Effect of the Application of Nitrogen, Zinc and Boron on Micro-Nutrients Concentration and Uptake in Grain and Straw of Wheat in a Silty Clay Loam Soil of Mid Hills

Sixteen treatment combinations consisting of four levels of N (0, 50,100 and150 per cent of recommended dose), two levels of Zn (0 and 10 kg ha-1) and two levels of B (0 and 1 kg ha-1) were evaluated in a silty clay loam soil at Palampur, that was medium in organic carbon, low in available N, medium in available P and K, adequate in DTPA extractable Fe, Mn and Cu, marginally adequate in DTPA Zn and insufficient in hot water soluble B. In general, application of nitrogen increased the concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and B in wheat grains and straw. In grain, Mn, and Cu concentration increased upto 150% of recommended N; Zn and Fe upto 100% N and B upto 50% N. In straw, Fe and Cu concentration increased upto 150% N; Mn upto 100% N; and Zn and B upto 50% N. In grain, application of Zn @ 10 kg ha-1 resulted in increased Zn and B concentration and decreased Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations. In straw, Zn concentration increased while Fe, Mn and Cu concentration decreased with the addition of Zn. Boron @ 1 kg ha-1 significantly increased Zn and B concentration in grains and Zn, Fe, Cu and B concentration in straw over no boron application. In general, there was consistent increase in uptake of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B in wheat grain and straw and thereby of total with application of nitrogen. Application of Zn @ 10 kg ha-1 resulted in increased Zn and B uptake by grain and straw of wheat. Boron @ 1 kg ha-1 significantly increased Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and B uptake by grains and straw. Grain yield of wheat increased with increase in dose of N upto 150 per cent of recommended. Application of 10 kg Zn ha-1 increased grain yield by 9.7 per cent. Similarly, boron application @ 1 kg ha-1 increased grain yield by 8.1 per cent.