How to Cut Down The Gap Between The Zn Requirement and Supply of Food Chain and Crop Growth: A Critical Review

Author(s): Parashuram Bhantana, Dennis Timlin, Muhammad Shoaib Rana, Mohamed G. Moussa, Dong Zhihao, Xuecheng Sun, Qiling Tan and Hu Cheng Xiao

Background and Aims: Zinc deficiency is increasing becoming a problem in human nutrition. Many researches are undergoing now a days on crop growth and environment to meet the total dietary requirement. This is how crop bifortification of Zinc (Zn) is taken for this study to narrow down the gap between the potential yield and actual yield. For rational use of plant nutrients combined soil plus foliar application of Zn is recommended in major area of plant research. Too much or too little application of nutrients poses serious threat to crop growth and environment.

General Observations: Tree spray with 0.6% ZnSO4 performed highest enlarge in Kinnow Mandarin height, crown width and stem girth, fruit diameter, fruit weight, ascorbic acid content and total phenolics compared to all other treatments. Zn has an ability of pomegranate trees to tackle against various disease and environmental stresses. The result of Zn application on fruit juice dry weight, density and TSS is highly significant. Both time and frequency of spraying offer an advantage for crop growth and development. In wheat if three sprays are applied should done at tillering, jointing and boot stage and if only two sprays to be done need to at tillering and 2nd spray at jointing stage.

Conclusion: So if only one micronutrient need to apply than Zn is the first choice. Application of ZnSO4 in the form of foliar spray is suggested.