Rice-wheat rotation is the most important cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains. On-farm experiment was conducted to reveal the effect of Zn fertilization on yield, uptake of nutrient, utilization efficiency (UE) and grain output per unit of fertilizer use through agronomic efficiency (AE) of P and Zn in rice-wheat rotation. The experiment was conducted with rice (cv. Pusa Basmati 1) and wheat (cv. UP–2425) by imposing twelve treatments involving four different doses of P (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and three different doses of Zn (0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg Zn ha-1) with three replications.  The yield of basmati rice was not significantly influenced by P×Zn interactions however, for wheat, a conjoint dose of 60 kg P2O5 and 5 kg Zn ha-1 gave the highest grain yield (5.43 t ha-1). Phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) of wheat was higher compared to basmati rice however, the reverse was true for zinc utilization efficiency (ZUE). Utilization efficiencies of the two nutrients diminished as their rate of fertilization increased, in both the crops. The AE of applied nutrients, in basmati rice varied from 31.4 to 49.7 kg grain kg-1 P and from 43.2 to 121 kg grain kg-1 Zn. In wheat, AE for P varied from 26.9 to 65.5 kg grain kg-1 and for Zn from 56.4 to 83 kg grain kg-1. In conclusion, the utilization and agronomic efficiency of P in basmati rice can be increased by using 40 kg P2O5 and 2.5 kg Zn ha-1.

Improving use efficiency of applied phosphorus fertilizer by zinc fertilization  in Basmati rice-wheat cropping system

<div>Background: Pearlmillet growing areas in country are mostly confined to coarse texture soil suffering from the problem of poor moisture retention capacity, low soil fertility and zinc deficiency. The main problem of rainfed area is uncertainty and uneven distribution of rainfall and loss of water through runoff which lead to low and unstable productivity due to moisture stress at critical stage of crop growth. At present, widespread and acute deficiency of zinc is another serious problem in arid and semi-arid region. Hence, the current study aim to find out suitable moisture conservation practices and zinc fertilization to mitigate the water stress and zinc deficiency under rainfed condition. 
 
Methods: A study on &ldquo;Effect of moisture conservation practices and zinc fertilization on nutrient status and quality of pearlmillet&rdquo; was conducted at Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) during kharif, 2017. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 20 treatments and replicated thrice. The experiment consisted of five moisture conservation practices i.e. control, dust mulch, pusa hydrogel, stover mulch and pusa hydrogel + stover mulch and four zinc fertilization practices i.e. control, 2 kg Zn/ha, 4 kg Zn/ha and 6 kg Zn/ha.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The perusal of data clearly indicated that among moisture conservation practices, stover mulch proved significantly superior to control, dust mulch, pusa hydrogel with respect to higher in N, P, K and &nbsp;Zn content, their total uptake and protein content in pearlmillet but it was at par with pusa hydrogel + stover mulch. Under zinc fertilization treatments direct application of 6.0 and 4.0 kg Zn/ha being at par with each other and recorded significantly higher in nutrient content, protein content and total uptake of N, Zn and K over control.</div>

<div>Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices and Zinc Fertilization on Nutrient Status and Quality of Pearlmillet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) under Rainfed Condition</div>

Phosphorus is a key nutrient for increasing productivity of legumes. It is required for plant growth and root development. Phosphorus deficiency in soil is widespread and crops grown under deficient situation show significant response to fertilizer phosphorus. At several places normal yield of crops could not be achieved despite judicious use of NPK fertilizers due to deficiency of micronutrients in soil, in general, that of Zn in particular. The knowledge regarding the use of optimum dose of nutrients especially Phosphorus and Zinc is of serious concern. The literature about the performance of fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in relation to phosphorus and zinc nutrition is reviewed in this paper.

Phosphorus and zinc fertilization in fodder cowpea - A review

<div>Background: The Zinc deficiency is a worldwide nutritional constraint for crop production in many types of soil. Appropriate application methods of Zn fertilizer are still unclear. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Zn fertilizer and application methods on the growth characteristics of Vigna unguiculata.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Zinc fertilizer and application method on photosynthetic characteristics and yield of Vigna unguiculata from June to September of 2019, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. A pot experiment was conducted as a factorial design with 3 replications.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The application of 15 kg ZnSO4.7H2O/ha increased chlorophyll content in leaves, improved photosynthesis and increased protein content of Vigna unguiculata, when applied as foliar application as opposed to being applied in basal application. These results have important implications for guiding the rational application of Zinc fertilizer and improving the yield of Vigna unguiculata.</div>

​Effectiveness of Foliar and Soil Application of Zinc Fertilizer on Growth Characteristics of Vigna unguiculata

