Long-Term Zinc Fertilization in Calcareous Soils Improves Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Productivity and Soil Zinc Status in the Rice–Wheat Cropping System

Abstract

Rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is considered as the furthermost vital system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South-Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Recently, the deficiency of micronutrients like zinc (Zn) has emerged as one of the prime limitations for the sustainability issues of this RWCS in Zn deficient calcareous soils, particularly in India, as a result of the calcareous typic ustifluvents taxonomic nature of the soils. Therefore, a new Zn fertilization approach for soils is very much needed in the intensive RWCS. Thus, a six-year-long investigation was designed with three different modes of Zn application, viz., the application of Zn only in the first year of study, application in alternative years, and application in every year. Four different rates of Zn applications in a hectare of area for a single year, viz., 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 kg ha−1 year−1, and times of Zn application, viz., only at first year, alternative years, and in each year. The major aims of the study were to determine Zn concentration in soil; yield; and Zn accumulation by wheat crop under different application methods of Zn. From this study, it was found that a large portion of the applied Zn was present in the residual fraction, and it was also revealed that increasing the frequency of Zn application resulted in the increment in the crystalline fraction. Significant correlation of water-soluble and exchangeable Zn (WS+EX-Zn), complexed Zn (COM-Zn), amorphous Zn (AMO-Zn), organic Zn (ORG-Zn), total Zn (TOT-Zn), grain yield, and grain Zn uptake by wheat indicated that these Zn fractions were dominant forms in the soil to be utilized by plants under rice–wheat rotation. Concerning yield and Zn uptake by wheat, it was noted that the Zn application at 10 kg ha−1 in alternate years was the best Zn application method, while application of Zn at 7.5 kg ha−1 in each year also resulted in comparable yield.

Soil type and fertilizer rate affect wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, quality and nutrient use efficiency in Ayiba, northern Ethiopia

“…Straw yields of Tef were also reported significantly increased due to the application of NPSB on Vertisols of Hatsebo, central Tigray ( Tewolde, Gebreyohannes & Abrha, 2020 ), and application of K in Vertisols of central highland Ethiopia ( Demïss et al, 2020 ). The current finding by Lakshmi et al (2021) revealed a significantly higher SY where wheat was treated with 10 kg Zn ha −1 in calcareous soil. Application of Sulfur on Vertisol and Cambisol soil types reported improving straw yield in central highland Ethiopia ( Assefa, Shewangizaw & Kassie, 2020 ).…”

“…Sulfur is also an essential component of amino acids (like cysteine and methionine) crucial to protein formation and improves cereal crops’ milling and baking quality ( Clarkson & Hanson, 1980 ). Zinc is also engaged in more than 300 enzymes for protein and carbohydrate metabolism with a significant constitute for human immunity enhancement ( Lakshmi et al, 2021 ). Studies conducted so far to analyze the effect of N fertilizer on grain quality traits have also revealed significant increases in total GPC of rice, wheat, maize, and barley under an increased rate of N application ( Carson & Edwards, 2009 ; Chandel et al, 2010 ; Nishizawa, 2005 ).…”

Development and testing of zinc sulfate and zinc oxide nanoparticle-coated urea fertilizer to improve N and Zn use efficiency

“…Zn deficiency is particularly prevalent in the areas where the soils are saturated with lime ( Genc et al., 2006 ). The calcareous, high phosphorus, and high organic matter content of soils reduces the amount of Zn available to crops ( Brennan and Bolland, 2006 ; Lakshmi et al., 2021 ). Therefore, the grain produced is Zn deficient, which in turn causes Zn deficiency in animals and humans consuming it.…”

Development of Biodegradable PLA/PBAT-Based Filaments for Fertilizer Release for Agricultural Applications

“…For example, China and India rank second and third in urea consumption, respectively. However, this high demand comes at a cost, due to the unregulated application of these types of fertilizers, nutrient loss can occur, as indicated by Singh et al (2021), where India had a negative balance of approximately 8 to 10 MT year −1 , and the situation is expected to worsen, reaching 15 MT year −1 [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Furthermore, traditional NPK-type fertilizers have significant polluting potential, resulting from volatilization losses which generate atmospheric pollution and leaching of oxidized nutrients, which in turn contaminate aquifers.…”