Influence of Zinc Nutrition on Growth and Yield Behaviour of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids

Azeem Tariq, Shakeel A. Anjum, Mahmood A. Randhawa, Ehsan Ullah, Muhammad Naeem, Rafi Qamar, Umair Ashraf, Mubashar Nadeem

Department of Agronomy, University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Department of Continuing Education, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2014.518279                

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during spring 2011 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Zn uptake and grain yield in three maize hybrids namely Pioneer-32F 10, Monsanto-6525 and Hycorn-8288 through the application of Zn in the form of ZnSO₄. The ZnSO₄ treatments comprised; soil application at the time of sowing @ 12 kg·ha^-1 (Zn₁), foliar application at vegetative stage (9 leaf stage) @ 1% ZnSO₄ solution (Zn₂) and foliar application at reproductive stage (anthesis) @ 1% ZnSO₄ solution (Zn₃) and one treatment was kept as a control, where zinc was not applied (Zn₀). The experimental results showed substantial difference in all physiological and yield parameters except plant height and stem diameter. Statistically maximum grain yield (8.76 t·ha^-1) was obtained with foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 9 leaf stage (Zn₂) in case of Monsanto-6525. As regard to quality parameters, Pioneer-32F 10 and Hycorn-8288 accumulated more zinc contents in grains but Monsanto-6525 attained more zinc concentration in straw. Foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 9 leaf stage produced 19.42% more zinc contents in grains as compared to other ZnSO₄ treatments. Foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 9 leaf stage in Monsanto-6525 hybrid produced higher grain yield.

