Microsoft Word - 5. BAJ-471E Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 26(2): 34-40 GROWTH AND YIELD OF LENTIL AS INFLUENCED BY ZINC AND BORON MANAGEMENT A. Kumar, P.K. Biswas* and A. Rahman Department of Agronomy, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh *Corresponding author, Email: parimalbiswas@hotmail.com (Received: 07 December 2023, Accepted: 29 April 2024) Keywords: Zinc, boron, organic manure, foliar spray, BARI Masur-8, Binamasur-8 Abstract A field experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh, during the period from November 2021 to March 2022 to evaluate the influence of micronutrients management on growth and yield of two lentil varieties viz., BARI Masur-8 (V1) and Binamasur-8 (V2) and 6 micronutrients management (no fertilizer - F1, recommended fertilizer dose (RFD) (40-90-40-55 Kg ha−1 of urea-TSP-MoP-Gypsum) with 10 Kg ha−1 ZnSO4 as basal - F2, RFD with zinc (Zn) as foliar spray - F3, RFD with Zn and boron (B) as foliar spray - F4, 50% RFD + 50% cow dung (5 t ha−1) - F5 and 50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn and B as foliar spray - F6). No significant effect had found for variety except 1000-seed weight but micronutrients management along with interactions significantly effects on all studied parameters of lentil. The higher 1000-seed weight (34.16 g) was recorded in BARI Masur-8. The highest plant height (37.09 cm), number of branches plant−1 (7), dry weight of root plant−1 (159.17 mg), dry weight of shoot plant−1 (3319.33 mg) and number of pods plant−1 (62) was observed at F6 treatment. The highest 1000-seed weight (31.68 g) were recorded at F2 treatment. The highest weight of nodules plant−1 (10.33 mg at 60 DAS), seed yield (2.62 t ha−1), straw yield (2.12 t ha−1) and biological yield (4.74 t ha−1) were found at F3 treatment. The highest plant height (38.45 cm), number of branches plant−1 (7), number of pods plant−1 (63), seed yield (2.91 t ha−1) and harvest index (58.65%) were recorded at V2F6 whereas the highest weight of nodules plant-1 (26 mg), straw yield (2.22 t ha−1) and biological yield (5.02 t ha−1) were found at V1F3 but the highest 1000-seed weight (34.87 g) at V1F1. The highest number of seeds pod−1 (1.83) was found at V2F1. So, two varieties showed similar performance on yield. Foliar application of Zn has the potentiality to increase seed yield. The variety Binamasur-8 with 50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn and B (F6) as foliar spray could bring maximum yield (2.91 t ha−1) of lentil followed by treatment F2, F3, and F4. Introduction Pulses are vital components in diversification of Bangladesh’s predominantly rice-based cropping system. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is an important source of nutritional security, protein content of 18-30% and essential micronutrients, e.g., Fe, Zn and β-carotene for improving health of humans and domestic animals (Togay et al., 2015; Bhatty, 1988). Lentil area and production in Bangladesh was about 1.41 lakh ha and 1.77 metric tons with an average yield of 1.26 t ha−1 which contributed about 35% to the total pulses production in Bangladesh (BBS, 2021). Variation of seed yield and other yield attributes of lentil for different varieties were reported by Khatun et al. (2021) and Zaman et al. (2022). Singh and Bhatt (2013) reported that micronutrients required in small amount but contributed significantly on seed yield of lentil (16.2%) by increasing the growth and uptake of nutrients. Combined use of different micro and macronutrients can augment seed yield by 55 to 60%, of which 20 to 25% could be ascribed to the micronutrients (Islam et al., 2018). Hossain et al. (2020) reported the highest nutrient uptake, maximum nodulation (at 68 DAS, 63.5 plant−1) and the highest protein content (26.6%) in seed from the micronutrients (Zn, B and Mo) application in lentil. Foliar application of micronutrients was 6 to 20 times more useful than the soil application and improves the nutrition (Arif et al., 2006). Foliar application of Zn reduces the micronutrient deficiencies