Effect of zinc-amended poultry manure and zinc sulphate on the growth and uptake of zinc by corn (Zea mays L.)

Summary A greenhouse experiment conducted to study the effect of different levels of Zn supplied through Zn-amended poultry manure and ZnSO₄ on corn (Zea mays L.) indicated that both the sources significantly increased the dry matter yield and uptake of zinc. The zinc amended poultry manure at all levels of zinc application was more effective than ZnSO₄ in this respect. The percent zinc in corn derived from the fertilizer and percent utilization of applied zinc from the Zn-amended poultry manure was higher than that from ZnSO₄ when applied at equivalent levels.     

Response of flooded rice grown on a vertisol from northern nigeria to zinc sources and methods of application

Summary Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to study the effect of zinc sources and methods of application on correcting zinc deficiency in flooded rice grown on Vertisol from Ngala, northern Nigeria, using the variety IR-20.Plant dry matter yield was similar for ZnSO₄, ZnEDTA, metallic Zn and fritted Zn with mixed soil application. Zinc uptake was affected in the following order; ZnSO₄ > ZnEDTA > metallic Zn > fritted Zn. Comparable dry matter yield and zinc uptake were obtained with mixing, surface broadcasting and banding of ZnEDTA. Mixing the fritted Zn gave higher dry matter yield and zinc uptake than broadcasting or banding.Seed soaking with a suspension of fritted Zn resulted in higher dry matter yield and zinc uptake than with ZnEDTA solution. Seed soaking for 24 hours with fritted Zn suspension at a concentration of about 0.5 per cent Zn appeared to be a suitable method for applying zinc with direct seeded rice.     

Zinc sources for rice in soil at different moisture regimes and organic matter levels

Summary Laboratory incubation experiment was conducted with a clay loam alluvial lowland rice soil to study the relative effectiveness of two sources of Zn (ZnEDTA and ZnSO₄) in maintaining Zn availability in soil under two moisture regimes (saturated and waterlogged) both in presence as well as absence of added organic matter. The results showed that ZnEDTA was always more effective than ZnSO₄ in maintaining higher amount of zinc in available form in soil for a longer perid. Results of greenhouse experiment conducted with rice showed that concentration and uptake of Zn by roots were generally higher with ZnEDTA than with ZnSO₄ both in presence and absence of added organic matter, whereas in respect of shoot this was true only in absence of added organic matter.     

Soil temperature and nitrogen effects on response of flooded and nonflooded rice to zinc

Summary Response of direct seeded rice (cv. Bluebelle) to Zn was studied in flooded and nonflooded (field capacity) Crowley soil (pH 7.6) maintained at soil temperatures of 18 and 30°C. Urea and (NH₄)₂SO₄ were compared as sources of N to determine their effect on plant uptake of Zn from ZnSO₄ either mixed or surface applied to the soil. Grain yields were slightly higher from nonflooded than from flooded soil. Higher dry matter production at 30 than at 18°C was not related to Zn nutrition. Urea and (NH₄)₂SO₄ resulted in similar yields and Zn uptake by flooded rice, but (NH₄)₂SO₄ was superior for nonflooded rice in the absence of applied Zn. More fixation of mixed Zn by the limed Crowley soil probably caused its lower effectiveness, as compared to surface-applied Zn.     

Effect of zinc and phosphorus on the grain yield of corn (Zea mays L.) grown on a calcareous soil

Summary In a field experiment, more than 22% increase in the grain yield of corn was obtained by the application of 50 kg ZnSO₄/ha. Grain yields were also increased by increasing the level of applied phosphorus. Positive relationship was obtained between Zn and P, the phosphorus treatment increased Zn uptake by grains and vice versa.     

