Effects of Source and Method of Zinc Application on Yield, Zinc Biofortification of Grain, and Zn Uptake and Use Efficiency in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Indian Agricultural Research Institutes, New Delhi, to compare zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSHH) and zinc–ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Zn-EDTA) applied to soil or foliage on grain yield, Zn biofortification of grain, and Zn uptake and use efficiency in chickpea. Zn-EDTA was better than ZnSHH, and foliar application was better than soil application of Zn. Three foliar spays of Zn-EDTA [at active vegetative (V), flowering (F), and grain-filling stages (G)] gave the greatest grain and straw yields, Zn biofortification of grain, and Zn uptake by chickpea. The greatest agronomic efficiency (kg grain increased kg^–1 Zn applied) was recorded with two sprays (V + F) of Zn-EDTA and the lowest with soil application of ZnSHH at 5 kg Zn ha⁻¹. The greatest crop recovery efficiency (% of applied Zn taken up by crop) of applied Zn was recorded with three sprays (V + F + G) of Zn-EDTA (17.33%) in 2011–2012. The least crop recovery efficiency (1%) was recorded with soil application of ZnSHH at 5 kg Zn ha⁻¹.

Keywords:

• Agronomic efficiency of Zn
• crop recovery of Zn
• foliar application of Zn
• zinc sulfate heptahydrate
• Zn biofortification
• Zn-EDTA

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the director of the institute and head, Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, for providing the necessary facilities to carry out this research work. Professor Rajendra Prasad is grateful to the director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, for awarding him an adjunct professor position.