Effect of nano zinc on yield and nutrient uptake by rice in a Vertisol

A field study was conducted during kharif 2021 at IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh to study the effect of nano zinc on yield and nutrient uptake by rice (variety-Rajeshwari) in a Vertisol. The experiment was comprised with eight treatments with three replications in Randomized Block Design. The results showed that number of effective tillers per hill (8.50), numbers of grains per panicle (166.70), grain (70.68q ha^-1) and straw (86.67q ha^-1) yield were recorded significantly higher under the treatment T₈; T₁+ Root dipping with 0.2% of nano zinc + Two foliar spray of nano zinc @ 2 ml / litre of water at maximum tillering and before flowering. The total nutrients uptake N (121.88 kg ha^-1), P (24.92kg ha^-1), K(169.25 kg ha^-1) and Zn (301.51 g ha^-1) were also recorded higher under treatment T₈; T₁+ Root dipping with 0.2% of Nano zinc + Two foliar spray of nano zinc @ 2 ml / litre of water at maximum tillering and before flowering. Gross return and net return were found maximum in foliar spray of nano zinc while benefit cost ratio was observed maximum in foliar spray of bulky zinc (ZnSO₄.H₂O).