Abstract
Seven improved cultivars of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.) were evaluated at 0 (original Zn deficient soil), 5 and 50 ppm Zn levels under greenhouse conditions. Plants were harvested at 6 weeks after sowing and at maturity. Responses to 5 ppm Zn in shoot at 6 weeks of growth, and in leaf, stem, pod-hull and grain at maturity ranged from 63 to 387, 37 to 116, 15 to 73,9 to 145 and 51 to 200%, respectively. Application of 50 ppm Zn in most of the cultivars did not markedly affect the yield of different plant parts. Zinc concentration at 0 Zn level in shoot at 6 weeks of growth and in leaf, stem, pod-hull and grain of different genotypes varied from 9.8 to 14.5, 13.7 to 21.2, 10.8 to 16.7, 4.17 to 5.83 and 9.2 to 16.7 ppm, respectively, and the increase in concentration with 5 ppm applied Zn ranged from 28 to 248, 28 to 89, 27 to 85, 20 to 142, and 105 to 254 per cent, respectively. The concentration further increased with an increase in Zn level to 50 ppm. There was less variation in the yield and tissue Zn concentration of different genotypes after Zn application. Phosphorus concentration at 0 Zn level in shoot at 6 weeks of growth, and in leaf, stem, pod-hull and grain of different genotypes varied from 0.50 to 0.71, 0.18 to 0.31, 0.11 to 0.24, 0.15 to 0.20 and 0.43 to 0.58% respectively. Zinc decreased P in all plant parts but relative decrease was more in vegetative parts than in grain. The variability in Zn response among pigeon pea genotypes could partly be attributed to the maintenance of proper P/Zn balance in metabolically active plant parts, such as, leaf, and partly to their capacity to exploit soil Zn and to translocate it to the above-ground parts.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Literature Cited
Ambler, J. E. and Brown, J. C. 1969 Cause of differential susceptibility to Zinc deficiency in two varieties of navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Agron. J.,61, 41–43.
Kanwar, J. S. and Chopra, S. L. 1967 Practical Agricultural Chemistry. S. Chand & Co., Delhi. 29–107.
Koenig, R. A. and Johnson, C. R. 1942 Colorimetric determination of phosphorus in biological materials. Ind. Eng. Chem. (Anal. Ed.)14, 155–158.
Lindsay, W. L. and Norvell, W. A. 1978 Development of DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.42, 421–428.
Prasad, K. G., Shukla, U. C. and Safaya, N. M. 1971 Effect of Zn application on P concentration and uptake in maize. Indian J. Agric. Sci.41, 1068–1073.
Safaya, N. M. and Singh, B. 1977 Differential susceptibility of two varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.), Walp) to phosphorus — induced zinc deficiency. Plant and Soil48, 279–290.
Shukla, U. C. and Raj, Hans 1974 Influence of genetic variability on zinc response in wheat (Triticum spp.) Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc.38, 477–479.
Shukla, U. C. and Raj, Hans 1976 Zinc response in corn as influenced by genetic variability. Agron. J.68, 20–21.
Shukla, U. C. and Prasad, K. G. 1979 Sulphur-zinc interactions in groundnut. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci.27, 60–64.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Contribution from the Department of Soils, Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar (India).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shukla, U.C., Raj, H. Zinc response in pigeon pea as influenced by genotypic variability. Plant Soil 57, 323–333 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211690
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211690