Comparative efficacy of soil and foliar application of zinc on garlic (Allium sativum) production in sandy loam soils of Rajasthan

An experiment was conducted to assess the impact of various levels and modes of zinc (Zn) application on garlic (Allium sativum L.) at College of Agriculture, Jodhpur during rabi 2021-22. There were seven treatments, three soil applications of ZnSO₄ (5, 10, and 15 kg/ha), three foliar applications of ZnSO₄ (0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.7%), and control in a randomized block design with three replications. The results indicated that ZnSO₄ applications significantly improved growth parameters, yield attributes and bulb yield of garlic. The highest plant height (69.5.cm) and number of leaves (8.64 at 120 days after planting) were observed with soil application of ZnSO₄ 15 kg/ha and foliar application of ZnSO₄ 0.7%. Foliar application of ZnSO₄ 0.7% also recorded significantly highest values of bulb weight (26.1 g), neck thickness (0.78 cm), and weight of 50 cloves (65.2 g). Both soil application of ZnSO₄ 15 kg/ha and foliar application ZnSO₄ 0.7% treatments achieved the maximum bulb yield (15.4 t/ha), compared to the control (11.5 t/ha), indicating a 33.9% increase in bulb yield. Zinc use efficiency was highest with soil application of ZnSO₄ 15 kg/ha (0.29 t/ha/kg ZnSO₄). The highest net returns (₹ 465,154/ha) were recorded with foliar application of ZnSO₄ 0.7% and the highest B:C ratio (3.08) in soil application of ZnSO₄ 15 kg/ha. These results highlights the higher efficacy of ZnSO₄ applications, particularly with foliar, enhancing growth, yield, quality, and economic returns of garlic in arid regions.