Maize Yield Response to Zinc Sources and Effectiveness of Diagnostic Indicators

Maize yield is often limited by zinc (Zn) deficiency. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate maize yield response to Zn applied at four different rates, (ii) evaluate the yield response and agronomic efficiency of maize to the application of a complex fertilizer, MicroEssentials SZ (12N–40P–0K–10S–1Zn), compared to different rates of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) + ammonium sulfate (AS) + zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), and (iii) evaluate the association between tissue Zn concentration and soil-test Zn with the maize response to Zn fertilizer. Eleven experiments were carried out during the 2010, 2011, and 2012 growing seasons throughout eight states in the USA. Treatments consisted of four Zn rates of a physical blend of MAP + AS + ZnSO₄ (0, 2.24, 4.48, 6.72, and 11.2 kg/ha Zn) and MicroEssentials SZ at a Zn rate of 2.24 kg/ha Zn. Nitrogen, phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) rates were balanced across treatments (40 kg/ha P, 22 kg/ha S) and fertilizers were broadcast and incorporated immediately prior to planting. Treatment and location main effects were significant (P < 0.001) on corn yields, whereas the interaction treatment × location was not (P = 0.33). Maize responded positively to Zn fertilization; average yields across locations increased from 10,540 kg ha^?1 without Zn to 11,530 kg ha^?1 with 11.21 kg Zn ha^?1 applied as a physical blend. The yield response and Zn agronomic efficiency of maize with the application of the complex fertilizer at a rate of 2.24 kg Zn ha^?1 averaged 1004 kg ha^?1 and 448 kg maize kg Zn^?1, respectively, significantly higher (P < 0.1) than the yield response and Zn agronomic efficiency with the application of a physical blend with the same Zn rate, which averaged 293 kg ha^?1 and 131 kg maize kg Zn^?1, respectively. The Zn concentration in plant tissue of unfertilized plots varied greatly and was not related to the maize response to Zn fertilizer (r = 0.01; P = 0.98). With respect to soil Zn, a negative but nonsignificant relationship was found between maize response to Zn fertilizer and soil-test Zn (r = ?0.51; P = 0.16).     

施锌对小麦开花后氮、磷、钾、锌积累和运转的影响

为明确大田条件下施锌对小麦地上部器官氮、磷、钾、锌的积累量和转移量的影响,2001～2002年开展了田间试验。试验以专用强筋小麦(8901-11)和普通小麦(4185)两个冬小麦品种为材料,包括4个施锌水平(分别为施ZnSO4.7H2O.0、11.25、22.5和33.75.kg/hm2)。结果表明,各器官中Zn的含量变化在4.14～54.18.mg/kg,刚开花时及灌浆前期的含量以子粒>穗壳>叶片>茎秆,至接近成熟时则以子粒>叶片>穗壳>茎秆。每生产100.kg小麦子粒需要吸收Zn的范围在4.40～5.20.g之间。小麦成熟时吸收的Zn约为N或K2O的1/800～1/700,为P2O5的1/500～1/300。施锌后小麦各器官氮、磷、钾、锌的积累量及开花后向子粒的运转量增加,但施锌过多,这些营养元素的吸收、积累和运转反而受到抑制。4185开花前吸收氮和磷的能力较强,而8901-11开花后吸收氮和磷的能力较强;而吸收钾和锌的能力与吸收氮和磷的情况相反。8901-11氮、磷、钾、锌的积累量基本随施锌量增加而提高,以施硫酸锌22.5～33.75.kg/hm2的积累量最高;而4185以施硫酸锌11.25.kg/hm2的积累量最高。因此,在施用大量元素的基础上,普通小麦以施硫酸锌11.25.kg/hm2为宜,而强筋小麦以施硫酸锌22.5～33.75.kg/hm2为宜。     

Response of Wheat Plants to Zinc,Iron, and Manganese Applications and Uptake and Concentration of Zinc,Iron, and Manganese in Wheat Grains

