Zinc fortification and legume incorporation in forage based cropping systems: Implications for yield and nutrient dynamics
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Date
2024-12
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Triveni Enterprises
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the synergistic effects of legume intercropping and zinc fortification on forage yield, and plant and soil nutrient dynamics. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design. Treatment combinations included five cropping systems, i.e., sole maize, sole cowpea, sole soybean, maize + cowpea (2:1), maize + soybean (2:1) and three zinc levels; Zn = control or no zinc application, Zn = 20 kg0 1 -1 -1 ZnSO ha (basal soil application) and Zn = 20 kg ZnSO ha (basal soil application) + 0.5% ZnSO sprayed twice (30 DAS and 50 DAS).4 2 4 4 -1 Results: Sole maize recorded highest dry matter (11938 kg ha )yield. Soil + foliar zinc application (Zn ) recorded an increase of 37.93 % increase in dry2 matter yield over control (Zn ). Maize + legumes recorded higher nitrogen uptake. There was an overall increase (122.34%) in zinc uptake from Zn to0 0 Zn . Soil + foliar applied Zn increased ZnUE by 27.60 % (619.14 kg) over soil applied Zn (485.19 kg). Zn application increased Zn values of soil to 0.502 ppm with soil application and 0.56 ppm with soil + foliar application from the initial value of 0.36 ppm. Interpretation: Intercropping of legumes and application of 20 kg ZnSO as basal soil application plus two foliar applications of 0.5% ZnSO at 30 and 504 4 days after sowing significantly increased forage yield, nutrient uptake and enhanced soil zinc levels.
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Keywords
Cropping systems, Intercropping, Legumes, Nutrient dynamics, Yield, Zn fortification
Citation
Mir N.H., Alie B.A., Ahmad S., Bhat S.S., Atufa R. . Zinc fortification and legume incorporation in forage based cropping systems: Implications for yield and nutrient dynamics. Journal of Environmental Biology. 2024 Dec; 45(6): 780-787