Efficacy of Soil Applied Phosphorus and Foliar Zinc Application on Different Growth Stages to Improve Productivity of Maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

Phosphorus (P), foliar zinc (Zn) and its time of application plays an important role in crop productivity. To study its effect on maize, field experiment was conducted at Fodder and Forage Crops Section Harichand-Charsadda, Pakistan. The field experiment was conducted on 7 July 2021. Two levels of P (90 and 120 kg ha -1 ) and three levels of Zn (0 i.e., water spray only, 2.5 and 5 kg ha -1 ) were applied at three growth stages, full at vegetative stage (V6), full at reproductive stage (R2) and ½ at V6 and ½ at R2 stage along-with an overall control were used in the experiment. Randomized complete block design was used with three replications. The studied parameters were significantly affected by P, Zn and AT. Ear length (17.8 cm), ear weight (115.8 g), grains ear -1 (390) and thousand grains weight (257 g) had significantly affected when 120 kg P ha -1 was applied. Similarly, ear length (18.4 cm), ear weight (129.6 g), grains ear -1 (407) and thousand grains weight (258.33 g) were significantly affected in plots treated at the rate of 5 kg ha -1 with Zn. In case of growth stages, Zn applied half at vegetative and half at reproductive stages significantly enhanced the ear length (18.2 cm), ear weight (127.4 g), grain ear -1 (391) and thousand grains weight (255.5 g). It is concluded from the experiment that application of 120 kg P ha -1 significantly improved ear length, ear weight, grains per ear and thousand grain weight. In case of foliar application of 5 kg Zn ha -1 improved ear length, ear weight, grains per ear and thousand grain weight of cob. Similarly, in case of Zn application stages, ½ at vegetative and ½ reproductive stage will improve productivity of maize crop. Therefore,120 kg P ha -1 , 5 kg Zn ha -1 along with its application timing ½ at vegetative and ½ reproductive stage is recommended for the agro climatic conditions of Peshawar.