Effect of Zinc and Iron Application on Physiological Parameters and Nutritional Quality of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2021 at the College Farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, to evaluate the effect of zinc and iron sulphate application on the physiological parameters and nutritional quality of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) variety GM-6. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications and twelve treatments comprising the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), basal application of ZnSO₄ or FeSO₄, foliar sprays of ZnSO₄ or FeSO₄ at 0.5 and 1.0%, and selected combinations. Zinc and iron application significantly influenced physiological and nutritional traits. Among the treatments, RDF + 0.5% ZnSO₄ foliar spray (T4) recorded the highest leaf area (302.99 cm² plant⁻¹ at 45 DAS and 485.96 cm² plant⁻¹ at harvest), leaf area index (1.83 at 45 DAS and 3.83 at harvest), stomatal conductance (1.65 at 45 DAS and 2.68 at harvest) and seed zinc content (31.30 ppm). The highest photosynthetic rate (22.08 µmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ at 45 DAS and 33.92 µmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ at harvest) and seed protein content (24.52%) were recorded with T8. The highest seed iron content (153.69 ppm) was recorded with T6. Overall, foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO₄ improved selected physiological traits and seed zinc enrichment, while FeSO₄ application improved seed iron content.