Assessing the micronutrient requirement of winter wheat

Abstract

Zinc, copper, iron and manganese requirement of wheat was assessed on loamy alluvial soils. Pot experiments were conducted to find out the relation of nutrient status of soil and plants to crop yields and to find out the extent of response due to foliar application of these nutrients. Sampling plant leaves at 40 days after sowing gave best indication of micronutrient status of the plants. The plants well supplied with these nutrients at this stage of the growing period supported best growth and produced maximum dry matter. Application of micronutrients as foliar spray later than 40 days after sowing also improved the dry matter production at 60 days in comparison to the basal application. This suggests that these micronutrients should be present in sufficient quantity during the early part of growth. Critical limits for soil DTPA‐ Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were 0.78, 0.8, 5.0, and 5.5 ppm, respectively. The critical tissue concentrations for Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were 8.0,22.0, 61.5 and 25 ppm, respectively.