Fortification of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) with zinc for enhancing fodder quality, nutrient uptake and economics

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of fodder maize to zinc application during Kharif 2022 at College of Agriculture, V. C. Farm, Mandya. The experiment was conducted in Randomized complete Block Design with nine treatments replicated thrice. Treatment combinations include varied levels of soil application (5.0, 7.5, 10.0 kg/ha ZnSO₄) and foliar application of zinc (0.3%) at 25 and 45 DAS, which were compared with recommended dose of fertilizer alone. Significantly higher crude protein yield (9.25 q/ha), crude fibre yield (26.42 q/ha) and nutrient uptake (147.91 kg/ha of N, 17.32 kg/ha of P, 102.60 kg/ha of K and 405.29 g/ha of zinc) were found with the application of RDF + ZnSO₄ @ 10.0 kg ha^-1 as soil application + foliar application of zinc @ 0.3% at 45 days after sowing. Among the all treatments higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio (Rs. 106536/ha, Rs. 67219/ha and 2.71, respectively) was observed with the application of RDF + ZnSO₄ @ 10.0 kg/ha as soil application + foliar application of zinc @ 0.3% at 45 DAS.