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Zinc Uptake by Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) as Affected by Zn Application Rate, Zeolite, and Vermicompost

ABSTRACT Zinc deficiency in calcareous soils is a serious problem, which may be ameliorated by the application of some soil amendments. A completely randomized factorial experiment was done to investigate the effect of zeolite, vermicompost, zeolite + vermicompost, and Zn application to a calcareous soil on Zn availability, dry weight of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and Zn concen-tration in spinach. Results indicated that zeolite had no effect on soil Zn availability, dry weight, and Zn concentration in spinach. Vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (1.33 g pot−1) and decreased Zn concentration in spinach (16 mg kg−1). Application of zeolite + vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (by 2.8 times) and Zn uptake in spinach and it also decreased Zn concentration in spinach less than vermicompost. Zinc application increased Zn concentration in spinach (up to 496 mg kg−1), but did not affect dry weight except in soils treated with zeolite + vermicompost. Generally, application of zeolite + vermicompost is recommended instead of separate zeolite or vermicompost application for improvement of soil Zn fertility and Zn uptake by spinach.