Abstract
A greenhouse experiment, growing maize for six weeks, was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative role of Zn (0 and 10 ppm Zn) under saline (ECe4, 8 and 12 mmhos/cm), Sodic (ESP 10, 20 and 30) and saline-sodic (all possible combinations of above salinity and sodicity levels), and normal soil conditions using a sandy loam (Typic Ustochrepts) soil sample.
Zinc ameliorated plant growth under salt-affected soil conditions. Ameliorative effect was more under sodic than under saline or saline-sodic soil conditions. Shoot yield decreased with Salinity level of 12 mmhos/cm, and ESP 30 and adverse effects were accentuated with increasing level of ESP and Salinity, respectively.
Shoot Zn increased with applied Zn. Increasing sodicity in soil under Zn deficient or low salinity conditions generally decreased shoot Zn, whereas the low level of soil salinization counteracted the adverse effect of high sodicity. Shoot Na increased but K decreased with increasing sodicity and salinity in soil. Shoot Na decreased but K increased with applied Zn. Shoot Ca increased with salinity levels of 4 and 8 mmhos/cm, but decreased with 12 mmhos/cm at 0 Zn level. Sodicity decreased shoot Ca, whereas Zn counteracted adverse effect of high sodicity. Shoot Mg generally increased with increasing salinity, but decreased with increasing sodicity. Zinc had no definite effect. Shoot Ca/Na and K/Na ratios were widened with Zn and narrowed down with high ESP.
The effects of salinity, sodicity, and Zn on plant growth and its composition were generally associated with their respective roles in dry matter production, and inter-ionic relationships among Ca, Mg, K, Na and Zn in soils and plants.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bains S S and Fireman M 1964 Effect of exchangeable sodium percentage on the growth and absorption of essential nutrients and sodium by crop plants. Agron. J. 56, 432–435.
Bhatti A S and Sarwar G 1977 Response of corn to micronutrients (Zn and Cu) on a saline soil-Growth and ionic relationship. Plant and Soil 48, 719–724.
Classen N E and Wilcox G E 1974 Comparative reduction of calcium and magnesium composition of corn tissue by NH4−N and K fertilization. Agron. J. 66, 521–522.
Hassan-Nouri A K, Drew J V, Khudsen D and Obon A 1970 Influence of soil salinity on production of dry matter and uptake and distribution of nutrients in barley and corn. agron. J. 62, 43–45.
Kanwar J S and Chopra S L 1967 Practical Agricultural Chemistry (S. Chand and Co.) pp 29–107.
Lindsay W L and Norvell W A 1978 Development of DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese and copper. J. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. 42, 421–428.
Magistad O C 1945 Plant growth relations on saline and alkali soils. Bot. Rev. Vol. XI pp 181–230.
Shukla U C and Prasad K G 1974 Ameliorative role of zinc on maize growth under alkali soil conditions. Agron. J. 66, 804–806.
Shukla U C and Mukhi A K 1979 Sodium, potassium and zinc relationship in corn. Agron. J. 71, 235–237.
Shukla U C and Mukhi A K 1980 Ameliorative role of Zn, K and Gypsum on maize growth under alkali soil conditions. Agron. J. 72, 85–88.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Contribution from the Department of Soils, Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, 125004, India
former Research Fellow, respectively.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shukla, U.C., Mukhi, A.K. Ameliorative role of zinc on maize growth (Zea mays L.) under salt-affected soil conditions. Plant Soil 87, 423–432 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181909
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181909