Effect of zinc application on productivity, nutrient uptake and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties under different sowing conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 201314 and 201415 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the effects of sowing time and zinc application on productivity, nutrient up- take and economics of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] varieties. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, replicated thrice with sowing times (normal and very late) and wheat varieties (HD 2967, WR 544 and HD 3059) in mainplots and ZnSO .7H O application (control; 25 kg/ha soil application, 3 foliar 4 2 sprays @ 0.5% at boot, anthesis and grain-filling stage; 25 kg/ha soil application + 1 foliar spray @ 0.5% at anthe- sis) in subplots. Very late sowing reduced the yield attributes, grain and straw yields (9.2 and 29.1%), total N, P, K, Zn uptake, net returns (22.9%) and benefit: cost ratio (23.3%) of wheat. HD 2967 wheat gave higher grain and straw yields and showed higher total N, P, Zn uptake, net returns and benefit: cost ratio. However, it showed the highest grain yield reduction (18%) with the late planting. Application of Zn did not significantly alter yield at- tributes, grain and straw yields, net returns and benefit: cost ratio, though this treatment increased the total N, K and Zn uptake (6.8, 5.4, and 9.9% respectively) over the control under 1.45 mg/kg soil available Zn.