<div>Background: In recent times the micro nutrients were reported to influence the crop growth and productivity. Among them zinc is a vital micronutrient for plants, humans and animals. However, zinc use efficiency mainly depends on methods of zinc fertilization. Although there are many ways to deliver zinc to crops such as soil application, foliar sprays, fertigation, seed priming and root dipping, etc. The right method and proportion to apply zinc fertilizer in southern Odisha is not yet standardized. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to choose the most efficient method of zinc fertilization for this agro climatic zone. 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted in summer maize during 2022 at PG Experimental farm, M.S.Swaminathan school of agriculture. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of T1, control (no application of zinc); T2, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 6.25kg/ha; T3, soil application with ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 12.5kg/ha; T4, soil application with&nbsp; ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 25kg/ha; T5, seed priming with 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O; T6, seed priming with 1.0% ZnSO4.7H2O; T7, seed priming with 1.5% ZnSO4.7H2O; T8, foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee high stage, T9; foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee height stage and tasseling; T10, foliar application of ZnSO4.7H2O at the rate 1.5% knee height stage, tasseling and grain filling stage. 
 
Result: The results showed that application of zinc in soil at the rate of 25kg/ha through soil application could be recommended to the farmers for growing maize during summer season in southern Odisha to achieve higher growth and productivity</div>

<div>Background: In recent times the micro nutrients were reported to influence the crop growth and productivity. Among them zinc is a vital micronutrient for plants, humans and animals. However, zinc use efficiency mainly depends on methods of zinc fertilization. Although there are many ways to deliver zinc to crops such as soil application, foliar sprays, fertigation, seed priming and root dipping, etc. The right method and proportion to apply zinc fertilizer in southern Odisha is not yet standardized. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to choose the most efficient method of zinc fertilization for this agro climatic zone. 
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<div style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</div>

Effect of Different Zinc Fertilization Methods on Growth and Productivity of Summer Maize (Zea mays L.)

<div>Background: Zn deficiency was predominant in soils of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, which causes yield reduction in most of the crops especially in finger millet. Zinc has important role in enzyme activation viz., oxidoreductase, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases. The deficient soil gives us the zinc deficient food which is said to be the major root cause for malnutrition among the children. Hence present study was intended to find out most appropriate method and time of zinc fertilization for higher productivity, grain quality and zinc fortification with two major finger millet varieties viz., vakula and tirumala. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications and two varieties viz., vakula (V1) and tirumala (V2) with seven zinc application treatments which includes: control (T1); NPK (30-30-20) + FYM @ 10t ha-1 (T2); T2 + soil application (SA) of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 as basal (T3); T2 + SA of chelated zinc sulphate @ 5 kg ha-1 as basal (T4); T2 + FA of 0.2% ZnSO4 at ear head emergence stage (T5); T2 + foliar application (FA) of 0.2% ZnSO4 at grain filling stage (T6); T2 + FA of 0.2% ZnSO4 at ear head emergence and grain filling stages (T7). 
 
Result: Foliar application of 0.2% ZnSO4 at ear head emergence and grain filling stages registered significantly highest grain and straw yield of 3150 kg ha-1 and 7364 kg ha-1, respectively compared to control and other zinc fertilization treatments. Between the two tested varieties tirumala variety recorded higher grain yield (2298 kg ha-1) compared to vakula variety (2230 kg ha-1).</div>

Influence of Various Methods of Zinc Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Varieties

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the effect of moisture conservation and zinc fertilization on quality, nutrient uptake, profitability and moisture use indices of chickpea in pearlmillet-chickpea cropping sequence under limited moisture conditions. Moisture conservation and zinc fertilization brought considerable improvement in quality, nutrient uptake, profitability and moisture use indices of chickpea during both the years of study. Chickpea planted under flat bed with 5.0 t/ha crop residue recorded significantly higher protein yield and total uptake of N, P and K during both the years of study as compared to flat bed without crop residue and flat bed with 2.5 t/ha crop residue. However, in terms of protein content during 2012-13 and soil profile temperature during both the years all the treatments received crop residue remained at par with each other and proved significantly superior over flat bed without crop residue. Planting of chickpea under narrow bed and furrow fetched significantly higher net returns ( &nbsp; 55,871 and 55,263/ha) and production efficiency ( &nbsp; &nbsp;372.5 and 337.0/ha/day) and moisture use efficiency (12.34 and 11.05 kg/ha-mm) during both the years of study over flat bed without crop residue and flat bed with 2.5 t/ha crop residue. Whereas, this treatment recorded significantly higher B:C ratio over flat bed with 5.0 t/ha crop residue. Under zinc fertilization, direct application of 5.0 kg Zn/ha significantly improved the protein content in grain during 2013-14 and protein yield, total uptake of N and P, net returns and production efficiency during both the years of investigation over lower levels. But application of 5.0 and 2.5 kg Zn/ha being at par with each other proved significantly better over control in terms of protein content during 2012-13 and total uptake of P, B:C ratio and moisture use efficiency of chickpea during both the years. Residual effect of zinc fertilization was also found to be significant on chickpea. The significant improvement in quality, nutrient uptake, profitability and moisture use efficiency were observed only up to 2.5 kg Zn/ha.&nbsp;

Moisture conservation and zinc fertilization impacts on quality, profitability and moisture use indices of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) under&nbsp;limited moisture conditions&nbsp;

<div>Background: Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is an annual herbaceous leguminous grain crop which is cultivated mainly for its oil and protein. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of plant density and zinc added to phosphorus fertilizer sources on soybean yield performance under different environmental conditions. 
 
