Effect of Zinc and Boron application on Yield of Lentil and Nutrient Balance in the Soil under Indo-Gangetic Plain Zones

A field experiment was undertaken at Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur to study the response of lentil cultivars on yield and nutrient balance in the soil in relation to various levels of zinc and boron. Results revealed that lentil cultivar PL 639 produced significantly highest grain, straw and biological yield of lentil than the other cultivars of lentil. Grain, straw and biological yield of lentil was significantly increased with the application of 1 kg B/ha than control. Highest available nutrient viz., N, P, K, S, Zn and B in the soil showed increasing trend with lentil cultivar in sequence in DPL 62< K 75 < PL 406 < PL 639 after two consecutive crop season. The contents of available N, K, Zn and B in the soil showed increasing trend while available P and S showed decreasing trend with the increasing levels of zinc. Highest available N, P, K, S, Zn and B in the soil was restored more in 1 kg B/ha applied plot, however, minimum available N, P, K, S, Zn and B in the soil was obtained in control. Hence, application of zinc @ 8-10 kg and boron @ 1kg/ha is recommended for sustainable lentil production