Effect on Soil Properties as Influenced by the Application of FYM Enriched with Zinc Solubilizers and Zinc Sulphate in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Background: Suboptimal dietary zinc intake is widespread in India due to low levels of plant-available zinc in soils and limited food choices. The aim of this study was to enhance the zinc concentration in soil and plant by using farmyard manure (FYM) enriched with zinc fertilizers and zinc solubilizers respectively. Additionally, the response of maize to three forms of zinc fertilizer was determined. Maize crop grown under zinc-deficient soils contain lower zinc concentration, which can cause human illness and a drastic effect on yield can be noticed. Therefore, enhancing zinc content in plants by using FYM enriched with zinc solubilizers and inorganic zinc fertilizers is the best approach to increase zinc content in soil and plants.

Methods: A field experiment was conducted to study the physico chemical properties of soil under maize (Zea mays L.) in response to the application of FYM enriched with ZnSB and ZnSO4 on sandy loam soils at College Farm, Agricultural College, Mahanandi campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University during rabi, 2021-2022. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eleven treatments and replicated thrice.

Results: The results revealed that significantly higher and comparable values of available nitrogen (302, 299 and 281 kg ha-1 respectively), phosphorous (73.40, 66.53 and 58.40 kg ha-1 respectively) and zinc (1.76, 1.54 and 1.15 mg kg-1 respectively) at different growth stages of maize were registered with application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1. Whereas available potassium, Iron, manganese, copper, soil pH, EC (dS m-1) and OC (%) were not significantly affected by the application of FYM enriched with ZnSB and ZnSO4.