The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of foliar zinc application in the form of zinc hydroxy nitrate suspensions on maize grain yield and quality and on zinc distribution in the plant organs. The preparation of the zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2·2H2O) was performed by pouring a NaOH solution into Zn(NO3)2·6H2O under vigorous stirring. All samples were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry to determine their content, morphology and physicochemical properties. The field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, Agricultural University, Bulgaria, via a randomized block design with eight variants in 3 replications. A significant (p < 0.05) effect on Zn accumulation in the maize stems and leaves by foliar zinc application during the first growth stage was found. The accumulation of zinc was followed by its remobilization from the stems to other plant organs during the second growth stage. It was concluded that the synthesized zinc hydroxy nitrate has potential as a long-term foliar fertilizer. Ensuring the optimal concentration of Zn at different times during the vegetative period lead to a substantial increase in the grain yield along with an improvement in the quality of the corn grain for all variants compared to those of the control.
Highlights - The application of foliar fertilisers is extremely suitable as the possibility of much faster zinc absorption than from the soil. - Zn-fertilisation of maize plants during the initial growth stages plays a decisive role in the formation of the reproductive organs of maize. - Foliar zinc fertilisers can entirely recover the physiological performance of plants grown under conditions of zinc deficiency.
Maize is one of the most sensitive industrial crops of zinc supply. Questions about fertilisation methods and the type of fertilisers used are the subject of serious scientific discussion. The key objective of this paper was to evaluate the possibilities to recover the yielding potential of Zn-deficient young maize plants by application of nanosized Zn-containing foliar fertilisers. The agronomic response of Zn-deficient maize plants to foliar fertilisation with nanoscale zinc-containing foliar fertilisers was investigated. The study was conducted in two stages: (i) planting and growing the plants under controlled conditions in a zinc-deficient environment for three months and (ii) moving the plants and continuing the experiment in field conditions. A single spray with two nanosized zinc-containing foliar fertilisers was carried out. The physiological status of the plants and the dynamic of zinc and micro- and macroelements concentration in plant organs were monitored. The influence of foliar zinc fertilisation on yield and grain structural components has been determined. Our results indicated that zinc fertilisation throughout the initial growth stages plays a decisive role in the formation of the reproductive organs of maize plants. Foliar zinc fertilisers can entirely recover the physiological performance of plants grown under conditions of zinc deficiency.
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