Effect of nitrogen and zinc fertilizer on Zn biofortification in pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) Singh Renu1, M.Sc. (Ag.) Scholar, Prasad S.K.1, Assistant Professor, Singh M.K.1,*, Assistant Professor Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh-221 005 1Department of Agronomy, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh *Corresponding Author Email: manozsingh@rediffmail.com, manoj.agro@bhu.ac.in
Based on a part of M.Sc. thesis of the first author submitted to Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Online published on 25 November, 2014. Abstract A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2011–12 at Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh to study the response of pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] to nitrogen and zinc on Zn biofortification in this crop. The field experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design, with 3 replications, comprising 4 nitrogen (N) levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N/ha) and 3 levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 kg Zn/ha) with constant rates of phosphorus and potassium at 40 and 30 kg/ha respectively. Application of 60 kg N/ha and 10 kg Zn/ha resulted in the maximum grain yield, N content and uptake by grain and stover of pearlmillet. Zinc content in grain linearly enhanced with sole application of N and Zn levels up to 20 kg N/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha. Combined application of 5 kg Zn/ha × 20 kg N/ha was found optimum for enhancement of Zn content in grains of pearlmillet. Agronomic nitrogen and zinc efficiency decreased with the increasing nitrogen and zinc levels. Top Keywords Agronomic biofortification, Ferti-fortification, Nitrogen and zinc interaction, Zinc content, Zinc uptake. Top |