and it was an efficient method because nutrients are easily absorbed through leaves and is best option to 35 Kumar et al. compensate micronutrient deficiencies in shorter period of time under rainfed regions (Nasiri et al., 2010). Combined application of Zn and B significantly increased the plant height, root length, leaf area index, shoot and root dry weight and chlorophyll content (Panhwar et al., 2011). Therefore, the study was undertaken to compare the yield and other attributes of two lentil varieties and determine the effect of Zn and B on lentil yield and also find out the interaction of variety and micronutrient (Zn and B) management on growth and yield of lentil. Materials and Methods The experiment was conducted during November 2021 to April 2022 at the Agronomy field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. The seeds of lentil var. BARI Masur- 8 and Binamasur-8 were used as plant materials and the seeds were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur and Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh, respectively. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. The treatments were two variety viz., i) BARI Masur-8 (V1) and ii) Binamasur-8 (V2) in the main-plot and six different fertilizer management viz., i) No fertilizer (F1); ii) Recommended N, P, K, and S (RFD) with Zn as basal (F2); iii) RFD with Zn as foliar spray (F3); iv) RFD with Zn and B as foliar spray (F4); v) 50% RFD + 50% cow dung (F5), and vi) 50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn and B as foliar spray (F6) in the sub-plot. The basal recommended dose i.e., urea (45 Kg ha−1), TSP (90 Kg ha−1), MoP (40 Kg ha−1), Gypsum (55 Kg ha−1), ZnSO4 (10 Kg ha−1) and Boric Acid (10 Kg ha−1) along with cow dung (5 t ha−1) were used in the experiment as per treatment during final land preparation. The foliar application of Zn and B were applied as per treatment during flower initiation. The seeds of BARI Masur-8 and Binamasur-8 were sown by hand in 30 cm apart lines with continuous spacing at about 3 cm depth on 24 November, 2021. Irrigation was given to each plot, first irrigation as pre-sowing and other two irrigations 3 days before weeding. Two hand weeding were done for all the treatments on 15 and 30 DAS. The field was infested by different insects and diseases those controlled by applying appropriate ways in time. Five plants plot−1 was randomly selected for collecting plant height, number of branch plant−1, dry weight of root and shoot at stipulated dates. The inner six lines were harvested for recording yield and yield attributes data. The seed yield and straw yield were recorded at 12% moisture level. Statistical analyses were done by using the CropStat computer package and the mean differences among the treatments were compared by least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% level of significance following Gomez and Gomez (1984). Results and Discussion Effect of variety All the studied characters showed non-significant variation between the two varieties except 1000-seed weight where BARI Masur-8 (34.16 g) showed higher 1000-seed weight compared to that of Binamasur-8 (28.28 g) (Table 1-3). Similar variation of 1000-seed weight of lentil varieties was also found by Zaman et al. (2022) and Khatun et al. (2021). Effect of micronutrient management The fertilizer treatments showed significant variations on most of the studied parameters where the highest plant height (37.09 cm), branches plant−1 (7), shoot dry weight plant−1 (3319.33 mg), pods plant−1 (62) were recorded from the F6 (50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn and B as foliar spray) treatment but the lowest result given by F1 (no fertilizer) treatment (Table 1-3). Table 1. Plant height of lentil as affected by micronutrient management in different growth stages of lentil Growth and yield of lentil as influenced by zinc and boron management 36 Treatments Plant height (cm) 30 DAS 55 DAS 80 DAS Harvest Variety V1 14.44 26.52 32.59 34.57 V2 13.47 25.52 31.07 34.51 LSD(0.05) NS NS NS NS CV (%) 8.54 5.33 11.06 9.43 