Vol. 11, Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Sudershan Mishra, Sudhir Kumar Guru, Anjali and Megha Panwar

Abstract:
Excessive and imprecise application of a limited range of macronutrients in wheat has resulted in a stark deficit of micronutrients, particularly zinc, making zinc insufficiency a major constraint in wheat production worldwide. A field study was conducted at the N.E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, India during the wheat cropping season of 2019–20 with the objectives of evaluating the effects of different concentrationsas well as spray frequencies of foliar-applied ZnSO₄ on yield attributes, zinc response curve and utilization efficiency in wheat. Wheat variety PBW343 was used in the study. Results indicate that foliar ZnSO₄ application significantly increased panicle number per meter square and biological yield; straw and grain yield; as well as test weight and harvest index. Three sprays of 0.75% ZnSO₄ was found to be most effective combination towards increasing all the yield associated parameters except biological yield and straw yield maximum values of which were observed with a single spray of 1% ZnSO₄. The maximum grain yield (5.25 t/ha), amounting to an increase of 19.4% over the control plants was observed with three sprays of 0.75% ZnSO₄.Foliar zinc application significantly affected total zinc uptake and highest total zinc uptake summing up to about 40% increment over control plants was recorded under three sprays of 1% ZnSO₄. Among the different zinc efficiency indices Partial Factor Productivity (PFP) and Agronomic efficiency (AE) were significantly affected by foliar ZnSO₄ application. When compared to 0.5% ZnSO₄ an increase of 20-32% and 55-65% in AE and Physiological Efficiency (PE) respectively was observed with 0.75% ZnSO₄ application.