Effect of Various Sources of Zinc and Iron on Dry Matter Yield, Nutrient Content and Nutrient Uptake of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana l.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2018 at College Farm, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU to evaluate the effect of various sources of zinc and iron on dry matter yield, nutrient content and nutrient uptake of finger millet. This experiment was conducted with randomized block design with 14 treatments and replicated thrice.The results revealed that application of different Zinc and iron sources at different rates significantly influenced the dry matter yield, nutrient content and nutrient uptake of finger millet. The highest dry matter production was reported with T10 - application of  RDF (60:40:30 kg N,P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1)+ foliar application of FeSO4 @ 0.5% twice at 30 and 60 DAS at all the stages followed by T14- (RDF+ foliar application of Fe-humate @ 0.25% twice at 30 and 60 DAS). Nutrient content decreased and Nutrient uptake (Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron and zinc) by the crop steadily increased with advancement in age of the crop upto harvest. The treatment receiving (T10) RDF+ foliar spray of FeSO4 @ 0.5% twice at 30 and 60 DAS recorded the highest nutrient content and (N, P, K & Fe) uptake by crop at 30DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest followed by (T14) RDF+ foliar application of Fe-humate @ 0.25% twice at 30 and 60 DAS. While, the Zinc content and uptake by crop at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest was highest with the treatment receiving (T8) -RDF + Zn-Humate foliar spray @ 0.25% twice at 30 and 60 days after sowing and was followed by treatment T7-RDF + Zn-Humate soil application @ 42 Kg ha-1.