Nutrient uptake, zinc use efficiency and yield of pigeon pea as influenced by various modes of zinc application under rainfed condition

The response of pigeon pea to various modes of zinc application was studied through a field experiment consisting combinations of different modes of zinc application viz., two levels of zinc (2.5 and 5.0 kg Zn/ha), two levels of FYM (0, and 5.0 t FYM/ha) and two foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO₄ (at flower and pod initiation stage) for two consecutive years (2013–15). The grain yield, uptake of nutrients, and zinc use efficiency was studied at the harvest of pigeon pea. The results revealed that the grain yield and zinc use efficiency varied 7–25% and 0.8–6.6% higher among different modes of zinc applications over no zinc application. Similarly, the N and K uptake was found 15–50% and 27–34% higher among various applications of zinc modes as compared to control. The P uptake was found lower in the treatments having higher dose of zinc application. The application of 5.0 kg Zn/ha along with 5 t FYM/ha and/or 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ found significantly superior for higher yield and nutrient uptake in pigeon pea whereas, the application of 2.5 kg Zn/ha along with 5 t FYM/ha and 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ showed highest zinc use efficiency in pigeon pea.