This experiment was conducted at Zahak Agricultural Research Station in the Sistan region in southeast Iran. A factorial design with three replications was used to determine the effects of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) applications on wheat yield, Zn, Fe, and Mn uptakes and concentrations in grains. Four levels of Zn [soil applications of 0, 40, and 80 kg ha^?1 and foliar application of 0.5% zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) solution], two levels of iron sulfate (FeSO₄; 0 and 1%) as foliar application, and two levels of Mn (0 and 0.5%) also as foliar application were used in this study. Results showed that the interactive effects of Zn and Mn were significant on the number of grains in each spike. The highest number of grains resulted from the application of 80 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1 and foliar Mn. The interactive effects of Zn and Fe were significant on weight of 1000 grains. The highest weight of 1000 grains resulted from application of 80 kg Zn and foliar Fe. Application of 80 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1 alone and 80 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1 with foliar application of Mn significantly increased grain yield in 2003. The 2‐year results showed that foliar application of Zn increased Zn concentration and Fe concentration in grains 99% and 8%, respectively. Foliar application of Fe resulted in a 21% increase in Fe concentration and a 13% increase in Zn concentration in grains. The foliar application of Mn resulted in a 7% increased in Mn concentration in grains.     

Relative Efficiency of Zinc Sulfate and Zinc Oxide–Coated Urea in Rice–Wheat Cropping System

Abstract

Rice–wheat cropping system covers about 24 million hectares in China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and zinc deficiency is widespread in rice–wheat belts of all these five countries. The current practice of applying zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O) to soil is problematic because of the poor quality of the nutrients available in the market to the farmers. Zinc (Zn)–coated urea is therefore being manufactured to guarantee a good‐quality Zn source. This article reports the results from a field study conducted to study the relative efficiency of zinc sulfate and zinc oxide (ZnO)–coated ureas in rice–wheat cropping system. The highest grain yield of rice–wheat cropping system was obtained with 2.0% coating of urea. Zinc sulfate was also a better coating material than ZnO. Partial factor productivity, agronomic efficiency, apparent recovery, and physiological efficiency of applied Zn decreased as the level of Zn coating was increased.     

Effect of Zinc Humate on Growth of Soybean and Wheat in Zinc‐Deficient Calcareous Soil

Abstract

Humic acids have many benefits for plant growth and development, and these effects may be maximized if these materials are combined with micronutrient applications. In the present study, pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) humate and ZnSO₄ on growth of wheat and soybean in a severely Zn‐deficient calcareous soil (DTPA‐Zn: 0.10 mg kg^?1 soil). Plants were grown for 24 (wheat) and 28 days (soybean) with 0 or 5 mg kg^?1 of Zn as either ZnSO₄ or Zn humate. Zinc humate used in the experiments was obtained from Humintech GmbH, Germany, and contained 5% of Zn. When Zn was not supplied, plants rapidly developed visible symptoms of Zn deficiency (e.g., chlorosis and brown patches on young leaves in soybean and necrotic patches on middle‐aged leaves in wheat). Adding Zn humate eliminated Zn‐deficiency symptoms and enhanced dry matter production by 50% in soybean and 120% in wheat. Zinc‐humate and ZnSO₄ were similarly effective in increasing dry matter production in wheat; but Zn humate increased soybean dry matter more than ZnSO₄. When Zn was not supplied, Zn concentrations were 6 mg kg^?1 for wheat and 8 mg kg^?1 for soybean. Application of Zn humate and ZnSO₄ increased shoot Zn concentration of plants to 36 and 34 mg kg^?1 in wheat and to 13 and 18 mg kg^?1 in soybean, respectively. The results indicate that soybean and wheat plants can efficiently utilize Zn chelated to humic acid in calcareous soils, and this utilization is comparable to the utilization of Zn from ZnSO₄. Under Zn‐deficient soil conditions, plant growth and yield can be maximized by the combined positive effects of Zn and humic acids.     

Assessment of ZN Interaction with Nutrient Cations in Alkaline Soil and its Effect on Plant Growth

An experiment was conducted to assess the zinc (Zn) availability to wheat in alkaline soils during Rabi 2009–2010. Wheat seedlings in pots having 2 kg alkaline sandy soil per pot were treated with 5, 10 and 15 kg Zn ha^?1 as soil and with 0.5 and 1.0% zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) as foliar application. Results showed that Zn increasing levels in soil helped in phosphorus uptake up to boot stage but its conversion to grain portion lacked in Zn treated plants. Potassium (K) uptake also increased up to 6.24% in boot stage with treatment of 10 kg Zn ha^?1 + 1.0% ZnSO₄ foliar spray. Zinc (Zn) concentration increased in plant tissues with the increasing level of Zn application but this disturbed the phosphorus (P)-Zn interaction and, thus, both of the nutrients were found in lesser quantities in grains compared to the control. Despite of the apparent sufficient Zn level in soil (1.95 mg kg^?1), improvement in growth and yield parameters with Zn application indicate that the soil was Zn deplete in terms of plant available Zn. The above findings suggest that the figure Zn sufficiency in alkaline soil (1.0 mg kg^?1) should be revised in accordance to the nature and type of soils. Furthermore, foliar application of Zn up to 1.0% progressively increased yield but not significantly; and it was recommended that higher concentrations might be used to confirm foliar application of Zn as a successful strategy for increasing plant zinc levels.     

