Zinc Phasing and Fertilization Effects on Soil Properties and Some Agromorphological Parameters in Maize–Wheat Cropping System

Abstract

ABSTRACT The poor availability of zinc (Zn) in soil is due to the restricted replenishment of micronutrients in intensive agricultural systems. Zinc application is the most practical approach for treating zinc deficiency. The study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of Zn applications at different levels (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 kg ha−1) and phasing (once in 6 years, alternate year, and every year) and one control on soil properties and agromorphological parameters. The experiment was initiated in the year 2012 (rabi season) at the research farm of Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in a randomized block design with 13 treatments replicated three times. Results after 6 years of experimentation revealed that available nitrogen, potassium, DTPA-extractable Zn, and manganese (Mn) in soil increased with increasing Zn levels when applied once, alternate year, and every year. However, DTPA iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) showed no definite trend. Zinc fertilization at different phasing showed nonsignificant effect on pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and organic carbon (OC). The plant height, number of tillers per meter, and number of leaves per plant were maximum with treatment 10 kg Zn ha−1 when applied every year and were significantly superior over no zinc. Although treatment zinc application of 10 kg ha−1 every year was statistically at par with treatments zinc application of 7.5 kg ha−1 every year and 10 kg ha−1 of alternate year. Hence, results indicated that Zn application of 10 kg ha−1 in alternate year significantly improved soil properties and agromorphological parameters under maize–wheat cropping system.