Yield of submerged paddy and uptake of Zn,P and N as affected by liming and Zn fertilizers

The effects of CaCO₃, Zn sources and levels on the yield of submerged paddy and uptake of Zn, P and N to paddy were studied in green-house at Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar. Powdered CaCO₃ was mixed at 0,4 and 8 per cent and Zn was added at 0,5 and 10 ppm through ZnSO₄.7H₂O, ZnO and Zn EDTA separately. Dry weight at tillering and heading and grain and straw at maturity decreased significantly with 4 and 8 per cent CaCO₃ in comparison to the control. Increasing Zn application increased the dry weight and grain yield. Zn EDTA gave highest yield of paddy followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and ZnO.Increasing the application of CaCO₃ from 0–8 per cent decreased the concentration and uptake of Zn and increasing Zn application from 0–10 ppm increased concentration and uptake of Zn in paddy at tillering, heading and maturity. Zn EDTA gave the highest concentration and uptake of Zn followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and ZnO. There was interaction between Zn sources and CaCO₃.The concentration and uptake of N and P in paddy dry matter at tillering and heading and straw and grain at maturity decreased as compared to control with increasing CaCO₃ addition. The concentration and uptake of N increased and that of P decreased in paddy dry matter straw and grain with increasing Zn application. The highest concentration of N was observed with ZnO, followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and Zn EDTA. But highest uptake of N was observed with Zn EDTA followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and ZnO. As regards concentration and uptake of P, it was highest with ZnO followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and Zn EDTA.     

Kinetics of zinc release from ground tire rubber and rubber ash in a calcareous soil as alternatives to Zn fertilizers

Ground rubber contains 15?C20 g Zn kg^?1 but very low levels of Cd and could serve as an inexpensive byproduct Zn fertilizer. The aim of this investigation was to test Zn release in a soil treated with ground tire rubber and rubber ash compared with commercial Zn fertilizer and a laboratory grade zinc sulfate. A Zn-deficient soil was chosen from wheat fields in Isfahan province, central Iran, and the ground rubber, rubber ash and fertilizer-Zn and laboratory ZnSO₄ were added at 0.5 and 2 mg Zn kg^?1; 0.5 kg ha^?1 would usually correct Zn deficiency in such pot tests. The soil DTPA-extractable Zn was then measured with time and the results were described examining first order, Elovich, power function and parabolic diffusion kinetics models. In the pot experiment, corn (Zea mays L.) plants were exposed to three rates of Zn (0, 20, 40 mg Zn kg^?1) from two different sources (ZnSO₄ and ground rubber). Ground rubber was applied as 2?C3 mm and <1 mm diameter particles. Zinc treatments were mixed with the soils before planting. At harvest, concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in roots and shoots of corn were measured. Results showed that ground rubber and rubber ash significantly increased the concentration of DTPA-Zn in the soil and this increase was higher than achieved with the commercial Zn fertilizer. At the lower Zn application rate, Zn release followed parabolic diffusion, while at the higher rate the kinetics of release followed power function and Elovich models. There was an increase in Zn concentration of corn shoot and roots by adding of Zn regardless the source of applied Zn. With increase in the rate of rubber used, the shoot Zn uptake increased. The Pb concentration of shoot and Cd concentrations of shoot and roots were low (less than 0.02 mg kg^?1) in all treatments. The results showed that the soil DTPA Zn decreases over time if the soil is amended with a soluble form of Zn whereas the reverse was observed if the Zn is added as ground rubber which only gradually transforms. Thus ground rubber and rubber ash offer strong value as Zn fertilizer for Zn deficient soils.     

Efficiency of zinc fertilization for flooded rice

Summary Several Zn-deficient soils from the major rice growing areas in the USA were characterized with respect to extractable and labile Zn and other parameters including available P, pH, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine whether the above factors influence the response of several rice cultivars to ZnSO₄ or ZnEDTA applied as a mixed preplant treatment or to the floodwater at panicle initiation.Response of the rice to Zn varied widely among soils with labile Zn (L value) being a poor indicator of Zn availability and soil pH, and DTPA or 2 N MgCl₂ extraction of Zn being the most reliable indices. Soil incorporation prior to flooding was more effective than floodwater application for the initial crop, but both methods of placement were comparable for a subsequent ratoon crop. In either situation, ZnSO₄ was superior to ZnEDTA. Recovery of Zn from ZnSO₄ was generally less than 5 percent where Zn response was obtained and up to 14 percent from nonresponsive soils.     

