Effect of Zn, Fe and FYM application on growth, yield and nutrient content of rice

A field experiment was carried out at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during wet season, 2006–07 and 2007–08. Testing variables consisted of two varieties i.e. NDR-359 and HUBR 2–1, two sources of fertilizer application i.e. 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RFD) of NPK through inorganic source and 75% RFD through inorganic and rest 25% through FYM. Two micronutrients, Zn and Fe through Zn-EDTA and Fe-EDTA were tested in different combinations either on soil or as foliar application or both @ 0.5 and 1.0 Kg ha−1. Amongst varieties, var. NDR-359 recorded significantly higher growth, yield and NPK content of grain than HUBR 2–1, while Zn and Fe content were significantly increased in HUBR 2–1. Fertilizer source as application of 75% RFD through inorganic and rest through FYM recoded significantly higher growth, yield and N, P, K, Zn and Fe content of grain than 100% RFD through inorganic source. Among the different micronutrient treatments, soil application of Zn-EDTA @ 1 Kg ha−1 recorded significantly higher Zn content in grain, whereas application of Fe-EDTA @0.5 Kg ha−1 recorded significantly higher Fe content in grain as compared to other micronutrient treatments.