Effect of potassium and zinc fertilization on root growth parameters of maize

An experiment was conducted on maize during the Kharif Season of year 2016 at the Agronomy research farm of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola to find out the effect of potassium and zinc fertilization on various root growth attributes as well as accumulation of applied nutrients on roots. The treatment consisted of three different doses of potassium, i.e., 30,60 and 90 kg K₂O/ha along with three different doses of zinc, i.e., 20, 30 and 40 kg ZnSO₄/ ha. The experimental data revealed that with a progressive increment of potassium and zinc fertilization resulted in improved root growth in the case of both potassium and zinc. Synergistic effect between potassium and zinc has been observed as the application of potassium at a rate of 90 kg K₂O/ ha along with 40 kg ZnSO₄ resulted in higher total root length, root diameter, volume and dry weight. The accumulation of potassium and zinc has also been found significantly higher in case of higher application rate of both potassium and zinc.