Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during 2011-12 in maize-blackgram cropping system to determine the effect of boron (B) and zinc (Zn) on the yield and yield components in B and Zn- deficient red soils (Fine loamy hyperthermic Udic Haplustalfs) of Pattukkottai series in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu. The treatments included for the main crop maize hybrid (NK-6240) and residual blackgram (var.Vamban-3) were three levels of NPK as main plot treatments M 1 : Control (No N , P and K), M 2 : 75% NPK kg ha -1 , M 3 : 100% NPK ha -1 (250:75:75)and nine levels of sub plot treatments as ZnSO4 @ 37.5 kg ha-1 (S2), 50kg ZnSO4 ha -1 (S3), 10 kg Borax ha -1 (S4), 15 kg Borax ha -1 (S5), 37.5 kg ZnSO4 ha -1 +10 kg Borax ha -1 (S6), 37.5 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 +15 kg Borax ha -1 (S7), 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 +10 kg Borax ha -1 (S8) and 50 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 +15 kg Borax ha -1 (S9) and also without application of fertilizers was maintained as absolute control (S1) in split plot design. Results revealed that application of ZnSO 4 and Borax @ 37.5 kg +10 kg ha -1 respectively combined with recommended 100% NPK ha-1 (M 3 S 6 ) significantly recorded the highest grain (6.93 t ha -1 ) and stover yield (12.57 t ha-1 ). For residual crop black gram, application of ZnSO4 and Borax @ 50 kg and10 kg ha -1 respectively combined with recommended 100% NPK ha -1 (M 3 S 8 ) significantly recorded the highest seed (747.9 kg ha -1 ) and haulm yield (80.8 kg ha -1 ). Among the different levels of macro with micronutrient combinations, the highest gross income (Rs.1,33,391) was recorded under the treatment 100 % NPK + Zn 10 B 1.0 (M 3 S 8 ) than 37.5 kg ZnSO 4 ha-1 +10 kg Borax ha -1 (M3 S6 ). Hence, in Zn and B deficient soil, combined application of 100% NPK along with 50 kg and10 kg of ZnSO 4 and Borax ha -1 respectively (M 3 S 8 ) may be recommended for enhancing yield and gross income in maize-blackgram cropping system

Keywords: Maize- blackgram, Zinc, Boron, Grain, Stover, Seed and Haulm yield