To investigate the impact of zinc on the growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) cultivated in zinc-deficient soil

During the Kharif season of 2024-2025, a field experiment was done at the research farm of the Department of Soil Science at the College of Agriculture in Latur. The experiment looked at the "Effect of zinc application on yield, nutrient uptake and quality of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) grown on zinc-deficient soil." The experiment utilized a randomized block design with three replications and eight treatments featuring the green gram variety BM-2003-2.

In summary, the results showed that the growth and yield of green gram were significantly affected by the application of zinc along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF). The treatment involving RDF combined with S.A. Grade-I micronutrient at 25 kg ha⁻¹ and F.A. Grade-II micronutrient at 0.5% applied at 25 and 40 days after sowing (T8) led to a notable improvement in growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area, and number of nodules per plant. These growth improvements were similar to those observed in treatments T5 (RDF + S.A. of ZnSO₄ at 25 kg ha⁻¹ + F.A. of ZnSO₄ at 0.5% applied at 25 and 40 DAS) and T3 (RDF + S.A. of ZnSO₄ at 25 kg ha⁻¹).

The application of RDF combined with S.A. Grade-I micronutrient at 25 kg ha⁻¹ and F.A. Grade-II micronutrient at 0.5% applied at 25 and 40 days after sowing (T8) led to a significantly higher number of pods per plant, grains per pod, seed yield per plot, seed yield per hectare, straw yield per plot and straw yield per hectare. These results were also comparable to those observed in treatments T5 (RDF + S.A. of ZnSO₄ at 25 kg ha⁻¹ + F.A. of ZnSO₄ at 0.5% applied at 25 and 40 DAS) and T3 (RDF + S.A. of ZnSO₄ at 25 kg ha⁻¹).