Enhancing Zn and Fe Content in Blackgram Seeds by Adapting Drip Fertigation for Nutritional Security

Abstract

Aims: To study the influence of Zn and Fe content in black gram seeds by adapting drip fertigation. Study Design: Randomized Block design. Place and Duration of Study: Research block, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai; March – May 2023. Methodology: A Field experiment was conducted with black gram var.VBN 8 under drip irrigation on sandy clay textured soil. The treatments comprised of control measures, seed treatment, soil application, foliar spraying of Zn and Fe, a combination of seed and foliar spraying, and fertigation with ZnSO4 and FeSO4. Fertigation with the 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK was given as water-soluble fertilizer for all treatments. A field-based study was executed to explore the impact of zinc sulphate and ferrous sulphate on the growth, yield, and grain quality of micronutrient uptake was recorded. The economics and Water Use Efficiency of different treatments were also calculated. Results: Among the different treatments, the application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1and FeSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1 through drip fertigation at 15, 30 & 45 DAS recorded the highest plant growth and yield of black gram and it also enhanced the zinc content 17.72 per cent and iron content 23.82 per cent in black gram seeds compared to the control seeds. Conclusion: Drip fertigation of zinc sulphate and ferrous sulphate improved grain quality, and it was also used to alleviate malnutrition in humans.