Response of wheat genotypes to zinc fertilization for improving productivity and quality

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) fertilization on yield potentiality and quality of promising wheat varieties during winter seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Among genotypes, HD 2967 genotype proved as best in realizing the highest grain yield (4.89 Mg ha^?1), net returns and benefit–cost ratio besides increased protein (13.4%) and wet gluten (29.4%) content in grain. Highest grain Zn concentration and recovery efficiency (RE) recorded in HD 2851 and HD 2687, respectively. HD 2932 registered lowest grain hardiness index (GHI) followed by PBW 343, indicating their better bread-making quality. With respect to Zn fertilization, application of 1.25 kg Zn Zn–ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (Zn–EDTA) + 0.5% foliar spray at maximum tillering and booting stages resulted in the highest yields, grain Zn concentration and RE followed by 2.5 kg Zn (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) + 0.5% foliar spray at both stages. These treatments are also superior most with respect to grain quality parameters such as protein, wet gluten and starch content. From profitability viewpoint, 2.5 kg Zn (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) + 0.5% two foliar sprays were most remunerative with maximum net returns and benefit–cost ratio.     

Fortification of Bread Wheat Using Synthesized Zn-Glycine and Zn-Alanine Chelates in Comparison with ZnSO4 in a Calcareous Soil

ABSTRACT

Calcareous soils typically suffer from zinc deficiency and zinc sulfate is incorporated in many cultivated soils. Utilization of ZnSO₄ has some kinds of interaction with soil particles and organic matter. In this study, the efficacy of two znic(Zn)-amino acid chelates (Zn-ACs) i.e., Zn-alanine (Zn-Ala) and Zn-glycine (Zn-Gly) on wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. N91-8) growth characteristics and zinc concentration in wheat was examined under greenhouse conditions and compared to the a commercial ZnSO₄. Results showed that Zn-Ala and Zn-Gly significantly increased the dry weight and shoot length of wheat in comparison to ZnSO₄ treatment. Soil application of Zn-Amino acid chelates proved to be the most influential source of zinc in increasing wheat growth and yield indices. Number of fertile spikelet and grain yield increased significantly respectively compared to ZnSO₄ treatment. Zn concentration and protein content of wheat grain in Zn-ACs treatment was significantly higher than the ZnSO₄ treatment. Soil application of Zn-ACs caused a significant decrease in the grain phytic acid (PA) concentration and also phytic acid to zinc molar ratio in comparison with ZnSO₄ treatment. According to the results, Zn-ACs could be utilized as a zinc fertilizer source for improving the zinc bioavailability in wheat.     

Effects of zinc fertilizer amendments on yield and grain zinc concentration under controlled environment conditions

The application of zinc (Zn) fertilizer to lentil is an agronomic strategy that has the potential to improve yield and enhance grain Zn concentration. A pot study was conducted to determine if Zn fertilizer applied to three popular Saskatchewan lentil cultivars could increase yield and concentration of Zn in the grain. The effects of soil and foliar applied Zn forms, including ZnSO₄, Zn chelated with EDTA, Zn lignosulphonate, and a control were evaluated. Forms of Zn were not found to significantly increase yield (P = 0.828) or grain Zn concentration (P = 0.708) in any of the lentil cultivars tested. Fertilization with soil applied ZnSO₄ resulted in significantly (P < 0.0001) higher amounts of residual available Zn in the soil relative to other Zn treatments. Soil fertilized with ZnSO₄ had 1.13 mg kg^?1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Zn compared to 0.84 mg Zn kg^?1 and 0.77 mg Zn kg^?1 in the soil and foliar applied chelated Zn, respectively.     

