Zinc Biofortification and Nutrient Management Effect on Growth, Yield and Yield Efficiency Index of Garden Pea under Himalayan Conditions

Abstract

Background: Biofortification, an evolving research strategy, aims to enhance the bioavailability of essential micronutrients in staple food crops. The most efficient approach, agronomic biofortification, involves the challenging task of simultaneously increasing grain zinc content and yield through breeding and biotechnology. In pursuit of biofortifying garden peas in the Himalayan region and optimizing their yield, this study was devised with a focus on foliar zinc fertilization application. Methods: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The observations were recorded on growth and yield characters and yield efficiency was calculated. The data recorded was analysed as per design of the experiment for working out the following values. Result: The results revealed that application of 100 % RDF + 0.5 % ZnSO4+ Rhizobium produced best results in most of the yield and yield contributing characters likepod length, pod weight, number of grains per pod, yield and yield efficiency index which can be recommended for increasing the yield ad well as zinc content in pea.