The Role of Zinc- Zeolite in the Growth and Yield of (Zea Mays L.) in Two Calcareous Soils

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the research station of the College of Agriculture - University of Anbar to study the effect of zinc-zeolite on some growth and yield characteristics of maize in two calcareous soils that differ in clay ratio. It was carried out according to the randomized complete block design following the nested design, with three replications which include: natural and synthetic zeolite prepared from local kaolin. Both the natural and synthetic zeolite were ground and sieved using a sieve with a diameter of 63 µm and then the natural and synthetic zeolite were saturated with zinc. Natural and synthetic zeolite zinc was added to the soil at three levels: 4, 8, and 12 kg Zn ha−1. The mineral source of zinc (ZnSO47H2O) and the organic source of zinc (Zn-DTPA) were used at the level of 8 Kg Zn ha−1 for each of them as a comparison treatment, as well as the comparison treatment without the addition of zinc. The number of treatments in each sector is 9 experimental units, and the total number of experimental units for each site is 27 experimental units. The results showed that natural and synthetic zeolite-zinc at the level of 12 kg Zn ha−1 was significantly superior in plant height and grain weight at a rate of 183.3 cm (150.0 g) and the concentration of nitrogen, potassium and zinc at a rate of 19.98, 2.96 and 45.50 g kg−1.