Effect of zinc sulphate as soil application and seed treatment on green gram (Vigna radiata L.)

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of zinc sulphate as soil application and seed treatment on green gram. The trial was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during spring 2012. Treatments were comprised of absolute control, RDF (recommended dose of fertilizer), RDF + ZnSO₄ soil application at the rate of 10, 15, 20, 25 kg ha^-1 and RDF + ZnSO₄ seed treatment at the rate of 2, 4, 6, 8 g kg^-1 of seed. The experiment was layed out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) having a net plot area of 5 m × 1.8 m with three replications. Crop variety NIAB-Mung 2006 was used as test crop. The crop was sown in 30 cm apart rows while plant to plant distance was maintained at 10 cm. Recommended dosage of fertilizer was applied at the rate of 23-58-30 NPK kg ha^-1. Whole of the phosphorus and potassium were applied at sowing while nitrogen was applied in two splits i.e.1/2 at sowing time and 1/2 at flowering. Data on yield and quality attributes was recorded by using standard procedures and analyzed statistically utilizing Fisher's analysis of variance technique and least significant difference test (LSD) was used to compare differences among treatments' means at 0.05 probability level. Results showed that significantly the maximum number of pods bearing branches per plant (9.07), number of nodules per plant (14.00), number of seeds per pod (10.33), 1000 seed- weight (46.37 g), seed yield (1208.7 kg ha^-1), biological yield (5738.0 kg ha^-1) and harvest index (18.20 %) were obtained where 20 kg ha^-1 zinc sulphate was applied as soil application. Significantly the maximum plant height (55.13 cm) was obtained in that treatment where 15 kg ha^-1 zinc sulphate was applied in the soil. Significantly the maximum protein contents (21.75 %) were obtained when 10 kg ha^-1 zinc sulphate was applied in soil. It was concluded from experiment that better green gram yield was harvested with more net return when zinc sulphate was applied in soil at the rate of 20 kg ha^-1.