Effect of zinc sources and levels on the growth and Zn nutrition of soybean (Glycine max. L.) in the presence of chloride and sulphate salinity

A study was conducted in a screen house in pots on a sandy loam soil deficient in Zn. Salinity was induced by adding 44, 88 and 132 me/l of chloride and sulphate salts in the saturation extract. To these treatments, 0, 5 and 10 ppm Zn were added as ZnSO₄·7H₂O or Zn-EDTA. The results indicated that the yield of soybean shoot was lowest at the highest salinity level and highest at the lowest level. Shoot yield improved markedly with Zn application. Both sources of Zn were equally effective in augmenting crop yields. Yields were low in Cl-salinity when compared with equivalent levels of SO₄-salinity. Application of ZnSO₄·7H₂O produced higher yields in SO₄-dominant salinity. Zinc content increased and Zn uptake decreased with increase in Cl-salinity regardless of Zn sources. In SO₄-salinity, ZnSO₄·7H₂O did not influence the Zn content, but uptake was suppressed with increase in SO₄-salinity. Increasing rates of SO₄-salinity enhanced Zn content in the presence of Zn-EDTA.     

Antioxidant properties of chromium and zinc

The effects of chromium (chromium picolinate, CrPic) and zinc (ZnSO₄H₂O) supplementation on serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) (an indicator of lipid peroxidation) and serum status of some antioxidant vitamins and minerals of laying hens (Hy-Line) reared at a low ambient temperature (6.8°C) were evaluated. One hundred twenty laying hens (Hy-Line; 32 wk old) were divided into 4 groups, 30 hens per group. The hens were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 0.4 mg Cr/kg of diet, 30 mg Zn/kg of diet, or 0.4 mg Cr plus 30 mg Zn/kg of diet. Digestibility of nutrients (dry matter [DM], organic matter [OM], crude protein [CP], and ether extract [EE]) increased by supplementation of chromium and zinc (p<0.05). Supplemental chromium and zinc increased serum vitamins C and E but decreased MDA concentrations (p<0.05). Additionally, supplemental chromium and zinc caused an increase in the serum concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cr (p < 0.05). The present study showed that low ambient temperature causes detrimental effects on the digestibility of nutrients and antioxidant status and that such detrimental effects caused by low ambient temperature can be alleviated by chromium and zinc supplementation, particularly when Cr and Zn were simultaneously included into the diet. Data obtained in the present study suggest that such supplementation can be considered as a protective management practice in a diet of laying hens for alleviating negative effects of cold stress.     

Effect of gypsum,pressmud, fulvic acid and zinc sources on yield and zinc uptake by rice crop in a saline-sodic soil

Summary The application of fulvic acid to a saline-sodic soil augmented the solubility of zinc by thousands fold. Zinc fulvate when applied at levels equivalent to that of zinc sulphate was more effective in enhancing diffusion of zinc in the soil. Application of gypsum, zinc sulphate and fulvic acid significantly increased dry matter yield and uptake of zinc by rice crop in a saline-sodic soil. Application of gypsum with pressmud or with fulvic acid and zinc sulphate resulted in significantly higher yield and zinc uptake than in other treatments.     

Effect of organic zinc supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization and mineral profile in lambs

