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Abstract
Our study analyzed the effect of foliar tissues and seed tissue for determining the micronutrient status of a crop. Zinc (Zn) requirements of onion (Allium cepa L.) leaves and seeds were estimated from yield response curves based on field experiment conducted on a Zn-deficient calcareous soil. Three onion cultivars, i.e., ‘Swat-1’, ‘Phulkara’, and ‘Sariab Red’ were grown by applying 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 kg Zn ha−1. Zinc application significantly increased seed yield of all the three cultivars of onion. The order of seed yield response to Zn fertilization was: ‘Swat-1’ < ‘Phulkara’ < ‘Sariab Red’. Fertilizer Zn requirement for near-maximum seed yield was 2 kg Zn ha−1. Zinc concentration in mature onion seed also appeared to be a good indicator of soil Zn availability status. Critical Zn concentration in seed was 18 mg Zn kg−1, and in matured leaves was 21 mg kg−1.