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Effect of Potassium and Zinc Nutrition on Growth and Yield of Short Duration Maize (Zea mays L.) under Dryland Vertisols

Background: The black soils (vertisols) are often considered to be high in potassium content however; under intensive cultivation of high nutrient demanding crop like maize; the soil available potassium might not be sufficient to fulfil the demand. Moreover; the interaction between potassium and micronutrients like zinc has to evaluated for higher crop yield under dryland condition.
Methods: The experiment was laid out in factorial RBD design with two factors, i.e., potassium (K) and zinc (Zn), with three levels of each (K1- 30 kg K2O ha-1, K2- 60 kg K2O ha-1, K3- 90 kg K2O ha-1; Zn1- 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1, Zn2- 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 and Zn3- 40 kg ZnSO4 ha-1).
Result: Statistical interpretation of experimental data revealed that application of potassium at 60 kg K2O ha-1 and 30 kg of ZnSO4 ha-1 resulted improved plant height, number of functional leaves plants-1, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, stover yield and shelling percentage in maize. Interestingly positive interaction has also been recorded between potassium and zinc nutrition.
