Productivity of maize by leaf application of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu)

Abstract

The frequent use of the similar formulated fertilizers has reduced the supply of micronutrients to the crops. The application of micronutrients through leaf has increased the crops productivity. In this context, this study aimed to assess the effects of copper and zinc micronutrient applications in biometric variables and grain yield of maize crop. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Center of Copacol, using copper phosphite and zinc phosphite, using treatment (1) 100 g.ha-1 of copper, treatment (2) 500 g.ha-1 of zinc, treatment (3) 100 g.ha-1 of copper + 500 g.ha-1 of zinc and the treatment (4) witness (control). The treatments were applied at V6 phenological stage of maize with costal pump. The experimental design was randomized blocks with six repetitions. The variables measured were: number of plants per plot, number of spikes per plot, number of rows per spikes, number of grains per row and number of grains per spike, thousand grains weight and productivity of grains. For thousand-grain weight, there was higher effect of micronutrient treatments, compared to the control. For number of grains per row, there was no significant effect. However, application of single Zn showed better effects than Zn+Cu. In conclusion, application of Zn via leaf increased productivity. The Zn increased productivity of maize even when used in the soil with high Zn content.