Improving grain yield and quality by enhancing accumulation of zinc in rice under subtropical condition

One of the primary abiotic factors limiting rice production is zinc (Zn) deficiency. Effective management of Zn in rice soils is crucial, as rice is a staple crop for many nations. To address this issue, a pot trial was conducted at the net house of the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from December 2019 to May 2020. The trail aimed to assess the impact of zinc on yield performance and grain zinc content of rice. The experiment employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, involving the applications of 6 different rates of Zn to 3 distinct varieties of boro rice. The result revealed that BRRI dhan28 exhibited superior yield and yield-related traits when treated with 12 kg Zn ha-1. Meanwhile, the application of 10 kg Zn ha-1 resulted in the highest Zn content in the grain of BRRI dhan74, considering the quantity of Zn accumulated by the grain. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that applying 12 kg of Zn ha-1 is likely the optimal Zn management strategy to achieve outstanding performance in the rice cultivar BRRI dhan28. Furthermore, applying 10 kg of Zn ha-1 may enhance the Zn content of the grain in BRRI dhan74.