Effect of Organic Manure and Zinc Fertilization on Zinc Transformation and Biofortification of Crops in Vertisols of Central India

Abstract

The studies are described to indicate biofortification of micronutrients into seed and their various fractions availability into soil. The primary application of biofortification is to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in developing country populations. Soil samples were analyzed for the DTPA (pH 7.3), extractable micronutrients were extracted by 0.005 M DTPA, 0.01 M CaCl2 and 0.1 M triethanol amine and determined on atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The total zinc was determined with hydrofluoric and perchloric acid by AAS. The objectives of experiment were to examine the effect of Zn biofortification and transformation under various organic and zinc fertilization for realizing maximum use efficiency in Vertisols. Among organic manures, sugarcane press mud recorded more yield, higher Zn concentration, fractions, uptake and their use efficiency than other. Application of Zinc @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest water soluble Zn, exchangeable Zn, complexed Zn, organic bond zinc, occluded Zn and residual zinc in rice and chickpea, respectively. Various fractions of zinc positively correlated with each other. However, Organic and zinc fertilization in rice offers a practical and useful approach to improve bioavailable Zn in rice and chickpea.