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Relative efficiency of different Zn-enriched organics in improving yields of wheat and maize as well as increase in fertilizer use efficiency was studied. The inorganic form of zinc was added @ 2.5 and 5.0 kg ha−1 through 500 kg of enriched organics viz., farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM), sewage sludge (SS) and biogas slurry (BGS). The Zn-enriched treatments of organics were evaluated as against straight Zn application @ 2.5 kg and 5.0 kg Zn ha−1 besides control. The application of Zn-enriched PM and BGS to wheat in rabi was found beneficial in increasing the yields of wheat as well as maize (fodder) in summer. The Zn-enriched PM and BGS improved average wheat grain yield by about 68 and 49 per cent respectively over control (1815 kg ha−1) whereas same was higher by 33 and 18 per cent over straight Zn application, respectively. The overall maximum improvement in maize dry matter due to residual effect of Zn-enriched PM and BGS was higher by about 19 and 9 per cent over straight Zn application. The Zn application in enriched form enhanced utilization of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) by wheat due to direct effect and by maize as residual effect of the treatments. The availability of micronutrients was also increased due to application of different enriched organics. The overall results of the study suggested that the Zn application through enriched organics could be a better way for management of micronutrient stress to increase crop yields as well as to reduce chemical load thereby helping in improving soil quality.
Zn-enriched organics, wheat, maize, micronutrients
