Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Fractions of Zinc and Its Uptake by Indian Spinach (Beta vulgaris L.)

ABSTRACT

Zinc (Zn) availability can change with different organic amendments applied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of farm yard manure (FYM) and vermicompost (VC) applied with or without chemical Zn fertilizer on dry biomass yield, Zn uptake by Indian spinach (Beta vulgaris L.), and distribution of various fractions of Zn in post-harvest soil. Results indicated that dry biomass yield and Zn uptake positively responded to the application of FYM or VC alone at 2% as well as in combination with Zn at 5 mg kg⁻¹ through ZnSO₄·7H₂O. Integrated application of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)+2% VC+5 mg kg⁻¹ Zn increased dry biomass yield and Zn uptake by 2.92- and 3.37-folds, respectively, over the control. Integrated application of RDF+2% FYM+5 mg kg⁻¹ Zn was the best combination for increasing water-soluble and exchangeable Zn (WS&EX-Zn), carbonate-bound Zn (CAR-Zn), Fe- and Mn-oxide-bound Zn (FeMnOX-Zn), and organically bound Zn (OR-Zn) fractions. However, the preponderance of different Zn fractions remained the same in all the treatments, viz. WS&EX-Zn < FeMnOX-Zn < CAR-Zn < OR-Zn < Residual Zn (RES-Zn). All the Zn fractions were significantly and positively correlated with DTPA-extractable Zn, dry biomass yield, and uptake of Zn.

KEYWORDS:

• Dry biomass
• FYM
• spinach
• vermicompost
• zinc fractions

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India, for providing necessary funding and laboratory facilities for conducting the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.