Summary
The effect of Zn-P-Fe interaction in the nutrition of the maize plant was first examined by a well-controlled pot culture experiment and the results subsequently evaluated by a field trial.
Dry matter production by root and shoot was affected significantly by the nutrient interaction. Enhanced P application reduced Zn concentration in shoot by more than half as compared to root. While Zn concentration per se in the plant increased, its relative mobility from root to shoot was vastly impeded, implying a physiological inhibition in movement from root to shoot. Root uptake of P almost doubled resultant from enhanced P application indicating a ‘concentration effect’. A ‘locking up’ process of P movement from root to shoot was observed. Relatively more Fe than Zn was root absorbed and immobilized resulting in reduced translocation to shoot. Dry matter yield increases were recorded generally at or around a P/Zn ratio of 19 and 65 respectively in root and shoot. Corresponding values for P/Fe and Fe/Zn ratios were 284 and 11 and 67 and 6 respectively. Sampling of the substrate at 15 days interval indicated decreased availability of Zn, P and Fe as a function of time consequent to plant growth. Significant differences in availability with reference to higher amounts of applied Zn were observed only later during crop growth, while in the case of P and Fe they were observed at each sampling. Available Zn and P correlated positively with plant shoot and root tissue concentration. With Fe, the correlation was negative in the case of shoot. The contrasting ‘r’ values of Zn and Fe in shoot implicates the strong possibility of P-induced Zn-Fe antagonism.
Field evaluation of the experiment indicated the depressing effect of high P application on grain yield and also its nullifying effects on the otherwise positive effect of Zn and Fe application.
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Nair, K.P.P., Babu, G.R. Zinc-phosphorus-iron interaction studies in maize. Plant Soil 42, 517–536 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00009940
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00009940