2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 11

author(s)
Patel Krushiv, Leva RL, Patel HK, Hitesh Genan, Mihir B Modh, Arjun Bhavsar and Savankumar P Patel

abstract
The research investigates the impact of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) agronomic fortification of Zn and Fe content and uptake in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), grown during the summer season of 2022 at the College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. The study employed a randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications, including soil and foliar applications of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ alongside a recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). The soils of experimental plot was clayey in texture. Significant improvements in Zn and Fe content and uptake were observed in response to the treatments. The application of 5 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ (soil) + 0.5% ZnSO₄ foliar spray (T5) yielded the highest Zn content in grain (29.48 mg kg⁻¹) and straw (22.27 mg kg⁻¹). Conversely, 5 kg FeSO₄ ha⁻¹ (soil) + 0.5% FeSO₄ foliar spray (T6) recorded the highest Fe content in grain (53.29 mg kg⁻¹) and straw (114.97 mg kg⁻¹). The combined foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO₄ and 0.5% FeSO₄ at 30 and 45 DAS (T9) achieved the maximum Zn uptake by grain (99.90 g ha⁻¹) and straw (107.66 g ha⁻¹). These results highlight the efficacy of targeted micronutrient fortification strategies in enhancing sorghum productivity and nutritional quality, offering a sustainable solution to address Zn and Fe deficiencies in crop production and human health.