Directorate of Research, N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad-224229 (U.P.), India
*Corresponding author : Prof. T.N. Singh, Associate Director of Research, Crop Research Station, Masodha, P.O. Dabhasemar, Distt. Faizabad-224 133 (U.P.) India
Magnesium application enhanced the effect of zinc on growth and grain yield of rice in alkali/sodic soil.Ten kg MgSO4/ha almost doubled the biomass production under normal supply of 25 kg ZnSO4/ha largely due to increased tillering. It also hastened the process of heading. Magnesium tended to reduce the chaffy grains and thereby increased the filled-grains and grain size leading to yield enhancement significantly. Further, magnesium application resulted in dark green colour of leaves due to increased chlorophylls. The activity of carbonic anhydrase also increased due to magnesium application. Interestingly, Mg application promoted the absorption and translocation of Zn, Ca, P, K and that of Mg itself whereas Na accumulation was inhibited. This study suggested that magnesium can be beneficial, in addition to zinc, in alkali soil.
Carbonic anhydrase, chlorophyll, magnesium sulphate, sodic soil, zinc
