Zinc fertilization in rice-wheat cropping system under upland calcareous soil

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) fertilization is important for Zn crop biofortification as well as increasing yields, thus proper Zn recommendations for soil application is needed for Zn deficient soils. The effectiveness of Zn applications was evaluated in different combinations of rates (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kg ha⁻¹ per year) and frequencies (initial, alternate, and every year) in rice (Oriza sativa L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system in a Zn-deficient upland calcareous soil in the fourth year. Zn applications to rice at 7.5 and 10 kg ha⁻¹ of alternate year and 5.0 to 10 kg ha⁻¹ of every year had the highest rice equivalent yield as compared to no-Zn treatment. Hence, Zn application to rice at 7.5 kg ha⁻¹ at alternate years is the lowest rate at which highest rice equivalent yield of rice-wheat cropping system can be obtained.

Keywords:

• Zn fertilization
• rice-wheat rotation
• Zn concentration
• Zn fractions
• DTPA-Zn

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to All India Coordinated Project on “Micro and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Element in Soils and Plants” of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi for financial support and technical guidance and to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (formerly Rajendra Agricultural University), Pusa for providing necessary facilities for conducting the experiment.

Additional information

Funding

Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.