Work

Application of zinc and boron fertilizers in field crops: Effectiveness of direct, residual and cumulative doses in an intensively cropped soil of Bangladesh

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The application of micronutrients is crucial for maintaining the fertility of soils under intensive cropping. Many of the added micronutrients do not need to be re-supplied to the next crops as their residue remains in the soil. A field experiment was conducted in a moderately alkaline floodplain soil of Bangladesh over two years to study the immediate and residual effects of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) fertilizers on the growth and yield of crops under wheat-jute-rice cropping pattern. The treatments included four Zn levels (0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 kg ha−1) combined with three B levels (0, 1.5, and 3.0 kg ha−1) applied in wheat. Two additional treatments receiving 2.0 kg Zn ha−1 and 2.0 kg Zn ha−1 + 1.5 kg B ha−1 were added to jute. Finally, another four treatments comprising 2 kg Zn ha−1, were applied to rice. Significant effects of Zn and B were observed on the yields of jute fiber (+0.5 t/ha) and rice grain (+0.4 t/ha), but not on wheat, indicating a notable difference in the crops' requirement of the nutrients. Most of the Zn and B applied in wheat remained under-utilized to be consumed by the succeeding crops resulting in improved yield and plant uptake. Yields of jute and rice as well as the system productivity in the treatment of 4 kg Zn plus 1.5 kg ha−1 (applied in wheat) were statistically similar to repeated applications of 2 kg Zn ha−1 to each of the first two crops. The effect of Zn was dominant over the effect of B in case of their combined application. The application of Zn and B remarkably increased the tissue concentrations of these nutrients in all the tested crops. The findings suggest that the application rates of Zn and B may be reduced, to some extent, considering their residual effects on the field crops.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e44264

Authors: Muhammad Sajidur Rahman, M. Jahiruddin, Muhammad Tareq, Sirajul Hoque

Institutions: Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Jagannath University, University of Dhaka

Language: English

Topic: Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270