Received: 18th May 2020; Accepted: 20th June 2020

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal during the wet season of 2018 and 2019 to study the response of direct-seeded rice to methods of Zn application. Results revealed that, growth attributes like plant height, number of tillers m-2 and dry matter accumulation were significantly influenced by methods of zinc application. At maturity, higher number of tillers m-2 and dry matter accumulation was recorded with split soil application of ZnSO4 which was closely followed by soil application of ZnSO4 + foliar spray of Zn-EDTA. Significantly higher grain yields of 4796 and 4756 kg ha-1 were recorded with split soil application of ZnSO4 ha-1 compared to 4145 and 4093 kg ha-1 in no Zn application during 2018 and 2019, respectively. Improvement in net return was found to the tune of about 29% in split soil application of ZnSO4 ; and 23% in soil application of ZnSO4 + foliar spray of Zn-EDTA during both the years.