CHENNAKESHAVA, SRAKSHITHA, B K2023-01-132023-01-132022-12-19Th-13417https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810192133The field experiment was conducted to know the effect of different sources, levels and methods of zinc application with bio inoculant on growth and yield of maize in Alfisol during rabi season of 2021-22 at College of Agriculture, Hassan, Karnataka. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Design comprising nine treatments replicated thrice which includes, NPK + foliar application of Nano Zn (2 ml L- 1 and 4 ml L-1) and NPK + ZnSO4 (0.25 and 0.5 % at 45 DAS and silking stage), NPK + seed treatment of Zn solubilizer alone as well as various combinations of soil application of ZnSO4 @ 5 and 10 kg ha-1, NPK + ZnSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1 and only NPK. Results suggested that significantly higher growth and yield parameter, kernel and stover yield were recorded in NPK + foliar spray of Nano Zn @ 4 ml L-1 when compare to RDF. Similarly zinc content in kernel, total zinc uptake and crude protein in kernel were found significantly higher in NPK + foliar spray of Nano Zn @ 4 ml L-1. Among different zinc fractions in soil, water soluble + exchangeable, organically complexed, manganese oxide bound, amorphous and crystalline sesquioxide bound zinc fractions and dehydrogenase activity were significantly higher in NPK + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1 + Zn solubilizer at harvest. Higher gross and net returns, cost of cultivation and B: C ratio were recorded in NPK + foliar spray of Nano Zn @ 4 ml L-1.EnglishThesis