Importance of Zinc and Molybdenum for Sustainable Pulse Production in India

Abstract

Pulses are of paramount importance in Indian agriculture next to cereals and oilseeds in terms of acreage, production and economic value. Pulses are important sources of protein in a vegetarian diet, especially in India, where a large part of population is vegetarian and protein malnutrition is rampant and has not yet received adequate attention for micronutrient fertilization. To reduce the demand and supply gap, government of India launched various programs in pulses. Still, prime attention is required to meet the food security challenges, especially in case of pulse sector. In order to increase the pulse productivity while sustaining at high levels, greater attention on nutrient managements including micronutrients are among the promising technologies in pulse production. Among those micronutrients, zinc (zn) and molybdenum (Mo) are of major concerns. Mo acts as a cofactor for the enzymes namely nitrogenase and nitrate reductase, which take lead roles in bio-logical fixation and subsequent assimilation of nitrogen in legumes. Thus, Mo plays an important role in metabolism and biosynthesis of nitrogen into protein. Besides this, it facilitates the various physiological and biochemical process in pulses. Application of Mo enhances the bioavailability of other essential nutrients to crops. Plants subjected to zinc deficiency display alterations in the activity of many enzymes and decreased protein synthesis. Foliar spray of nutrient fertilizers at the critical stages of rainfed condition, application of micronutrients and secondary nutrients has been great focus in boosting up pulses productivity in India. Thus, this article represents critical review on constraints of low pulse productivity, role of Zn and Mo fertilization to gear up the present pulses productivity to larger extent while sustaining the productivity of pulses in India.