Sulfur, Boron, and Zinc Fertilization Effects on Grain and Straw Quality of Maize and Sorghum Grown in Semi-Arid Tropical Region of India

Abstract

Experiments were conducted on-farm during two seasons (2003-2004) to determine the effects of sulfur (S), boron (B), and zinc (Zn) fertilization on the grain and straw quality of sorghum and maize grown under rainfed conditions in the semi-arid zone of India. The farmers' fields were deficient in S, B, and Zn; in addition the soils were low in organic matter and extractable phosphorus (P), but adequate in extractable potassium (K). Results showed that the applications of S, B, and Zn (SBZn) with nitrogen (N) and P (SBZn + NP) significantly increased the grain N, S, and Zn concentrations in maize and sorghum compared to farmer inputs (FI) and SBZn treatments; the results relative to P and B composition of the grain of the crops were not consistent and did not show any definite trend. The application of SBZn + NP over FI generally increased N, S, and Zn concentration in sorghum and maize straw compared to FI and SBZn treatments. The straw composition of the crops relative to P and B did not show a consistent trend. The results of this study along with the results of our earlier research demonstrate that balanced nutrition of rainfed crops not only increases yields but also enhances N, S, and Zn contents in grain and straw of these crops.

Soil Testing as a Tool for On-Farm Fertility Management: Experience from the Semi-arid Zone of India

“…For example, in the on-farm experiments conducted to determine the effects of S, B and Zn fertilization on the grain and straw quality of sorghum and maize grown under rainfed conditions in the SAT region of India showed that the balanced mineral nutrition (BN) through combined application of S, B, Zn, N and P as compared to the FI (farmer's inputs) increased N, S and Zn concentrations in the grain and straw of these crops (Sahrawat et al 2008a). These results stress the importance of balanced mineral nutrition of crops for increased produce quality.…”

“…There is a relationship between soil health and food and feed quality which in turn impacts human and animal health. The importance of mineral nutrition of crops along with improved cultivars of crops and crop management cannot be overemphasized for producing nutritious food (Graham et al 2007;Parthasarathy Rao et al 2006;Sahrawat et al 2008a) and fodder (Kelly et al 1996;Sahrawat et al 2008a;Rattan et al 2009). …”

Nutritionally Enhanced Staple Food Crops

“…Similar studies with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) supply are under way in common bean (Blair et al 2009a). It is known that in situations with multiple nutrient deficiencies, balanced plant nutrition (combined application of all nutrients that are deficient in the soil) is a prerequisite for improving productivity and nutritional quality of seeds of cereals (Rego et al 2007;Sahrawat et al 2008;Pirzadah et al 2010). …”

How Fertile are Semi-Arid Tropical Soils?

“…Soil fertility is critical for enhancing productivity and crop and food quality 2,14 . Moreover, there is a direct connection between soil health and food quality, and in turn between food quality and human health via food chain 15 .…”