Effect of zinc and organic matter on nutritional composition of seeded rice

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect on nutritional composition of Rice crop and zinc content in plant and post harvest soils after the application of zinc alone and zinc in combination with organic matters i.e farm yard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and piggery manure (PiM). Zinc was applied at the rate of 1.25,2.5 and 5 kg ha−1 with 10 t FYM, 5 t PM and 5 t PiM ha−1. Grain yield of rice showed increase of 31.2% with the combined application of 5 kg Zn + 5 t PM ha−1. Total Zn uptake and its concentration in grain and straw increased significantly with the increasing levels of Zn and Organic Manures application. Total uptake of nutrients i.e. Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, N, P, K and S by rice crop, increased significantly with the application of Zn alone or in combination with FYM, PM, or PiM irrespective of the effect of these treatments on the concentrations, as a result of increasing effect on grain and straw yield.