Variability in response to zinc application in wheat genotypes

Field experiments were conducted during two consecutive rabi seasons at experimental research farm of C.S.Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur to find out the physiological variability and yield under rice-wheat cropping system. Results revealed a significant differential response of wheat genotypes in term of specific flag leaf weight, total chlorophyll, zinc content in leaf, yield and its determining attributes at different levels of zinc application under rice –wheat cropping system. Genotypes namely PBW 343 and K9162 were found to be more responsive as compared to other genotypes both at high and low levels of zinc under rice-wheat cropping system where soil is abnormally deficient in zinc. Further yield gain in PBW343 and K9162 was about 6.0% more over control and hence these genotypes could be selected as a most efficient cultivars for successful cultivation under zinc deficient soil.