Methods: A field trial was executed in two sites during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 summer planting seasons. The experimental design involved a 2 &times; 2 &times; 5 factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The experiment consisted of two plant densities, a lower plant density of 66 666 plants/ha and a higher plant density of 111 111 plants/ha. The five different types of fertilizer treatments were single superphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, zinc sulphate added to single superphosphate, zinc sulphate added to monoammonium phosphate and control. 
 
Result: The results showed that plant density has a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on soybean number of pods per plant and the field biomass yield. Soybean planted under lower plant density conditions produced a significantly larger number of pods per plant during both planting seasons, whereas higher plant density conditions resulted in a higher soybean field biomass yield during the 2018/19 planting season. It was observed that soybean treated with monoammonium phosphate had higher seed mass.</div>

The Effect of Plant Density, Zinc Added to Phosphorus Fertilizer Sources and Location on Selected Yield Parameters of Soybean

<div style="text-align: justify;">An experiment was conducted on maize during the Kharif Season of year 2016 at the Agronomy research farm of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola to find out the effect of potassium and zinc fertilization on various root growth attributes as well as accumulation of applied nutrients on roots. The treatment consisted of three different doses of potassium, i.e., 30,60 and 90 kg K2O/ha along with three different doses of zinc, i.e., 20, 30 and 40 kg ZnSO4/ ha. The experimental data revealed that with a progressive increment of potassium and zinc fertilization resulted in improved root growth in the case of both potassium and zinc. Synergistic effect between potassium and zinc has been observed as the application of potassium at a rate of 90 kg K2O/ ha along with 40 kg ZnSO4 resulted in higher total root length, root diameter, volume and dry weight. The accumulation of potassium and zinc has also been found significantly higher in case of higher application rate of both potassium and zinc.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of Potassium and Zinc Fertilization on Root Growth Parameters of Maize</div>

Background: Zinc deficiency constitutes a significant global issue affecting agricultural productivity and human health, particularly in developing regions where maize is a staple food. Maize is a widely propagated cereal crop on a global scale, playing a pivotal role in agricultural systems across diverse regions as a primary source of calories and nutrients for millions of people. However, maize often lacks essential micronutrients, including zinc, which is crucial for various physiological functions in both plants and humans. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted on sandy clayey loam soil during the rabi seasons of 2022 and 2023 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to study the effect of zinc fertilization through integrated nutrient management for enhancement of maize productivity and quality under western ghat condition. Maize was planted at a spacing of 60 x 25 cm using a Split Plot Design (SPD) with two integrated nutrient treatments as the main plot and six nutrient level treatments in sub-plots with three replications. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results revealed that that zinc fertilization treatments containing 0.5% Zn as ZnSO4 &nbsp;(H2), led to higher growth and yield attributes, grain yield (8906 kg ha-1) and stover yield (12652 kg ha-1) and also resulted in maximum crude protein content (15.12%), starch content (63.85 mg g-1), Fe (38.25 mg kg-1) and Zn (36.06 mg kg-1) in maize grain. It was observed that Zinc fertilization through 100% integrated nutrient management enhanced the vegetative growth, yield components and grain quality of maize crop.

Improving use efficiency of applied phosphorus fertilizer by zinc fertilization in Basmati rice-wheat cropping system

Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices and Zinc Fertilization on Nutrient Status and Quality of Pearlmillet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) under Rainfed Condition

Phosphorus and zinc fertilization in fodder cowpea - A review

Effectiveness of Foliar and Soil Application of Zinc Fertilizer on Growth Characteristics of Vigna unguiculata

Effect of Different Zinc Fertilization Methods on Growth and Productivity of Summer Maize (Zea mays L.)

Influence of Various Methods of Zinc Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Varieties

Moisture conservation and zinc fertilization impacts on quality, profitability and moisture use indices of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) under limited moisture conditions

The Effect of Plant Density, Zinc Added to Phosphorus Fertilizer Sources and Location on Selected Yield Parameters of Soybean

Effect of Potassium and Zinc Fertilization on Root Growth Parameters of Maize

Evaluating the Efficacy Levels of Zinc Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Maize (Zea mays L.)