Study on synergistic and antagonistic interactions of P and Zn fertilization on sweet pepper

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the synergistic and antagonistic interactions of combined application of Phosphorus and Zinc fertilizers on sweet pepper in net house conditions. Pot experiment consists of thirteen treatments combinations set up in a completely randomized design. The treatment combinations comprising of four levels of phosphorus (0, 237.5, 355.5 and 475 kg Single Super Phosphate ha−1) and three levels of Zn (5, 7.5 and 10 kg Zinc Sulfate ha−1) including one control (100% NPK). The available macro and micronutrients content in potting mixture was confirmed in medium range before conducting the experiment. The results clearly demonstrate the treatment comprising 475 kg SSP ha−1 with 10 kg ZnSO4 ha−1 (T13) showed synergistic effects on vegetative characteristics, above and below ground nutrient content as well as nutrient uptake. When balanced phosphatic and zinc fertilizers (T13) are applied to soil, there is a low possibility of an antagonistic reaction. Antagonism problems arise most frequently when the soil’s Zn content is extremely low in combination with excess application of P fertilizer limiting their availability to plants. To avoid P-Zn antagonism in the soil system, utilization of appropriate fertilizer methods, supplies, and rates was done. As a result, the present study confirms that recommended fertilizer doses combined with phosphorus @ 475 kg SSP ha−1 and zinc @ 10 kg ZnSO4 ha−1, is the best nutrient combination for improving plant growth parameters; however, in terms of soil parameters, P and Zn fertilizers affected micronutrient content in soil, which further interacted antagonistically.