Impact of Foliar Fortification of Zinc and Iron on Nutrient Content and their Uptake by Maize Crop

Aim: To study the effect of zinc and iron foliar fortification on nutrient content and their uptake by maize crop.

Study Design: Randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: One year field study at Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Abhilashi University, Chail Chowk, Mandi (H.P).

Methodology: The experiment was conducted with three replications and eight treatments.

Results: Spray of ZnSO4 @ 1 % + spray of FeSO4 @ 0.3 recorded significantly highest content of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in grains and stover of maize along with their maximum uptake by grains, stover and total uptake by maize crop, which was at par with spray of ZnSO4 @ 1 % + spray of FeSO4 @ 0.1. Significantly highest zinc content in grains and stover was noted in spray of ZnSO4 @ 1 % + spray of FeSO4 @ 0.3 and it was statistically at par with spray of ZnSO4 @ 1 % + spray of FeSO4 @ 0.1, however, the content of iron in grains and stover was found highest in spray of ZnSO4 @ 1 % + spray of FeSO4 @ 0.3 and it was on par with spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 % + spray of FeSO4 @ 0.3 %. The uptake of zinc and iron by grains, stover and total uptake by maize crop was significantly maximum under spray of ZnSO4 @ 1 % + spray of FeSO4 @ 0.3 %. Whereas, the content of all these nutrients in grains and stover and their uptake by grains, stover and total uptake by maize crop were found minimum under control (Spray of water) during the experiment.

Conclusion: This study showed that the foliar application of zinc and iron significantly increases the content of nutrients and their uptake by maize crop.