Zinc, boron and sulphur deficiencies are holding back the potential of rainfed crops in semi-arid India: Experiences from participatory watershed management

Srinivasa Rao, Ch and Wani, S P and Sahrawat, K L and Rego, T J and Pardhasaradhi, G (2008) Zinc, boron and sulphur deficiencies are holding back the potential of rainfed crops in semi-arid India: Experiences from participatory watershed management. International Journal of Plant Production, 2 (1). pp. 89-99. ISSN 1735-6814

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Abstract

Little attention has been paid to the diagnosis of deficiencies of micronutrients such as zinc (Zn) and boron (B) and secondary nutrient such as sulphur (S) in rainfed systems. We evaluated Zn, B and S status of 1617 farmers’ fields in 14 districts of the semi-arid tropical India. Results showed that most of the soil samples were low to medium in organic carbon contents. Results also revealed that Zn deficiency ranged from 2 to 100%, B deficiency ranged form 0 to 100%, and S deficiency ranged from 40 to 100% in farmers’ fields across the districts. On-farm trials were conducted to study the response of rainfed crops to Zn, B and S application, and the residual effects of B and S, genotypic variations in chickpea cultivars in response to these nutrients and the economics of Zn, B and S use. Results from on-farm trials conducted during 2002-2006 showed significant yield responses of finger millet, maize, sunflower, soybean, groundnut and chickpea to application of Zn, B and S. There was significant residual effect of B and S applied to rainy season soybean on post-rainy season chickpea. Among genotypes of chickpea, KAK-2 was more responsive than other cultivars. Application of Zn, B and S also significantly increased the uptake of Zn, B and S in the crop biomass. Results also showed that application of Zn, B and S along with N+P was economical and critical for higher and sustained productivity of rainfed crops in semi-arid regions of India.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Balanced nutrition, Boron, Residual effects, Semi-arid tropics, Sulphur, Zinc
Subjects:	Others > Soil Science Others > Watershed Management
Depositing User:	Mr Sanat Kumar Behera
Date Deposited:	14 Oct 2011 05:22
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2011 05:22
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/2475
Official URL:
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Asian Development Bank, World Bank
Acknowledgement:	We thank Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Asian Development Bank, World Bank for special fund for watershed development and Government of Karnataka for the financial support of various projects under which these studies are undertaken. We sincerely thank the farmers who actively collaborated for undertaking Participatory Research and Development trials.
Links:	Author

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