To study the efficacy of organic zinc (Zn) supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization and mineral profile as compared to inorganic source [zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄)], 18 Muzaffarnagari male lambs of 11.30 ± 0.45 kg mean body weight (4–5 months of age) were divided into three groups of six animals in each in a randomized block design. Lambs in the control group were fed a standard total mixed ration (TMR) consisted of 60 kg/100 kg of concentrate mixture (CM) and 40 kg/100 kg of wheat straw. CM was consisted of 300 g/kg crushed maize grain, 270 g/kg soybean meal, 400 g/kg wheat bran, 20 g/kg mineral mixture (without Zn) and 10 g/kg common salt. Animals in the experimental groups were additionally supplemented with 20 mg Zn/kg of diet either through inorganic (ZnSO₄) or organic [Zn-methionine AA complex (Zn-meth)] sources. Experimental feeding was done for a period of 150 days including a 6 days metabolism trial. The intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), digestible CP and total digestible nutrients and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and hemicellulose were comparable (P>0.05) among the three groups. However, digestibility of cellulose and acid detergent fibre was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Zn-meth group as compared to control group. Though the balance of calcium was adversely affected (P<0.01) in both the Zn supplemented groups, but it was significantly higher in Zn-meth group compared to ZnSO₄ group. While apparent absorption and retention of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, iron and manganese were similar (P>0.05) among different groups, retention of Zn (P<0.05) as well as its concentration in the serum (P<0.01) were highest in Zn-meth group, followed by ZnSO₄ group and lowest in the control group, suggesting higher bioavailability of Zn from Zn-meth as compared to ZnSO₄. Average daily gain of the lambs and feed conversion efficiency were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in Zn-meth group as compared to control and ZnSO₄ groups, suggesting a positive role of organic zinc supplementation on the performance of lambs.     

Bacterial inoculation speeds zinc release from ground tire rubber used as Zn fertilizer for corn and sunflower in a calcareous soil

Background and Aims

We tested the utility of some biological treatments to hasten degradation of waste tire rubber in soil and thus the release of zinc and sulfur for plant uptake.

Methods

Three rates of ground tire rubber (0, 150, and 300?mg?kg^?1) were incorporated into a Zn-deficient calcareous soil. Before addition to the soil, ground rubber was given four microbial treatments including no inoculation, inoculation with Rhodococcus erythropolis, inoculation with R. erythropolis+Escherichia coli, and inoculation with R. erythropolis+E. coli+Acinobacter calcoaceticus. In the pot experiment, corn (Zea mays L. Hybrid Single Cross 500) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Record) plants were exposed to three rates of ground rubber (0, 150, and 300?mg?kg^?1) or 3?mg zinc kg^?1 as ZnSO₄. Before addition to the soil, ground rubber and ZnSO₄ were inoculated or non-inoculated with R. erythropolis+E. coli+A. calcoaceticus.

Results

Ground rubber and microbial inoculation treatments reduced soil pH and the magnitude of this reduction increased over time. Ground rubber in combination with microbial inoculation increased DTPA-extractable soil Zn and Fe. The amount of DTPA-extractable Zn and Fe of rubber-amended soils increased over time so that the highest concentration of available Zn and Fe was found at week 10. Application of microbial inoculated ground tire rubber significantly increased shoot Zn concentration of each plant species.

Conclusions

Bacterial inoculation of ground rubber was effective in hastening increase in DTPA-extractable Zn in the studied calcareous soil and in enhancing Zn uptake by plants.     

Influence of soil type and natural Zn chelates on flax response, tensile properties and soil Zn availability

A greenhouse experiment was conducted on weakly acidic and calcareous soils to evaluate the relative efficiencies of three natural Zn chelates [Zn-aminelignosulphonate (Zn-AML), Zn-polyhydroxyphenylcarboxylate (Zn-PHP) and Zn-S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinate (Zn-S,S-EDDS)] applied to a crop textile flax (Linum ussitatisimum L.) at application rates of 0, 5 and 10 mg Zn kg^?1. In the flax plant, the following parameters were determined: dry matter yield, soluble and total Zn concentrations in leaf and stem, chlorophyll, crude fibre, and tensile properties. For the different soil samples, the following parameters were determined: available Zn (DTPA-AB and Mehlich-3 extractable Zn), easily leachable Zn (BaCl₂-extractable Zn), the distribution of Zn fractions, pH and redox potential. On the basis of the use of added Zn by flax, or Zn utilization, it would seem recommendable to apply Zn-S,S-EDDS at the low Zn rate in both soils. In contrast, adding the high Zn rate of this chelate to the weakly acidic soil produced an excessive Zn concentration in the plant, which caused a significant decrease in both dry matter yield and chlorophyll content. Furthermore, assessing available Zn with the DTPA-AB method proved the best way of estimating the level of excess Zn in flax plants. The soluble Zn concentration, which was established with 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid reagent (MES), of plant fresh and dry matter could be used as an alternative way of diagnosing the nutritional status of Zn in flax plants. In this experiment, the highest soil pHs were associated with the lowest redox potentials, which coincided with the smallest amounts of available Zn and water soluble Zn in soil, and the lowest levels of Zn uptake by flax plants.     

