Evaluation of Variable Rates of Zinc Sulfate Fertilization on Soil Chemical Characteristics, Fertility Status, and Growth Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum): A Case Study on the Hilly Region of Uthal, Balochistan

Fertilization of field crops with zinc (Zn) has recently been a significant consideration worldwide due to deficiency and malnutrition. This research study aimed to evaluate the impact of different levels of zinc sulfate, combined with nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers on soil properties, morphological characteristics of plants, plant growth, yield attributes, and their interaction with soil properties. The research experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with Six variable rates of ZnSO-4 (0, 4.5, 9.5, 14.5, 19.5, and 24.5 kgha-1) arranged in a triplicate. The analysis results showed a 15-20% significant effect of increased rate of Zn fertilization on plant growth (plant height, leaf length, spike length, and fertile tiller formation), biological and grain yield of wheat compared to control. The mean maximum of biological (18018.33±820.63 and 17219.66±1261.41 kgha-1) and grain yield (4233.33±121.027 and 4000±58.13 kgha-1) were observed in T5 and T4 (ZnSO-4 rate 24.5 and 19.5 kgha-1) compared to control (8675.66±228.92 and 2863.33±46.99 kgha-1). Additionally; the results of the co-relation matrix showed a positive significant (p<0.05) effect among the various soil and plant parameters, while; the negative significant (p<0.05) was observed in soil pH, and non-significant (p<0.05) was observed in soil EC (dsm-1). Conclusively; this study's findings suggested that ZnSO-4 at the rate of 24.5 kgha-1 could improve the interaction among the soil and plant nutrition that enhanced the morphological characteristic of wheat and ultimately influenced biological and grain yield kgha-1 of wheat in the hilly areas of Balochistan.