Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on quality parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) in vertisol

Maize protein is deficient in lysine and tryptophan but has fair amounts of sulphur containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine). Nutritional enhancement of maize protein can be achieved by supplying trace elements with major nutrients either through soil or foliar application. Thus to know the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on quality of maize was conducted during kharif 2017 at Agricultural Research Station, Siruguppa, Karnataka. The experiment was laid out with nine treatments replicated three times in randomized block design. The results of the experiments revealed that the treatments had significant effect on nutrient content in grain and quality parameters. The treatments that received NPK @ 200:100:75 kg ha-1 (Farmers’ practice) along with foliar spray of Grade-I either @ 2.5 ml L-1, 5.0 ml L-1 or 10 ml L-1 recorded comparatively higher protein content in grain samples than the other treatments. However, the highest protein content was recorded in treatment with Farmers’ practice plus foliar spray of Grade-I @ 10 ml L-1 at 40 and 60 DAS. The highest tryptophan and lysine content was also recorded in the same treatment. The results also showed that nutrient content in corn grain could be increased through foliar application of micronutrients along with soil application of major nutrients.