Abstract

                                Addition of Zn significantly increased the diy matter yield of maize roots, stem, leaf sheath and leaf blade whereas Mg decreased their yields. In no Zn treatment, the appli cation of Mg at 60 ppm reduced the total dry matter yield to 35% and in presence of 5 ppm Zn the magnitude of reduction was only 12%. The depressing effact of Mg on the concentration of Ca was much higher as compared to Zn. Incorporation of Mg reduced the uptake of Ca in roots to 62% and in serial organ to 76% which revealed an inhibited translocation of Ca from root to shoot. Application of Zn reduced the soll available Ca to 27% whereas Mg reduced it to 39% showing thereby the higher depressing effect of Mg on the availability of Ca as compared to the effect of Zn.

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