APPLICATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS FOR YIELD ENHANCEMENT IN RICE

Jamila Qadir; Inayat Ullah Awan; Imam Bakhsh

Jamila Qadir Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan
Inayat Ullah Awan Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan
Imam Bakhsh Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan

Keywords: Rice, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Trace Elements, Pakistan

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, in 2009, to determine the effect of micronutrients viz. zinc, boron and iron on growth and yield of rice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results revealed that the maximum number of tillers per square meter, spikelets per panicle and paddy yield was obtained with combined use of zinc and boron. Whereas, the highest 1000-grain weight was recorded where all three micronutrients (zinc, boron and iron) were applied in combination. The maximum normal kernel percentage was recorded where zinc was applied along with iron while the maximum number of panicles per square meter was recorded with sole iron application. Based on results obtained, it is recommended to use boron alone or combined it with zinc for obtaining higher yield of rice.