Zinc Application Methods Affect its Accumulation and Allocation Pattern in Maize Grown in Solution Culture

Abstract

To cite this paper: Rasheed, N., M.A. Maqsood, T. Aziz, M.Z.U. Rehman, H.M. Bilal, M.A. Ayub, M. Irfan and M. Sanaullah, 2019. Zinc application methods affect its accumulation and allocation pattern in maize grown in solution culture. Abstract Zinc (Zn) availability to plants is hampered seriously due to its immobile nature and adverse soil conditions. Nutrient management is one of the promising strategies adopted to enrich Zn in edible plant parts. Therefore, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to study Zn accumulation and allocation pattern in two maize genotypes [hybrid (Syngenta 8441) and conventional variety (Pak-Afgoi)] in response to root and foliage application of two Zn fertilizers viz., ZnSO 4 and Zn-EDTA. Treatments comprises; control (No Zn), solution applied ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O @ 2 µM Zn, foliar applied ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O @ 0.5%, solution applied Zn-EDTA @ 2 µM Zn and foliar applied Zn-EDTA @ 0.5%. Results revealed that Zn treatments significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced growth rate, dry matter production and Zn accumulation in various plant parts but at variable rate. Maize hybrid (Syngenta-8441) observed more plant height, root length, root and shoot dry matter, and accumulated more Zn as compared with open pollinated variety Pak-Afgoi. This illustrated better acquisition and utilization efficiency of hybrid genotype. Moreover, all plant attributes were enhanced linearly with subsequently increase in amount of fertilization due to more availability of Zn especially in chelated form (EDTA). Among Zn treatments, solution application was more effective in plant growth and Zn enrichment than foliar application while Zn-EDTA showed better results than ZnSO 4. At early plant growth stage, Zn concentration in older leaves was higher but at later stage Zn concentration in young leaves was comparatively more than older leaves. On an average, Zn concentration in roots was higher followed by older leaves, young leaves and stem in both genotypes. Results suggested that differential response for plant growth, dry matter production and Zn accumulation depends on genotypic variation, Zn sources and application methods. The results depicted that the maize hybrid (Syngenta 8441) had better potential of Zn accumulation and allocation to different plant parts and the application method of Zn to the solution was found to best than the foliar application. However, further verification of results with field conditions is warranted keeping in view the soil characteristics to formulate concrete recommendations.