Differential Response of Maize Cultivars to Iron Applied through Ferti-f ortif ieation

摘要

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for the regular functioning, healthy growth and reproduction of plants, animals and humans and it is obtained from daily dietary intakes. The deficiency of Fe is a consequence of its low concentration in cereal food which can be achieved through ferti-fortification. Increasing the content of Fe in edible (grain) parts of plant is fundamental to produce better crops. The present study was undertaken with a sole objective to enhance the concentration of Fe in maize grains and its absorption through ferti-fortification with Fe via plant foliage. To achieve this, a field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (Kharif seasons of 2010-2011) to enrich grains of five maize cultivars viz. PMH-1, JH-3459, 30V92, Prabhat and Navjot with Fe applied through foliar application. Our results investigated that foliar application of Fe further increased the concentration of Fe at Knee high, pre-tasseling, post-tasseling and maturity stages. The results further reported that foliar application of Fe (FeSO4.7H2O) @ 1.0% significantly increased the plant height, SPAD value and grain yield of maize compared with unsprayed control. Among different maize cultivars, per cent increase in Fe concentration was higher in PMH-K62 %) cultivar which was followed by Prabhat (40%) and Navjot (39%) cultivars. Maximum grain yield was produced by 30V92 (49.0 q ha1) followed by PMH-1 (45.6 q ha~(-1)) and JH-3459 (44.12 q ha1) hybrids with 1.0% foliar application of Fe. On the other hand JH-3459 and Navjot cultivars reported almost equivalent concentrations of Fe as 39.9 and 39.57 mg kg~(-1) respectively. The highest uptake of Fe was reported by hybrid 30V92 (3814 g ha~(-1)) and it was followed by JH-3459 cultivar.