Response of Direct Seeded Rice to Iron and Zinc Fertilization Strategies under Middle Gujarat Conditions

Abstract

Direct seeded rice (DSR) cultivation has received considerable attention due to its economic and labor-saving benefits. However, inadequate nutrient availability, particularly micronutrients, remains a significant constraint in achieving optimal crop growth and yield in direct seeded rice system. This research paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of iron and zinc fertilization on yield, productivity and nutritional quality of direct seeded rice. This experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm, Regional Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, during kharif season of the year 2022 with twelve treatments of iron and zinc fertilization strategies viz. nutripriming, foliar application and soil drenching which were replicated thrice in randomized block design (RBD). In the treatments of nutripriming, seed were soaked in 0.5% solutions of iron sulphate and zinc sulphate individually and also in combination for 12 hrs. In other treatments, solutions of 0.5% concentration of iron sulphate and zinc sulphate were applied through foliar application at 30 and 50 DAS and soil drenching. Soil drenching was done by adding nutrient solutions (0.5% of iron sulphate and zinc sulphate each) directly on the rice sown lines of the plots. Findings demonstrate that targeted application of micronutrients (Fe and Zn) significantly enhanced the DSR performance in form of growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and nutrient content of grain and straw. Among all the treatments, (T5) nutripriming of direct seeded rice with 0.5% iron sulphate plus 0.5% zinc sulphate for 12 hours before sowing along with recommended dose of fertilizers has been found best in terms of plant height, panicles per m2, yield and Fe and Zn content in seed and straw of rice.