Exploring the Role of Zinc in Maize (Zea Mays L.) through Soil and Foliar Application

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is considered as high nutrient demanding crop and needs balanced nutrition. It is also regarded sensitive to zinc deficiency. Zinc is mostly deficient in soils and application of zinc fertilizer is required to explore its full potential. Crop species and even cultivars within species vary in their Zn requirement. A field experiment was conducted during spring 2011 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Zn uptake and grain yield in three maize hybrids (Pioneer-32 F 10, Monsanto-6525 and Hycorn-8288) through the application of Zn in the form of ZnSO₄. The ZnSO₄ treatments comprised; soil application at the time of sowing @ 12 kg ha^-1, foliar application at vegetative stage (9 leaf stage) @ 1% ZnSO₄ solution and foliar application at reproductive stage (anthesis) @ 1% ZnSO₄ solution and one treatment was kept as a control. The experimental results showed substantial difference in yield and yield contributing parameters such as plant population at harvest, number of grains per cob, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index. Statistically maximum grain yield (8.76t ha^-1) was obtained with foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 9-leaf stage (Zn₂) in case of Monsanto-6525. Foliar spray of ZnSO₄ increased 38% and soil application gave 23.7% more grain yield than control treatment. Foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 9-leaf stage in Monsanto-6525 hybrid produced higher grain yield and net field benefit. Thus foliar application of Zn fertilizers has a positive effect on economic and biological yield of maize crop.