Keywords

Grain Yield, Hybrids, Maize (Zea mays L.), ZnSO₄

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Abunyewa, A.A. and Mercer-Quarshie, H. (2004) Response of Maize to Magnesium and Zinc Application in the Semi Arid Zone of West Africa. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 3, 1-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ajps.2004.1.5
[2]	Alloway, B.J. (2004) Zinc in Soils and Crop Nutrition. IZA Publications, International Zinc Association, Brussels, 1-116.
[3]	Baloch, Q.B., Chachar, Q.I. and Tareen, M.N. (2008) Effect of Foliar Application of Macro and Micro Nutrients on Production of Green Chillies (Capsicum annuum L.). Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 4, 177-184.
[4]	Brown, P.H., Cakmak, I. and Zhang, Q. (1993) Form and Function of Zinc in Plants. Kluwar Academic Publishers, Dordecht, 93.
[5]	Bybordi, A. and Mamedov, G. (2010) Evaluation of Application Methods Efficiency of Zinc and Iron for Canola (Brassica napus L.). Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 2, 94-103.
[6]	Cakmak, I., Torun, B., Erenoglu, B. Ozturk, L., Marschner, H., Kalayci, M., Ekiz, H. and Yilmaz, A. (1998) Morphological and Physiological Differences in the Response of Cereals to Zinc Deficiency. Euphytica, 100, 349-357. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1018318005103
[7]	Cakmak, I. (2000) Possible Roles of Zinc in Protecting Plant Cells from Damage by Reactive Oxygen Species. New Phytologist, 146, 85-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2000.00630.x
[8]	Cakmak, O., Ozturk, L. and Karanlik, S. (2001) Tolerance of 65 Durum Wheat Genotypes Tozinc Deficiency in a Calcareous Soil. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 24, 1831-1847. http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/PLN-100107315
[9]	Chaab, A., Savaghebi, G.R. and Motesharezadeh, B. (2011) Differences in the Zinc Efficiency among and within Maize Cultivars in a Calcareous Soil. Asian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 3, 26-31.
[10]	CIMMYT (1988) From Agronomic Data to Farmer Recommendations: An Economic Training Manual. Completely Revised Edition, Mexico D.F.
[11]	Cisse, L. and Amar, B. (2000) The Importance of Phosphatic Fertilizer for Increased Crop Production in Developing Countries. Proceedings of the AFA 6th International Annual Conference, Cairo, 31 January-2 February 2000, 1-7.
[12]	Davies, B.E. (1997) Deficiencies and Toxicities of Trace Elements and Micronutrients in Tropical Soils: Limitations of Knowledge and Future Research Needs. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 16, 75-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620160108
[13]	Erenoglu, B., Nikolic, M., Römhold, V. and Cakmak, I. (2002) Uptake and Transport of Foliar Applied Zinc (65Zn) in Bread and Durum Wheat Cultivars Differing in Zinc Efficiency. Plant Soil, 241, 251-257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1016148925918
[14]	George, R. and Schmitt, M. (2002) Zinc for Crop Production. Regents of the University of Minnesota.
[15]	Grzebisz, W., Wrońska, M., Diatta, J.B. and Dullin, P. (2008) Effect of Zinc Foliar Application at Early Stages of Maize Growth on Patterns of Nutrients and Dry Matter Accumulation by the Canopy. Part I. Zinc Uptake Patterns and Its Redistribution among Maize Organs. Journal of Elementology, 13, 17-28.
[16]	Hoffland, E., Wei, C. and Wissuwa, M. (2006) Organic Anion Exudation by Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) at Zinc and Phosphorus Deficiency. Plant and Soil, 283, 155-162. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-3937-1
[17]	Hosseini, S.M., Maftoun, M., Karimian, N., Rounaghi, A. and Emam, Y. (2007) Effect of Zinc and Boron Interaction on Plant Growth and Tissue Nutrient Concentration of Corn. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 30, 773-781. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01904160701289974
[18]	Hunt, R. (1978) Plant Growth Analysis. Edward Arnold, London, 26-38.
[19]	Johnson, S.E., Lauren, J.G., Welch, R.M. and Duxbury, J.M. (2005) A Comparison of the Effects of Micronutrient Seed Priming and Soil Fertilization On the Mineral Nutrition of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Lentil (Lens culinaris), Rice (Oryza sativa) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Nepal. Experimental Agriculture, 41, 427-448. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0014479705002851
[20]	Kassab, O.M. (2005) Soil Moisture Stress and Micronutrients Foliar Application Effects on the Growth and Yield of Mungbean Plants. Journal of Agricultural Science, 30, 247-256.
[21]	Khan, H.R., McDonald, G.K. and Rengel, Z. (2004) Zinc Fertilization and Water Stress Affects Plant Water Relations, Stomatal Conductance and Osmotic Adjustment in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Plant and Soil, 267, 271-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-0120-7
[22]	Lauer, J. (2006) What Happen within the Corn Plant When Drought Occurs? Wisconsin Crop Management Conference, 10, 225-228.
[23]	Malakouti, M.J. (2008) The Effect of Micronutrients in Ensuring Efficient Use of Macronutrients. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 32, 215-220.
[24]	Marschner, H. (1995) Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plant. 2nd Edition, Academic Press, New York, 890.
[25]	Maqsood, M.A., Rahmatullah, Kanwal, S., Aziz, T. and Ashraf, M. (2009) Evaluation of Zn Distribution among Grain and Straw of Twelve Indigenous Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 41, 225-231.
[26]	Mortvedt, J.J., Cox, F.R., Shuman, L.M. and Welch, R.M. (1991) Micronutrients in Agriculture. 2nd Edition, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Soil Science Society of America Book Series No. 4.
[27]	Tariq, M., Khan, M.A. and Perveen, S. (2002) Response of Maize to Applied Soil Zinc. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 1, 476-477. http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ajps.2002.476.477
[28]	Obata, H., Kawamura, S., Senoo, K. and Tanaka, A. (1999) Changes in the Level of Protein and Activity of Cu/ZnSuperoxide Dismutase in Zinc Deficient Rice Plant, Oryza sativa L. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 45, 891-896. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00380768.1999.10414338
[29]	Potarzycki, J. and Grzebisz, W. (2009) Effect of Zinc Foliar Application on Grain Yield of Maize and Its Yielding Components. Plant Soil and Environment, 55, 519-527.
[30]	Phonde, D.B., Nerkar, Y.S., Zenda, N.A., Chavan, R.V. and Tiwari, K.N. (2005) Most Profitable Sugarcane Production in Maharashtra. Better Crops, 89, 21-23.
[31]	Rashid, A. and Ryan, J. (2004) Micronutrient Constraints to Crop Production in Soils with Mediterranean-Type Characteristics: A Review. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 27, 959-975. http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/PLN-120037530
[32]	Savithri, P., Perumal, R. and Nagarajan, R. (1999) Soil and Crop Management Technologies for Enhancing Rice Production under Micronutrient Constraints. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 53, 83-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009753729599
[33]	Shukla, U.C. and Raj, H. (1987) Influence of Genotypical Variability on Zinc Response in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Plant and Soil, 104, 151-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02370638
[34]	Steel, R.G.D., Torrie, J.H. and Dicky, D.A. (1997) Principles and Procedures of Statistics, a Biological Approach. 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, Inc. Book Co., New York, 352-358.