THE EFFECTS OF ZINC FERTILIZATION ON ZINC, IRON, COPPER, MANGANESE AND CHLOROPHYLL CONTENTS OF MAIZE

Abstract

Maize plants (Hybrit G-5050) were grown in soil containing available zinc content 0.2 µg Zn/g. Zinc were applied in the amounts of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 µg Zn/g levels as ZnSO4 7H2 O, under greenhouse conditions. Dry weight of maize increased by the application of increasing amounts of zinc. Maize plant's dry weight increased from 8.94 g/pot at the Zn0 level to 13.64 g/pot at the Zn1 level, to 14.96 g/pot at the Zn2 level and to 14.21 g/pot at the Zn3 level showing a 52.6 %, 67.3 %, 58.9 % respectively. Zinc deficiency symptoms were appeared at the maize plants growing in the control pots. The zinc contents of experimental plant increased by the application of increasing amounts of zinc. As compared to the control, zinc contents increased in 275 %, 356 %, and 638 % of the experimental soils by the application of zinc, respectively. The iron, copper and manganese contents of maize plant decreased whereas the chlorophyll contents increased in accordance with the increased amount of zinc applications