Assessing Effect of Zinc (ZnSO₄) and Iron (FeSO₄) Application on Productivity and Profitability of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Through on Farm Trials

On Farm Trials, in farmers’ participatory mode, were conducted to assess the effects of application of Zinc (ZnSO₄.7H₂O) as basal in combination with Iron (FeSO₄) as foliar spray on yield and profitability of wheat during winter/rabi seasons of 2011–12 and 2012–13 at farmers field in Bhiwani District of Haryana state, India. The technology under assessment viz. application of Zinc @ 25 kg ha^-1 + two foliar sprays of Iron @ 0.5 per cent at tillering and 10 days after first spray in wheat significantly increased the yield attributes viz. number of tillers/ m², grains/spike and 1000-grain weight by 2.2, 5.3 and 3.5 per cent, over farmers’ practice (no use of Zinc and Fe) respectively, reflected by 10 per cent higher grain yield of wheat over two years of study. The technology also proved more profitable with higher net returns (Rs. 59669 ha^-1) and B: C (2.92) ratio in comparison to Rs. 51552 ha^-1 and 2.72, respectively, under farmers practice i.e. no application of Zn and Fe in wheat.