Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the transformation, redistribution, availability and relative effectiveness of Zn from different fertilizer sources viz. Zn-DTPA (Zinc chelated with di-ethylene tri-amine penta-acitic acid), Zn-EDTA (Zinc chelated with ethylene di-amine tetra-acetic acid), Zn-CH (Zinc chelated with a mixture of DTPA & EDTA) and ZnSO₄.7H₂O (Zinc sulphate hepta hydrate) applied at various zinc levels (5, 10 and 20 mg kg^-1) to an Inceptisols in a greenhouse experiment. The results of the greenhouse study showed that the application of three zinc sources significantly increased wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and succeeding maize (Zea mays L.) dry matter yield and shoot/root ratio compared with the control at increased levels of zinc. Positive, significant correlations were obtained between the zinc concentration in plant and the available zinc as well as the first two sequentially extracted Zn fractions (water soluble plus exchangeable and organically complexed). The positive and significant effect of zinc levels was also found on plant nitrogen and potassium. The zinc fractions in the soil after harvest of both crops were positively and significantly correlated with each other.

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