Response of hybrid maize to multiple soil organic amendments under sufficient or deficient soil zinc situation
Naeem Sarwar1*, Khuram Mubeen2, Allah Wasaya3, Atique-ur-Rehman1, Omer Farooq1, Muhammad Shehzad4
1Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
2Department of Agronomy, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
3College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur Sub-Campus, Layyah, Pakistan
4Department of Agronomy, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K, Pakistan
Abstract
We studied the role of addition of various organic supplements for zinc uptake and overall maize crop performance. In field experiment, different sources of organic matter were added as supplement doses in the form of compost, biochar, humic acid and biofertilizer with or without soil zinc application. All other agronomic practices were remained normal as per farming community recommendation. Results revealed that various organic supplements significantly improved the crop performance not under zinc applied soil while also under zinc deficient soil. Crop showed accelerated growth in term of leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate etc which further leads toward better crop yield and quality. Organic supplements (biochar>compost>humic acid>biofertilizer) improve the crop production in zinc deficient as well as in zinc fertile soil but this effect was most prominent under biochar application. Findings suggest that farmers can enhance the maize crop productivity with the addition of organic supplements under zinc fertilization.
