Effect of Different Zinc Fertilization Methods on Growth and Productivity of Summer Maize (Zea mays L.)

Background: In recent times the micro nutrients were reported to influence the crop growth and productivity. Among them zinc is a vital micronutrient for plants, humans and animals. However, zinc use efficiency mainly depends on methods of zinc fertilization. Although there are many ways to deliver zinc to crops such as soil application, foliar sprays, fertigation, seed priming and root dipping, etc. The right method and proportion to apply zinc fertilizer in southern Odisha is not yet standardized. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to choose the most efficient method of zinc fertilization for this agro climatic zone. Methods: The present study was conducted in summer maize during 2022 at PG Experimental farm, M.S.Swaminathan school of agriculture. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of T1, control (no application of zinc); T2, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 6.25kg/ha; T3, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 12.5kg/ha; T4, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 25kg/ha; T5, seed priming with 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O; T6, seed priming with 1.0% ZnSO4.7H2O; T7, seed priming with 1.5% ZnSO4.7H2O; T8, foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee high stage, T9; foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee height stage and tasseling; T10, foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee height stage, tasseling and grain filling stage. Result: The results showed that application of zinc in soil at the rate of 25kg/ha through soil application could be recommended to the farmers for growing maize during summer season in southern Odisha to achieve higher growth and productivity Background: In recent times the micro nutrients were reported to influence the crop growth and productivity. Among them zinc is a vital micronutrient for plants, humans and animals. However, zinc use efficiency mainly depends on methods of zinc fertilization. Although there are many ways to deliver zinc to crops such as soil application, foliar sprays, fertigation, seed priming and root dipping, etc. The right method and proportion to apply zinc fertilizer in southern Odisha is not yet standardized. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to choose the most efficient method of zinc fertilization for this agro climatic zone.