Mobility of Organic and Inorganic Zinc Fertilizers in Soils

Abstract

Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄ · H₂O) has traditionally been the “reliable” source of zinc (Zn) fertilizer, but other sources of Zn are also available. Some are derived from industrial by‐products, varying from flue dust reacted with sulfuric acid to organic compounds derived from the paper industry. The degree of Zn mobility in Zn sources derived from these various by‐products is related to the manufacturing process, the source of complexing or chelating agents (organic sources), and the original product used as the Zn source. Many claims are made regarding the relative efficiency of traditional inorganic Zn fertilizers and complexed Zn sources. The objective of this column study was to compare the mobility of several commercial Zn fertilizer materials (organic and inorganic) that are commonly used to correct Zn deficiencies in soils. The sources included three granular inorganic Zn sources, two granular organically complexed Zn sources, and liquid ZnEDTA. Soil columns were leached five times with deionized water. Leaching events were separated by approximately 48 h. At the conclusion of the leaching phase, columns were analyzed for plant‐available Zn. Water solubility was the primary factor affecting Zn movement, not total Zn content or organic complexation of the fertilizers. The Zn sources evaluated can be separated into three groups: ZnEDTA, ZnLigno, and ZnSO₄ were the most mobile Zn sources; the ZnOx55 was less mobile, but seemed mobile enough to meet crop needs; ZnOx26 and ZnSuc were relatively immobile Zn sources.     

Zinc fertilization approaches for agronomic biofortification and estimated human bioavailability of zinc in maize grain

Maize (Zea mays L.) is generally low in bioavailable zinc (Zn); however, agronomic biofortification can cure human Zn deficiency. In the present experiment, Zn was applied in pots as ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O to maize cultivar DK-6142 as foliar spray (0.5% w/v Zn sprayed 25 days after sowing and 0.25% w/v at tasseling), surface broadcasting (16 kg Zn ha^?1), subsurface banding (16 kg Zn ha^?1 at the depth of 15 cm), surface broadcasting + foliar and subsurface banding + foliar in comparison to an unfertilized control. As compared to control, all treatments significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased growth, yield and nutritional attributes in maize. Grain Zn and protein concentrations were correlated and ranged from 22.3 to 41.9 mg kg^?1 and 9 to 12 %, respectively. Zinc fertilization also significantly reduced grain phytate and increased grain Zn concentration. Zinc fertilization, especially broadcasting and subsurface banding combined with foliar spray decreased grain [phytate]:[Zn] ratio to 28 and 21 and increased Zn bioavailability by trivariate model of Zn absorption to 2.04 to 2.40, respectively. Conclusively, broadcasting and subsurface banding combined with foliar spray is suitable for optimal maize yield and agronomic Zn biofortification of maize grain. This would also be helpful to optimize Zn and protein concentration in maize grain.     

Zinc concentration of navy bean seed as affected by rate and placement of three zinc sources

Increased zinc (Zn) concentration in seed may sometimes improve human health. The influence of rate and placement of three Zn sources (ZnEDTA, ZnSO₄, and Rayplex‐Zn) on Zn concentration in navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed grown on a Calciaquoll was studied in the greenhouse. Application of 4 and 8 mg Zn/kg mixed throughout the soil increased seed Zn concentration by approximately 60 and 68%, respectively, and the responses were similar with the three Zn sources. The mixed‐throughout‐the‐soil ZnEDTA, ZnSO₄, and Rayplex‐Zn treatments applied at 8 mg Zn/kg reduced seed phosphorus (P) concentration by 10,13, and 15%, respectively. The corresponding reductions with 4 mg Zn/kg were 10, 8, and 13%, respectively. Banding ZnEDTA, ZnSO₄, and Rayplex‐Zn at 4 mg Zn/kg in 17‐cm‐long, 3‐cm‐deep bands reduced seed Zn concentration by 8, 34, and 31 % compared to their mixed‐throughout‐the‐soil counterparts. A significant Zn source x placement interaction resulted from marked reduction in Zn uptake as a result of banding ZnSO₄ and Rayplex‐Zn. Banding of ZnSO₄ and Rayplex‐Zn in calcareous soils is less likely to increase the Zn concentration of navy bean seed than is banding of ZnEDTA.     

