Influence of magnesium, iron, and zinc as foliar application on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in central clay plains, Sudan

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at two locations, White Nile Research Station Farm (Kosti) and Gezira Research Station Farm (Medani). The climate in both locations is semi-arid and the soil at both locations is heavy clay vertisols. The experiment was conducted under an irrigated system during the kharif season of 2020. The study aimed to investigate the effect of adding magnesium, iron, and zinc fertilizers on vegetative growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The released rice variety Wakra was used. Eight treatments were used control, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mg+Fe, Mg+ Zn, Fe+ Zn, Mg+Fe+Zn of the rate 59.5 kg/ha, 595 ml/ha respectively, and control without fertilizer. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The data was analyzed using ANOVA and means separation was done using the least significant difference (LSD). The results showed that the application of these micronutrients significantly (P≤ 0.05) affected chlorophyll content and number of spikelets per spike at the Kosti site. While at the Medani site, plant height and 1000 grain weight showed significant differences (P≤ 0.05). No significant differences (P≤ 0.05) were found in days to 50% flowering, leaf area, number of reproductive tillers, straw yield and grain yield for both sites. The lowest and the highest yield (ton/ha) were registered for the control and Fe+ Zn treatments, respectively. The results indicated that application Fe+Zn increased grain yield by 27% and 21% at the Kosti and Medani sites, respectively. According to the results of this study, it is recommended to apply a combination of the micronutrients Fe+Zn under the Kosti and Medani sites. The study indicates that the micronutrients as foliar application are needed in the central clay plains to increase upland rice productivity in the Sudan.

Keywords: Vertisols, chlorophyll content, micronutrients, foliar application, upland rice.