Response of pigeonpea to applied zinc in Ustifluvent soils of Western Uttar Pradesh
Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) when raised in pot-culture on an adequately fertilized loamy sand. Gangetic upland semi-arid alluvial soil (Ustifluvent) of Putti village, Bulandshahar district in western Uttar Pradesh showed positive responses to graded (1 to 25 mg kg−1 soil) Zn amendment. The increase in height, branching, production of pods and harvest index of pigeonpea was highest at 5 mg kg−1 Zn added soil which raised DTPA extractable soil Zn from 0.41 to 1.23 mg kg−1. The optimal growth of pigeonpea was at 1.23 mg kg−1 available soil Zn and in middle leaves the concentration of Zn was 42.2 mg kg−1 (d 67). Critical values helpful in predicting 50 per cent crop responses to Zn amendment were 0.52 mg kg−1 DTPA soil Zn and 25 mg Zn kg−1 in middle leaves, 0.90 mg kg−1 DTPA-Zn and 16.8 mg kg−1 leaf Zn for top yield. The threshold of deficiency values were 0.70 mg kg−1 for DTPA soil Zn and 23.6 mg kg−1 for leaf Zn. DTPA soil Zn valnes of 5.8 mg kg−1 and tissue Zn 43.4 mg kg−1 in middle leaves indicated marked toxicity of Zn for top yield. The corresponding values representing threshold of toxicity were 3.0 mg kg−1 DTPA extractable Zn and 36.8 mg kg−1 Zn in middle leaves. These values will be helpful in predicting Zn status of soils as well as for crop plants growing on them.
Authors: B. K. Dube, Chandra P. Sharma, C. Chatterjee
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2255183180