Effect of Zn binding to phytate and humic substances on its uptake by wheat (Triticum durum L.) as affected by carbonates and Fe oxides

Although complexation with soil organic matter may improve zinc (Zn) bioavailability to plants, the effect of Zn sorbent surface on the use of complexed Zn by plants remains unknown. The objective of this research was to elucidate how Zn complexation with humic substances (HS) and phytate affects the uptake of Zn by wheat plants depending on the main sorbent surface in growth media, i.e., carbonates and Fe oxides. To this end, two pot experiments were performed, one using Fe oxide-coated siliceous as the siliceous growth medium sand and the other using a mixture of calcareous sand and siliceous sand as the calcareous growth medium. Each experiment involved three Zn sources, Zn-HS complex, Zn phytate, and ZnSO₄. All sources were applied with surface irrigation at two Zn rates (0.25 and 2 mg kg^-1 growth medium). The Zn-HS complex significantly increased Zn uptake by plants in both media, relative to the other two Zn sources, but no significant difference was observed between Zn phytate and ZnSO₄. In the calcareous medium, Zn-HS complex and Zn phytate resulted in significantly higher dry biomass yields of wheat than ZnSO₄. In the siliceous medium, spike and shoot dry biomass yields with Zn-HS complex at the low rate and Zn phytate at both rates were not significantly different from those with ZnSO₄ at the high rate. After harvest, approximately 50% of the Zn applied as Zn-HS complex remained extractable by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), while this proportion was less than 20% for the other Zn sources. Thus, Zn-HS complex and Zn phytate are sources of available Zn for plants, and they are more effective than ZnSO₄ in increasing plant growth, particularly when carbonates are the main Zn sorbent surface.     

Zinc toxicity from tire rubber in soilless potting media

Abstract

Petunia ’Stereo Red’ and Impatiens ’Impulse Violet’ were grown in soilless potting media that contained either 0, 5, 10, or 20% by volume of ground tire rubber. The pH of half of each medium was adjusted to 5.0 and that of the other half to 6.5. Shoot weights declined with increasing rubber content, due to increasingly severe zinc (Zn) toxicity. Lower shoot weights at pH 6.5 than at pH 5.0 were attributed to manganese (Mn) deficiency that was unrelated to the presence of rubber. Extrapolation from the experimental data indicated that Petunia ’Stereo Red’ would have been damaged by as little as a 2% inclusion of tire rubber. The high risk of Zn toxicity means that ground tire rubber should not be included in soilless potting media.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizers on zinc absorption and translocation in winter wheat

Zinc (Zn) deficiency caused by inadequate dietary intake is a global nutritional problem, so increasing Zn concentrations in crops is a challenging and high-priority research task. A field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on Zn absorption and translocation in winter wheat during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 crop seasons, in Xinzheng City, Henan Province, China. N was applied at four levels (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg N ha^?1) and Zn was applied at two levels (15 and 30 kg zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO_4·7H₂O) ha^?1]. The results indicated that reasonable N application increased grain yield, total Zn accumulations, and Zn concentrations of each plant part of winter wheat. Furthermore, appropriate N application increased Zn distribution proportions in grains and decreased Zn distribution proportions in roots, stems, leaves, and spikes, and enhanced Zn removal from roots, stems, leaves, and spikes to grains. Meanwhile, reasonable N combined with higher Zn application had a better effect on Zn absorption and Zn translocation to grain of winter wheat. The results suggested that suitable quantity of N fertilizer combined with higher Zn application is an important measure to obtain both higher grain yield and grain Zn concentration in winter wheat production.     

Zinc biofortification of bread wheat,triticale, and durum wheat cultivars by foliar zinc fertilization

Poor zinc (Zn) nutrition of wheat is one of the main causes of poor human health in developing countries. A field experiment with no zinc and foliar zinc application (0.5% ZnSO₄.7H₂O) on bread wheat (8), durum wheat (3), and triticale (4) cultivars was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications in 2 years. The experimental soil texture was loamy sand with slightly alkalinity. The grain yields of bread wheat, triticale, and durum wheat cultivars increased from 43.6 to 56.4, 46.5 to 51.6, and 49.4 to 53.5 t ha^?1, respectively, with foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO₄.7H₂O. The highest grain yield was recorded by PBW 550 (wheat), TL 2942 (triticale), and PDW 291 (durum), which was 5.22, 4.24, and 4.56% and significantly higher over no zinc. Foliar zinc application increased zinc in bread wheat, triticale, and durum wheat cultivars grains varying from 31.0 to 63.0, 29.3 to 61.8, and 30.2 to 62.4?mg kg^?1, respectively. So, agronomic biofortification is the best way which enriching the wheat grains with zinc for human consumption.     

