Influence of Micronutrients (Boron and Zinc) on Uptake and Availability of Nutrients

Abstract

An experiment was carried out SKUAST –K in two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) to study the effect of zinc and boron and their interaction on nutrient uptake in onion on nutrient uptake and soil properties of onion. In the experiment it was observed that sole zinc and boron levels, Z3 (7.500 kg Zn ha-1) and B3 (1.500 kg B ha-1) application proved superior in enhancing the uptake of all nutrients but exhibited lowest value in case of phosphorus uptake. It was further observed that interaction of zinc and boron proved superior to their sole applications in increasing uptake of nutrients. Treatment combination Z3B3 (7.500 kg Zn + 1.500 kg B ha-1) recorded significantly maximum value for uptake of nitrogen (113.93 kg ha-1), potassium (67.17 kg ha-1), boron (125.58 g ha-1) and zinc (184.01 g ha-1) but exhibited lowest value in case of phosphorus uptake. Sole application of zinc and boron and their combination exhibited a non-significant influence on soil pH, electric conductivity, organic carbon (%) and organic matter (%). Application of zinc (7.500 kg ha-1) and boron (1.500 kg ha-1) improved the availability of all nutrients except of phosphorus availability. Interactions of zinc and boron, proved synergistic in augmenting available nutrients except for phosphorus availability.