Micronutrient (Zn and B) management F1 13.11b 25.48 31.12ab 32.60b F2 13.92ab 25.52 31.27ab 33.53b F3 15.14a 25.79 30.90b 34.95ab F4 14.46ab 26.49 31.40ab 34.45ab F5 13.65b 26.03 32.60ab 34.60ab F6 13.46b 26.81 33.70a 37.09a LSD(0.05) 1.425 NS 2.588 3.424 CV (%) 8.48 6.11 6.75 8.23 Interaction V1F1 13.37bcd 25.52ab 31.10abc 32.67b V1F2 14.27abcd 25.30ab 32.87ab 34.20ab V1F3 15.76a 26.98ab 32.80ab 35.50ab V1F4 15.06ab 27.27ab 31.63abc 34.23ab V1F5 14.92ab 26.41ab 33.47a 35.07ab V1F6 13.27bcd 27.65a 33.67a 35.73ab V2F1 12.86cd 25.43ab 31.15abc 32.53b V2F2 13.56bcd 25.74ab 29.67bc 32.87b V2F3 14.53abc 24.61b 29.00c 34.40ab V2F4 13.85abcd 25.71ab 31.17abc 34.67ab V2F5 12.37d 25.65ab 31.73abc 34.13ab V2F6 13.66bcd 25.97ab 33.73a 38.45a LSD(0.05) 2.015 2.709 3.660 4.842 CV (%) 8.48 6.11 6.75 8.23 Note: NS= Non-significant; V1: BARI Masur-8, V2: Binamasur-8, F1: Control (No fertilizer), F2: Recommended fertilizer dose of N, P, K, and S (RFD) with Zn as basal, F3: RFD with Zn as foliar spray, F4: RFD with Zn and B as foliar spray, F5: 50% RFD + 50% cow dung, F6 : 50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn and B as foliar spray The highest 1000-seed weight (31.68 g) was recorded from the F2 (Recommended fertilizer dose of N, P, K, and S (RFD) with Zn as basal) treatment but the lowest result given by F3 (RFD with Zn as foliar spray) treatment (Table 3). The highest seed yield (2.62 t ha−1), straw yield (2.12 t ha−1) and biological yield (4.74 t ha−1) was recorded from the F3 treatment those similar to F6 treatment but the lowest result given by F1 treatment for most of the studied parameters (Table 3). Table 2. Effect of variety and micronutrient management on growth and yield attributes of lentil Treatments Branches plant−1 (No.) Shoot dry wright plant−1 (mg) Pods plant−1 (No.) Pod length (cm) Seeds pod−1 (No.) Variety V1 5.64 2837.17 55.42 1.17 1.71 V2 5.72 2665.83 48.54 1.18 1.73 LSD(0.05) NS NS NS NS NS CV (%) 15.38 22.46 16.76 34.08 32.98 37 Kumar et al. Micronutrient (Zn and B) management F1 5.43b 2065.17c 47.53ab 1.19 1.73 F2 5.57b 2762.50abc 45.30b 1.18 1.72 F3 5.50b 2575.67abc 52.00ab 1.16 1.70 F4 5.43b 3238.33ab 49.17ab 1.15 1.62 F5 5.13b 2548.00abc 55.53ab 1.19 1.78 F6 7.03a 3319.33a 62.37a 1.17 1.78 LSD(0.05) 1.093 1158.84 15.439 NS NS CV (%) 15.97 34.97 24.66 6.73 29.46 Interaction V1F1 5.73bc 1934.00 48.40ab 1.20 1.62ab V1F2 5.53bc 2348.33 50.53ab 1.16 1.70ab V1F3 5.20bc 2815.67 61.00ab 1.16 1.67ab V1F4 5.27bc 3318.00 53.93ab 1.15 1.70ab V1F5 5.47bc 3054.67 57.13ab 1.20 1.77ab V1F6 6.67ab 3552.33 61.53ab 1.17 1.79ab V2F1 5.13bc 2196.33 46.67ab 1.18 1.83a V2F2 5.60bc 3176.67 40.07b 1.21 1.73ab V2F3 5.80bc 2335.67 43.00ab 1.17 1.73ab V2F4 5.60bc 3158.67 44.40ab 1.15 1.53b V2F5 4.80c 2041.33 53.93ab 1.18 1.80ab V2F6 7.40a 3086.33 63.20a 1.17 1.77ab LSD(0.05) 1.546 NS 21.835 NS 0.273 CV (%) 15.97 34.97 24.66 6.73 29.46 Note: NS= Non-significant; V1 : BARI Masur-8, V2 : Binamasur-8, F1 : Control (No fertilizer), F2 : Recommended fertilizer dose of N, P, K, and S (RFD) with Zn as basal, F3 : RFD with Zn as foliar spray, F4 : RFD with Zn and B as foliar spray, F5 : 50% RFD + 50% cow dung, F6 : 50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn and B as foliar spray Hossain et al. (2020) reported 44% higher yield of lentil using micronutrient and the increased lentil yield might be associated with increased nodulation and nutrient uptake by the crop under micronutrient-applied treatments. Significant effect of Zn and B on plant height of lentil was reported by Quddus et al. (2014), branches plant−1 by Paul et al. (2019), shoot dry weight plant−1 by Singh and Bhatt (2013), pods plant−1, seeds pod−1, 1000-seed weight and seed yield by Quddus et al. (2014) and biological yield by Khurana and Sanjay (2012). Interaction of variety and micronutrient management The treatment combination of V2F6 (Binamasur-8 and 50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn and B as foliar spray) showed the highest plant height (38.45 cm), number of branches plant−1 (7.40), number of pods plant−1 (63.20), seed yield (2.91 t ha−1), and