Sulfur, Boron, and Zinc Fertilization Effects on Grain and Straw Quality of Maize and Sorghum Grown in Semi-Arid Tropical Region of India

ABSTRACT

Experiments were conducted on-farm during two seasons (2003–2004) to determine the effects of sulfur (S), boron (B), and zinc (Zn) fertilization on the grain and straw quality of sorghum and maize grown under rainfed conditions in the semi-arid zone of India. The farmers' fields were deficient in S, B, and Zn; in addition the soils were low in organic matter and extractable phosphorus (P), but adequate in extractable potassium (K). Results showed that the applications of S, B, and Zn (SBZn) with nitrogen (N) and P (SBZn + NP) significantly increased the grain N, S, and Zn concentrations in maize and sorghum compared to farmer inputs (FI) and SBZn treatments; the results relative to P and B composition of the grain of the crops were not consistent and did not show any definite trend. The application of SBZn + NP over FI generally increased N, S, and Zn concentration in sorghum and maize straw compared to FI and SBZn treatments. The straw composition of the crops relative to P and B did not show a consistent trend. The results of this study along with the results of our earlier research demonstrate that balanced nutrition of rainfed crops not only increases yields but also enhances N, S, and Zn contents in grain and straw of these crops.

Keywords:

• grain and stover quality
• balanced plant nutrition
• sulfur
• boron
• zinc
• rainfed crops
• maize
• sorghum

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihood Program (APRLP) of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Department for International Development (DFID) for financial support. We also thank Mr. S. P. Tucker, the then Project Coordinator and Ms. T. K. Sreedevi, the then Additional Project Coordinator APRLP for their assistance in the implementation of the watershed program under which the nutrient management trials were conducted.

Notes

^a Nine trials each were conducted on farmers' fields in 2003 and 2004.

^b Farmer inputs.

^a Trials were conducted on nine farmers' fields.

^b Farmer inputs.