PJB-2018-881
Rational use of zinc fertilizer to improve productivity, zinc uptake and zinc use efficiency of wheat
Muhammad Ahmed Akram
Abstract
Zinc deficiency limits wheat production and is a fear to global food security and human nutrition. Soil reactions controls Zn bioavailability to crops. We studied wheat productivity, critical Zn concentrations in wheat and Zn use efficiency in response to five application rates of Zn fertilizer in field conditions. Zn was applied as ZnSO4.H2O at the rate of 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 & 7.5 kg Zn ha-1. Significant increase in grain yield was recorded with the application of Zn. Highest grain yield (6.21 t ha-1) was recorded with the application of 5 kg Zn ha-1. Whereas, highest plant Zn uptake (380.91 g ha-1) was achieved by applying 7.5 kg Zn ha-1. Grain yield was affected up to 97.32% with increased grain Zn uptake. There was inverse relation of increasing input rates to Zn use efficiency. Higher efficiency was recorded at lower input rates. Critical internal and external Zn concentrations to achieve near maximum (95%) wheat yield were 37.81 µg g-1 and 2.80 kg Zn ha-1, respectively.
To Cite this article:
Download
