Studies on the effect of varying levels of zinc on the growth and yield of rice

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in a cultivators field at Edathua (Kuttanad) to study the effect of different levels and methods of zinc application on the growth and yield of rice (var. Jaya). Soil application of 0, 10, 20 and 30 kg zinc sulphate per hectare: foliar application of 0.25per cent and 0.5 per cent zinc sulphate, root dip in 2 per cent zinc oxide suspension , lime at 150, 300 and 600 kg CaO per hectare and their combinations were included in the treatments. The field was selected on the basis of a low content of available zinc (EDTA extractable). Observations were recorded on the growth parameters and yield characters . The chemical analysis of the plant material for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Zn at harvest were also carried out . The different growth parameters studied, recorded a significant increase in the grain yield could be obtained by zinc application . Foliar application of 0.5 per cent zinc sulphate and soil application of 20 kg zinc sulphate per hectare recorded the maximum yield of grain. These treatment yielded more than 20 per cent grain over control and were statistically on per. There was no significant increase in the mineral contents in the plant by zinc application, except zinc and phosphorus.