaf stage) @ 1% ZnSO4 solution and foliar application at reproductive stage (anthesis) @ 1% ZnSO4 solution and one treatment was kept as a control. The experimental results showed substantial difference in yield and yield contributing parameters such as plant population at harvest, number of grains per cob, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index. Statistically maximum grain yield (8.76t ha-1) was obtained with foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 9-leaf stage (Zn2) in case of Monsanto-6525. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 increased 38% and soil application gave 23.7% more grain yield than control treatment. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 9-leaf stage in Monsanto-6525 hybrid produced higher grain yield and net field benefit. Thus foliar application of Zn fertilizers has a positive effect on economic and biological yield of maize crop.
Highlights
Amongst the cereals, maize is a rich source of essential nutrients needed by both human beings and animals
The study to assess the performance of four methods of Zn application i.e Control (Zn0), Soil application at sowing @ 12 kg ha-1(Zn1), Foliar application at vegetative phase (9 leaf stage) @ 1% ZnSO4 solution (Zn2) and Foliar application at reproductive phase @ 1% ZnSO4 solution (Zn3), on three different hybrid varieties of maize namely Pioneer-32 F 10 (H1), Monsanto-6525 (H2) and Hycorn-8288 (H3) was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (184 meters elevation, 31o N latitude and 73o longitude) during 2011-2012
The electrical conductivity (EC) of soil samples were measured by digital Equiptronics conductivity meter, Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) were estimated by using spectrophotometer, Potassium (K) in the soil was determined by flame photometer with K-filter
Summary
Maize is a rich source of essential nutrients needed by both human beings and animals. Its average grain yield of 3558 tons ha-1during the year 2010-11[5] (Federal Bureau of Statistics, 2010-11) is too low as compared to other developed countries growing maize [6] (FAO statistics, 2010). There are many factors that limit the maize yield but nutrient deficiency is considered the most deleterious one. Overall crop nutrition play vital role in plant development. Crop nutrition comprised of macronutrients and micronutrients with major role of macro ones, but the micronutrients (Zn, B, Co, Mn, Mo, Cu, Ni and Fe), even being required in smaller amounts are of vital for plant growth and development [3] (Davies, 1997). The uses of specific mineral nutrients have become crucial for better plant growth [17] (Marshner, 1995) which can be supplemented as a chemical fertilizer in intensive cropping areas
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