Effect of Soil and Foliar Zinc Fertilization on Growth and Fodder Yield of Cumbu Napier [CO (BN) 5] under Zinc-Deficient Soils of Tamil Nadu

A field experiment was conducted at Anaikatti, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, to evaluate the effect of zinc fertilization on the growth and yield attributes of Cumbu Napier [CO (BN) 5]. The treatments included soil and foliar applications of zinc sulphate at different levels in combination with soil-test-based NPK recommendations. Results indicated that the combined application of soil test-based NPK + 25 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ + 0.5ą ZnSO₄ foliar spray applied thrice at 10-day intervals (T₄) significantly improved plant height, number of tillers, SPAD values, and green fodder yield compared to other treatments. The enhanced growth and yield performance under T₄ was attributed to improved zinc availability, increased photosynthetic efficiency, and better enzymatic and hormonal regulation. These findings indicate the potential of combined soil and foliar zinc application to maximize fodder yield and maintain the nutritional quality of Cumbu Napier.