Effect of different zinc levels on activity of superoxide dismutases & acid phosphatases and organic acid exudation on wheat genotypes

A field study was carried out to investigate the effect of three Zn levels 0, 20 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ and 20 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹+ foliar spray of 0.5 % ZnSO₄ on superoxide dismutase activity, acid phosphatase activity and grain yield and a pot experiment to study the effect of zinc deficient and sufficient conditions on organic acid exudation. Increasing Zn levels was established as beneficial in improving the enzyme activities of genotypes. Combined foliar and soil application of Zn proved to be superior of all the treatments. Zinc application resulted in a maximum increment limit of 96.8 % in superoxide dismutase activity, 75.76 % in acid phosphatase activity, and a decrement limit of 88.57 % in oxalic acid exudation irrespective of stages and year of study. The increased enzyme activities had a positive impact on grain yield. As an average of all genotypes an improvement of 19.88 % in 2009 and 21.29 % in 2010 due to soil application while of 16.45 % in 2009 and 13.01 % in 2010 due to combined application was calculated for grain yield. There existed a variation among genotypes in showing responses towards zinc application and the genotypes UP 2584 and PBW 550 were found to be more responsive.     

Uptake and transport of foliar applied zinc (65Zn) in bread and durum wheat cultivars differing in zinc efficiency

Using two bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) and two durum wheat (Triticum durum) cultivars differing in zinc (Zn) efficiency, uptake and translocation of foliar-applied ⁶⁵Zn were studied to characterize the role of Zn nutritional status of plants on the extent of phloem mobility of Zn and to determine the relationship between phloem mobility of Zn and Zn efficiency of the used wheat cultivars. Irrespective of leaf age and Zn nutritional status of plants, all cultivars showed similar Zn uptake rates with application of ⁶⁵ZnSO₄ to leaf strips in a short-term experiment. Also with supply of ⁶⁵ZnSO₄ by immersing the tip (3 cm) of the oldest leaf of intact plants, no differences in Zn uptake were observed among and within both wheat species. Further, Zn nutritional status did not affect total uptake of foliar applied Zn. However, Zn-deficient plants translocated more ⁶⁵Zn from the treated leaf to the roots and remainder parts of shoots. In Zn-deficient plants about 40% of the total absorbed ⁶⁵Zn was translocated from the treated leaf to the roots and remainder parts of shoots within 8 days while in Zn-sufficient plants the proportion of the translocated ⁶⁵Zn of the total absorbed ⁶⁵Zn was about 25%. Although differences in Zn efficiency existed between the cultivars did not affect the translocation and distribution of ⁶⁵Zn between roots and shoots. Bread wheats compared to durum wheats, tended to accumulate more ⁶⁵Zn in shoots and less ⁶⁵Zn in roots, particularly under Zn-deficient conditions. The results indicate that differences in expression of Zn efficiency between and within durum and bread wheats are not related to translocation or distribution of foliar-applied ⁶⁵Zn within plants. Differential compartementation of Zn at the cellular levels is discussed as a possible factor determining genotypic variation in Zn efficiency within wheat.     

Effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on growth and phosphorus and zinc nutrition of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in an Oxisol from subtropical Australia

