EFFICACY OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF ZINC METALOSATE FOR ENHANCING POTATO YIELD IN AN ACID ALFISOL
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Date
2018-09-28
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CSKHPKV, Palampur
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2016-17 on potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Kufri Jyoti) at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur with twelve treatments consisting of three sources of zinc (ZnSO4, Zn metalosate and Zn-EDTA) at different concentrations (1/10th, 1/4th and half of recommended dose, recommended dose and 1.5 times the recommended dose) from T4 to T12 and two methods of zinc application, viz., soil and foliar feeding along with 100% NPK (T2 and T4 to T12) , T3 consisting of NPK + FYM @ 25 t ha-1 and one absolute control (T1) in a randomized block design to evaluate the efficacy of zinc metalosate ( the new noble product) in comparison to the tested ones (ZnSO4 and Zn-EDTA). The application of zinc influenced yield and yield contributing characters, quality, economics, soil properties, nutrient content and uptake significantly at recommended rate through Zn metalosate. Application of NPK + FYM had significant effects on yield parameters as well as on yield and quality of the crop. Highest tuber yield (159.5 q ha-1) was recorded with the application of NPK + FYM, which was 49.2 per cent higher over control (T1). Better quality of potato was recorded with application of NPK + FYM and foliar application of Zn at recommended rate through Zn metalosate. Significant effect of treatments on nutrient uptake indicated that maximum uptake of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu by tuber and haulm were recorded with the application NPK + FYM whereas, zinc uptake was highest when Zn was applied at its recommended rate through Zn metalosate along with 100% NPK. Different treatments did not show any effect on soil pH and available sulphur but had a significant effect on soil available N, P, K and Zn content. The highest value (0.50 mg kg-1) of soil available zinc was recorded with NPK + soil Zn. Foliar application of Zn metalosate in potato was found superior to the application of ZnSO4 and Zn-EDTA at the same rates. Higher net returns and B:C were registered with recommended rate of Zn application through ZnSO4. Though ZnSO4 had better net returns and B:C both as soil application or foliar spray because of the less cost but had less use efficiency compared to Zn metalosate. Zn metalosate may be a better option/alternate provided the cost is brought down comparable to the commonly used Zn fertilizers.
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