Influence of Zinc Application on Yield, Economics, and Soil Zinc Status in Paddy

This study assessed the impact of zinc sulphate application on paddy yield, economic returns, and soil zinc status in 12 farmer fields across four villages during the Kharif seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21. Treatments included basal zinc sulphate application at25 kg/ha, control (no zinc), residual effect plots, and continuous zinc-treated plots, with the RNR 15048 variety grown on clay soils with neutral pH and varying nutrient levels. Results revealed that zinc application significantly enhanced grain yield, with treated plots averaging 6,339 kg/ha compared to 5,790 kg/ha in control plots in 2019–20. During 2020–21, continuous zinc-treated plots produced the highest yield of 6,511 kg/ha, followed by residual plots (6,352 kg/ha) and control plots (5,922 kg/ha). Economic analysis showed higher net returns and benefit-cost ratios for zinc-treated plots, with treated plots recording ₹94,577/ha anda B:C ratio of 2.64 in 2019–20, compared to ₹85,948/ha and 2.62 for control plots. In 2020–21, continuous zinc-treated plots yielded ₹98,691/ha with a B:C ratio of 2.71, outperforming residual and control plots. Soil analysis indicated improved zinc content, increasing from an initial average of 0.992 ppm to 1.325 ppm in treated plots by 2020–21, while control plots averaged 0.848 ppm. These findings underscore the benefits of zinc application for enhancing paddy yield, profitability, and soil health, with continuous zinc application offering the most significant advantages for sustainable cultivation.