Peanut plants (cv. Shulamit) were grown in an Oxisol soil in pots in the glasshouse to assess effects of soil sterilization and inoculation with spores of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) on the response to five rates of phosphorus (0 to 240 kg P ha^–1) and two rates of zinc (0 and 10 kg Zn ha^–1) fertilizers.Both P and Zn nutrition were affected by VAMF activity but the dominant role of VAMF in this soil type was in uptake of P. In the absence of VAMF there was a clear threshold level of P application (60 kg P ha^–1) below which plants grew poorly, which resulted in a sigmoidal response of dry matter to applied P. The maximum response was not fully defined because dry matter production continued to increase up to 240 kg P ha^–1. Tissue P concentration of non-mycorrhizal plants increased linearly with P rate and was always significantly less than that in mycorrhizal plants.Mycorrhizal plants responded without threshold to increasing P rate, attaining maximum dry matter at 120 kg P ha^–1 in inoculated sterilized soil and at 30 kg P ha^–1 in nonsterile soil. These differences in maximal P rates and in the greater dry matter produced in sterile soil at high P rates were attributed to the negative effects of the root-knot nematodeMeloidogyne hapla in nonsterile soil.Plant weight did not respond to zinc fertilizer but tissue Zn concentration increased with applied Zn. Tissue Zn concentration and uptake were increased by VAMF.     

Effect of clay,organic matter and CaCO3 content on zinc adsorption by soils

Summary Zinc adsorption was studied in suspensions of six soils of different physicochemical characteristics in dilute ZnSO₄ solutions. At low concentrations, Zn²⁺ adsorption was described by the Langmuir adsorption equation. The calculated Langmuir adsorption maxima were related positively to clay and carbonate content and negatively with organic matter content of soils. Multiple regression analysis revealed that zinc adsorption maxima can be predicted with good precision from information in soil survey reports. When the added Zn²⁺ exceeded the adsorption maximum, the solid phase of zinc controlling its concentration in solution was either zinc hydroxide or carbonate so long as soil carbonates were present. The values of zinc potential also indicated that soils retain Zn²⁺ more strongly than Zn(OH)₂ or carbonate. Postgraduate student Professor of Soils. Professor of Soils.     

Response of wheat to levels of zinc and potash in calcareous soil

Summary A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Institute, Dholi during Rabi 1976–77 in sandy loam soil to study the interaction between zinc and potash in wheat. Zinc and potash were applied to the soil in the form of ZnSO₄ and KCl respectively. Interaction between zinc and potash was found significant. Both the levels of zinc sulphate 12.5 kg/ha and 25 kg/ha being at par produced significantly higher grain yield over control. There was significant increase in grain yield with application of 40 kg and 80 K₂O/ha over control. Potash at the rate of 120 kg in combination with 25 kg Zinc sulphate/ha decreased the yield.     

Characterization of natural variation for zinc, iron and manganese accumulation and zinc exposure response in Brassica rapa L.

Brassica rapa L. is an important vegetable crop in eastern Asia. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic variation in leaf Zn, Fe and Mn accumulation, Zn toxicity tolerance and Zn efficiency in B. rapa. In total 188 accessions were screened for their Zn-related characteristics in hydroponic culture. In experiment 1, mineral assays on 111 accessions grown under sufficient Zn supply (2 μM ZnSO₄) revealed a variation range of 23.2–155.9 μg g⁻¹ dry weight (d. wt.) for Zn, 60.3–350.1 μg g⁻¹ d. wt. for Fe and 20.9–53.3 μg g⁻¹ d. wt. for the Mn concentration in shoot. The investigation of tolerance to excessive Zn (800 μM ZnSO₄) on 158 accessions, by using visual toxicity symptom parameters (TSPs), identified different levels of tolerance in B. rapa. In experiment 2, a selected sub-set of accessions from experiment 1 was characterized in more detail for their mineral accumulation and tolerance to excessive Zn supply (100 μM and 300 μM ZnSO₄). In this experiment Zn tolerance (ZT) determined by relative root or shoot dry biomass varied about 2-fold. The same six accessions were also examined for Zn efficiency, determined as relative growth under 0 μM ZnSO₄ compared to 2 μM ZnSO₄. Zn efficiency varied 1.8-fold based on shoot dry biomass and 2.6-fold variation based on root dry biomass. Zn accumulation was strongly correlated with Mn and Fe accumulation both under sufficient and deficient Zn supply. In conclusion, there is substantial variation for Zn accumulation, Zn toxicity tolerance and Zn efficiency in Brassica rapa L., which would allow selective breeding for these traits.