Effect of potassium and foliar spray of zinc on yield, nutrient biofortification, and economics of fodder maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Agronomy section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana) during the kharif season of 2019 to evaluate the effect of potassium and foliar spray of Zn on fodder yield, nutrient bio-fortification, and economics of fodder maize production. Randomized Block Design (RBD) was utilized with three replications, where nine treatments were formulated with different combination of potassium. The experimental findings revealed that potassium and foliar spray of zinc significantly affected plant growth parameters viz; leaf length, leaf width, leaf numbers, and stem girth. Potassium and foliar spray of zinc showed a significant effect on green and dry fodder yield. The highest green fodder (51.4 t ha^–1) and dry matter (9.7 t ha^–1) yield was recorded in treatment 100% Recommended dose of potassium (RDK) +PGPR+ FYM (@5 t ha^–1) + 0.5% Zn spray and found comparable with 75% RDK + PGPR + 5 t ha^–1 FYM + 0.5% Zn spray and 100% RDK + PGPR + 0.5% Zn spray. The composition of maize fodder for macronutrient (N, P, K) and micronutrient (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) content and uptake significantly improved when applied with potassium and foliar spray of zinc. Soil parameters such as pH, EC, and organic carbon content were not affected significantly with different treatment combinations. In terms of economics highest net return (` 53,876 ha<sup>–1</sup>) and benefit: cost ratio (B:C) ratio (2.48) was obtained in treatment 100% RDK +PGPR+ 0.5% Zn spray over net return (` 25,503 ha^–1) and B:C ratio (1.26) in control. It may be concluded that the treatment of 100% RDK + PGPR + 0.5% Zn as foliar spray may be recommended for adoption to the farmers to achieve nutrient-enriched higher green and dry fodder yields along with better net returns and benefit: cost ratio.