Long-term effect of high phosphorus doses on zinc status of maize on a non-calcareous loamy soil

Abstract

The long-term effect of 87.3 kg/ha P on the yield elements and nutrient content of maize was studied at the National Long-Term Fertilization Experiment of the Karcag Research Institute in Hungary. The soil of the experiment site is non-calcareous Luvic Phaeosem, and its soluble phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) content in 0–20 cm soil layer are: ammonium lactate P: 141.1 mg/kg and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) Zn: 0.85 mg/kg, respectively. The effect of foliar Zn fertilization was studied at three levels of nitrogen (150, 200 and 250 kg/ha) and under 87.3 kg/ha P and 82.6 kg/ha K application in four replications. The applied Zn amount was 700 g/ha. We measured the grain yield and the thousand-kernel weight. Leaf and grain samples were analyzed for phosphorus, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese content. Foliar Zn application did not increase the yield significantly, but it enhanced the thousand-kernel weight. The element content did not change significantly – neither in leaves nor in kernels. Under the examined habitat circumstances even the long-term application of 87.3 kg/ha P dosage did not cause Zn deficiency to such an extent which would lead to significant yield depression of maize.