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P. V. Mehta ¹, V. P. Ramani ¹, K. P. Patel ¹, Y. C. Lakum ¹

Affiliations
1 Micronutrient Project (ICAR), Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

Importance of Zn in plant and crop production is well known. Role of Zn in animal and human health as mineral is also reported by several scientists. Simultaneously, deficiency of Zn is widely recognized in soils of India. Micronutrients are applied in the form of soil application, foliar spray or pre sowing seed treatment. Application of micronutrients through seed treatment nourishes crops at the critical early stages and helps in improving crop growth and is cheaper than foliar/soil application. Other seed treatments like biofertilizer, insecticide and fungicide are also being exploited by the farmers. All these seed treatments have their individual application methods and positive impact on higher and quality produce. There is a need to develop technology which includes all such seed treatments viz., nutrient supply, biofertilizer, insecticide, fungicide etc. in order to get multiple benefits economically. Gujarat Maize-6 variety was selected as the test crop. Seed treatment material included were zinc, bio-fertilizer (Azospirillum brasilense ABA-1 and Bacillus coagulense PGA -1), insecticide (Imidacloprid) and fungicide (Thiram). Pot study was carried out and maize was grown up to 60 days and dry matter yields were recorded. The treatment consisting of Zn, insecticide and biofertilizers (Azospirillum and PSB) as seed treatment gave consistent results in increasing shoot yield and was found significantly highest over control. It was at par with the treatment combination of biofertilizers (Azospirillum and PSB) as seed treatment and Zn through soil application. The results revealed that the combined application of Zn, biofertilizers and pesticides is possible to increase yield due to early nourishment through Zn and biofertilizers as well as insecticides. Thus, zinc application as seed treatment in combination with conventional seed treatments i.e. biofertilizer, insecticide and fungicide was found feasible. Among the different seed treatment combinations, Zn was found more compatible with biofertilizer and insecticide rather than fungicide. The Zn application as seed treatment found equally efficient to Zn supplementation through soil application in increasing growth and dry matter yield of maize, was economical besides reduction in chemical load.

Keywords

Zinc, Insecticides, Biofertilizers, Fungicides, Seed Treatment, Soil Application.

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Y. C. Lakum ¹, S. H. Patel ², P. V. Mehta ¹

Affiliations
1 Micronutrient Project (ICAR), Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), IN
2 Agricultural Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Derol, Panchamahal (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in summer season during 2008 at Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The soil was loamy sand in texture, low in organic carbon and available N, while medium in available P and high in available K. The treatment T₇ (Azospirillum+75% RDF+10 t ha^-1) recorded significantly higher plant height (171.41 cm). Similarly the total (6.48 plant^-1) and effective tillers (4.43 plant^-1) as well as length of earhead (22.25 cm) recorded significantly higher under the same treatment. The highest grain (4584 kg ha^-1) and straw (10084 kg ha^-1) yields were significantly registered under treatment T₇. Similar to yield, the significantly highest N and P uptake by grain (76.81, 28.9 kg ha^-1, respectively) and N uptake by straw (34.09 kg ha^-1) of pearl millet was observed under T₇ while it was true under T₂ in case of P uptake (29.67 kg ha^-1) by pearl millet straw. The highest net realization (Rs. 23885) was noticed due to 75% RDF+10t FYM ha^-1 including Azospirillum as bio-fertilizer application compared to net income of Rs. 21174 under fertilizer application at 100% RDF+10t FYM ha^-1. It is indicating more benefit besides reduction of chemical load i.e. 30 kg N and 15 kg P ha^-1 with the inclusion of bio-fertilizer.

Keywords

Pearl Millet, Bio-Fertilizer, FYM.

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