Differential Responses of Quantitative and Qualitative Characters of Maize to Different Sources of Zinc

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the influence of different forms of Zinc on various yield components and quality traits in maize. Treatments included Zn-EDT A and Zinc Sulphate alone and in combination compared with a control treatment. Observations on quantitative parameters like plant height, cob length, cob girth, kernel rows per cob, number of seeds per cob, rind weight and seed yield per cob and qualitative parameters like oil, protein and starch content were recorded for a two year period. Results indicated that the sole treatments enhanced oil and protein content, while the combination treatment enhanced yield and starch content of maize. Regression studies on the impact of various quantitative characters on yield revealed that only cob girth and number of seeds per cob had significant positive effect on yield with high values of correlation coefficient 'r', while all other parameters had positive but non-significant influence on yield. A regression equation for yield was fitted and discussed