harvest index (58.65%) compared to that of other interactions whereas the highest number of seeds pod−1 (1.83) by V2F1 (Binamasur-8 and no fertilizer), 1000-seed weight (34.87) by V1F1 (BARI Masur-8 and no fertilizer), straw yield (2.22 t ha−1 ) and biological yield (5.02 t ha−1) by V1F3 (BARI Masur-8 and RFD with Zn as foliar spray) treatment combinations (Table 1-3). The lowest parameters were recorded from V2F1 (Binamasiur-8 and no fertilizer application) interactions having plant height (32.53 cm) and straw yield (1.63 t ha−1) compared to that of other interactions whereas the number of branches plant−1 (4.80) and harvest index (53.13%) by V2F5 (Binamasur-8 and 50% RFD + 50% cow dung), number of pods plant−1 (40) by V2F2 (Binamasur- 8 and recommended fertilizer dose of N, P, K, and S (RFD) with Zn as basal), number of seeds pod−1 (1.53) by V2F4 (Binamasur-8 and RFD with Zn and B as foliar spray), 1000-seed weight (27.13) by V2F3 (Binamasur-8 and RFD with Zn as foliar spray), seed yield (1.96 t ha−1) and biological yield (3.69 t ha−1) by V1F4 (BARI Masur-8 and RFD with Zn and B as foliar spray) treatment combinations (Table 1-3). Table 3. Effect of variety and micronutrient (Zn and B) management on seed weight and yield of lentil Treatments 1000-seed wt. (g) Seed yield (t ha−1) Straw yield (t ha−1) Biological yield (t ha−1) Harvest index (%) Growth and yield of lentil as influenced by zinc and boron management 38 Variety V1 34.16a 2.37 1.94 4.31 54.95 V2 28.28b 2.47 1.97 4.43 55.77 LSD(0.05) 3.129 NS NS NS NS CV (%) 6.99 15.41 20.44 9.98 9.68 Micronutrient (Zn and B) management F1 31.60ab 2.15b 1.71b 3.86b 55.88 F2 31.68a 2.53a 2.01ab 4.54a 55.85 F3 30.22c 2.62a 2.12a 4.74a 55.22 F4 31.57ab 2.22b 1.91ab 4.13ab 54.08 F5 31.37ab 2.41ab 1.97ab 4.38ab 55.25 F6 30.88abc 2.57a 2.01ab 4.58a 55.90 LSD(0.05) 0.928 0.358 0.338 0.625 NS CV (%) 2.47 38.91 45.44 11.88 5.39 Interaction V1F1 34.87a 2.09de 1.79abc 3.89bc 53.73a-d V1F2 34.57abc 2.64abc 2.13ab 4.78a 55.62a-d V1F3 33.30c 2.79ab 2.22a 5.02a 55.52a-d V1F4 34.77ab 1.96e 1.74bc 3.69c 53.32bcd V1F5 33.93abc 2.48a-d 1.79abc 4.27abc 58.36ab V1F6 33.50bc 2.24cde 1.96abc 4.20abc 53.16cd V2F1 28.33de 2.20cde 1.63c 3.83bc 58.03abc V2F2 28.80d 2.41a-e 1.89abc 4.29abc 56.07a-d V2F3 27.13e 2.45a-e 2.01abc 4.46abc 54.91a-d V2F4 28.37de 2.48a-d 2.07abc 4.56ab 54.83a-d V2F5 28.80d 2.35cde 2.15ab 4.49abc 53.13d V2F6 28.25de 2.91a 2.05abc 4.96a 58.65a LSD(0.05) 1.313 0.506 0.478 0.884 5.087 CV (%) 2.47 38.91 45.44 11.88 5.39 Note: NS= Non-significant; V1 : BARI Masur-8, V2 : Binamasur-8, F1 : Control (No fertilizer), F2 : Recommended fertilizer dose of N, P, K, and S (RFD) with Zn as basal, F3 : RFD with Zn as foliar spray, F4 : RFD with Zn and B as foliar spray, F5 : 50% RFD + 50% cow dung, F6 : 50% RFD + 50% cow dung + Zn & B as foliar spray Zinc being essential nutrient plays a significant role in stomatal regulation and reducing the tensions of less water by creating ionic balance in plants system (Baybordi, 2006) and is involved in various physiological processes such as synthesis of protein and carbohydrates (Yadavi et al., 2014). Similarly, B application improves growth, and enhances stress tolerance in plants and improves grain production (Hussain et al., 2012). Both Zn and B plays an important role in the basic plant functions like photosynthesis, protein and chlorophyll synthesis (Cakmak, 2008). Conclusion The varieties showed similar performance on most of the parameters except 1000-seed weight. Foliar application of Zn and B showed the potentiality to increase seed yield and hence application of Zn and B reflected their effectiveness on lentil cultivation. The variety Binamasur-8 with 50% recommended fertilizer dose + 50% cow dung + Zn and B as foliar spray could bring maximum yield (2.91 t ha−1) of lentil. As the experiment was conducted on one year and in one Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ), it is suggested to conduct more study in longer period of times and in different AEZ before final recommendation. 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