Effect of Zn fertilization on yield, protein content, protein yield and zinc use efficiency in pearl millet

Two year field experiment was conducted at Rajasthan Agriculture Research Institute, Durgapura, during rainy seasons of 2019 and 2020 in factorial block design with three replications to study the growth, productivity and economics of pearl millet – chickpea cropping system by using three genotypes (RHB-173, MPMH-17 and RHB-177) and five treatments of zinc [0, 5, 7.5 kg Zn/ha through ZnSO4.7H2O and 5, 7.5 kg Zn/ha through Zn-EDTA) applied to pearl millet and two foliar spray treatments applied in both of crop at booting stage in pearl millet and pre-flowering stage in chickpea. Results revealed that total nitrogen and zinc contents of chickpea were increased significantly and highest with the residual effect of 7.5 kg Zn/ha through Zn-EDTA and 7.5 kg Zn/ha through ZnSO4.7H2O and phosphorus contents of chickpea was recorded depressive effect on residual zinc fertilization, while, potassium contents was not influenced significantly. However, the significant increase in uptake of nutrients nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and zinc were obtained with 7.5 kg Zn/ha through Zn-EDTA higher per cent over control, during the years 2019-20 and 2020-21. The highest nitrogen, protein content and zinc contents and uptake values were obtained with 5, 7.5 kg Zn/ha through Zn-EDTA. The residual effect of 7.5 kg Zn/ha through Zn-EDTA was at par with 7.5 kg Zn/ha through ZnSO4.7H2O. The increased in total uptake of nitrogen, it could be ultimately increased protein yield were 16.54 and 27.48 per cent, during respective years over control. The highest nutrient use efficiency was obtain with lowest of fertilizer dose of Zn-EDTA as compare to zinc sulphate.