The Critical Zinc Deficiency Level and Response to Zinc Application of Wheat on Typic Ustochrepts

Abstract

SUMMARY Field experiments at 26 sites, selected on the basis of their varying degrees of zinc deficiency, showed that the critical deficiency levels of zinc for wheat were 0.60 mg kg −1 in the soil and 19 μg g −1 dry matter in 45-day-old plants. Further field trials at nine locations with varying levels of zinc deficiency showed successive increases in the grain yield of wheat with increases in zinc application, emphasizing the need for zinc fertilization when wheat is grown on zinc-deficient soils.