Vol. 10, Issue 7 (2021)

Author(s):
Lupita Borah, Jumi Saikia and Anjali Basumatary

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted during the months of November-January 2018-19, at the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to study the effect of foliar application of zinc on the quality of garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) and the soil properties, for which five different treatments were applied in four replications. Among the various treatments, the highest available nitrogen (274.09kg/ha), available potassium (125.56kg/ha) and available zinc content (1.39 mg/kg) of the soil as well as the highest zinc content of the leaves (54mg/kg) were recorded with T₅ (1% Zn), followed by T₄ (0.75% Zn). T₃ (0.50% Zn) recorded the highest nitrogen content of the leaves (3.71%) while the highest phosphorous content of the leaves (0.55%) was obtained in T₁ (control). In case of seed quality characters, T₄ (0.75% Zn) recorded the highest nitrogen content (3.86%), crude protein content (24.12%), starch content (46.92g/100g), moisture content (62.31%) as well as ascorbic acid content (9.15mg/100g), followed by T₅ (1% Zn)_, whereas the highest total sugar (13.47g/100g) and TSS content (15.10°Brix) were recorded in T₅ (1% Zn), followed by T₄ (0.75% Zn)_. In many instances the trend decreases after a particular point, due to negative effect of excess micronutrient application than the optimum amount needed, which affects the plant in various ways. In a broader view, it can be suggested from the present study, that the one with 0.75% zinc application (T₄) turns out to be the optimum treatment, beneficial towards improving the quality of garden pea and soil characters.