Effect of Iron Formulations on the Performance of Maize Crop

Abstract

Chelated iron formulations are gaining importance due to their higher use efficiency and favourable effect on crop growth and yield. At present, chelated iron formulations prepared using synthetic chelating agents are used by farmers which are harmful to the ecosystem. Hence, an attempt made in the present study to develop new chelated iron formulations using citric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid. Newly developed TNAU Fe citrate (10.9 % Fe) formulation was tested in comparison with Ferrous sulphate and commercial Ferric citrate. Nine treatments replicated thrice in Randomised Block Design (RBD). The treatments included control (NPK alone), soil application (basal) of FeSO4 @ 9.5 kg Fe ha-1, TNAU Fe citrate and commercial Ferric citrate @ 0.95 and 1.9 kg Fe ha-1, foliar spray of 1.0 % FeSO4, TNAU Fe citrate and commercial Ferric citrate thrice on 30, 40 and 50 days after sowing (DAS). The results revealed that foliar application of Fe fertilizers outperformed soil application due to the calcareous nature of the experimental soil. Among the Fe formulations, foliar spray of 1% TNAU Fe citrate recorded highest yield attributes (cob length, no. of grains /cob, 100 grain weight), grain and stover yield, net income and B:C ratio.