Effect of different zinc application methods on growth, yield and Nutrient uptake in maize (Zea mays L.) under Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Advance Centre for Rainfed Agriculture (ACRA), Dhynsar of Skuast-Jammu during kharif 2022 to study the effect of zinc fortification on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) under rainfed conditions. Results of the experiment revealed that significantly highest growth parameters viz., plant height (188.8 cm and 226.4 cm) and dry matter accumulation (86.8 and 120.4 g plant-1) at 60 DAS and at harvest stage, yield attributes viz., cob weight (8.80g), grain and stover yield (47.7qha-1 and 80.8 qha-1) of maize variety JMC-3 was recorded with treatment T12 i.e. seed treatment with ZnSO4 @ 4gkg-1+ foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 at tasseling and silking stage. However, highest nutrient uptake (N P K) in grain and stover was also observed in seed treatment with ZnSO4 @ 4 gkg-1 seed + foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 at tasseling and silking stage while significantly lowest values of all these parameters was recorded with Control-T1 .