拔节期土壤施锌对小麦籽粒中锌生物有效性影响评估

本研究通过2012—2013及2013—2014两个年度的田间试验,在小麦(扬麦-16)的拔节期土壤施加高用量的锌肥,通过植酸/锌摩尔比法,对小麦籽粒进行了锌生物有效性评价,每公顷施ZnSO4·7H2O的量达到300 kg能显著提高小麦籽粒锌含量,小麦籽粒锌含量达到60 mg/kg以上,小麦籽粒植酸/锌摩尔比显著降低,植酸/锌摩尔比最大可降低至15以下,表明小麦锌强化后籽粒中锌的生物有效性得到显著提高。     

Summer green-manuring crops and zinc fertilization on productivity and economics of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of summer green-manuring crops and zinc (Zn) fertilization on the productivity and economics of Basmati rice. Sesbania aculeata summer green-manuring crop residue incorporation (SGMI) gave highest values of all the growth and yield attributes, grain and straw yield, viz. 3.58, 3.69 t ha^?1 and 16.14, 16.25 t ha^?1 of Basmati rice in 2008 and 2009. Among the Zn fertilization treatments, application of 2.0% Zn-enriched urea (ZEU) as ZnSO₄ · H₂O significantly influenced yield attributes and yield of Basmati rice during both years, and the increase in grain yield was 38.5 and 40.0% over absolute control (no N and no Zn) and 11.9 and 13.6% over control (only N) in both years of study. However, 2.0% ZEU (ZnO) was very close in terms of yield attributes and grain, straw yields of Basmati rice. As regards to the economics of Basmati rice, SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO₄ · H₂O) Zn fertilization treatments gave the highest gross (SGMI, 85,985 and 91,582 INR ha^?1; 2.0% ZEU, 89,837 and 59,851 INR ha^?1) and net (SGMI, 56,997 and 61,445 INR ha^?1; 2.0% ZEU, 59,851 and 64,442 INR ha^?1) returns, respectively, compared with incorporation of the remaining summer green manuring residue and Zn fertilization treatments in 2008 and 2009. A significantly higher benefit:cost ratio was recorded with SGMI and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO₄ · H₂O). Overall, Sesbania aculeata green manuring and 2.0% ZEU (ZnSO₄ · H₂O) are excellent sources of N and Zn for improved productivity of Basmati rice.     

Efficiency of soil-applied 67Zn-enriched fertiliser across three consecutive crops

A very small amount of applied zinc (Zn) is taken up by crops, resulting in low recovery by plants. Adding elemental sulphur to zinc oxide (ZnO) fertiliser could improve Zn solubilisation and exert a higher residual effect on crops than soluble Zn sources. We produced an isotopically labelled Zn-elemental sulphur fertiliser and evaluated its performance in comparison to traditional Zn sources during sequential crop cultivation. Three ⁶⁷Zn-labelled fertilisers, ZnO, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), and ZnO co-granulated with elemental sulphur (ZnOS⁰), were soil applied, and their contributions to the uptake of Zn by three consecutive crops, wheat, ryegrass, and corn, were assessed in a 294-d pot experiment. The contributions of Zn fertilisers followed the order:ZnSO₄ > ZnO=ZnOS⁰. The relative contributions of Zn fertilisers were lower in the first crop than in the subsequent crops. The overall recovery of applied Zn by the three crops was higher for ZnSO₄ than for ZnO and ZnOS⁰, reaching 1.56%, 0.45%, and 0.33% of the applied Zn, respectively. Zinc recovery by plants was very low, regardless of the source of Zn. Adding elemental sulphur to ZnO did not increase its effectiveness up to 294 d after application. Fertiliser contribution was higher for the subsequent crops than for the initial crop, indicating the importance of assessing the residual effects of Zn fertilisers.     

Evaluation of Various Zinc Extractants in Lowland Rice Soil under the Influence of Zinc Sulfate and Chelated Zinc

Field experiments were conducted on rice (cv ‘IET 4094’) in an Aeric endoaquept (pH 7.2) to evaluate the various zinc (Zn) extractants in lowland rice soil under the influence of Zn sulfate and chelated Zn. The diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl), and 0.05 N HCl‐extractable Zn concentrations in soil increased initially up to the Z29 stage of crop growth when Zn was applied as a single basal source, being greater with Zn ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Zn‐EDTA) compared to zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) application. Among the various extractants, the performance of 0.1 N HCl in extracting Zn was better than the other two extractants and followed the trend 0.1 N HCl > 0.005 M DTPA > 0.05 N HCl. The greatest increase in grain and straw yield of rice was 37.8 and 20.4%, respectively, over the control in the treatment T₇ (1 kg Zn ha^?1 as Zn‐EDTA at basal).