EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON … · 2018-12-15 · C O N T E N T S Sl. No. Chapter Particulars LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF PLATES 1 INTRODUCTION 2

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON SEED YIELD, QUALITY AND STORABILITY IN

SOYBEAN [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

Thesis submitted to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE (AGRICULTURE)

IN

SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

By

SHRUTHI B. M

DEPARTMENT OF SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, DHARWAD

UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, DHARWAD – 580 005

JUNE, 2013

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

DHARWAD (D. S. UPPAR) JUNE, 2013 MAJOR ADVISOR

Approved by :

Chairman : ____________________________ (D. S. UPPAR)

Members : 1. __________________________ (S. S. CHANDRASHEKHAR)

2. __________________________ (B. M. RADDER)

3. __________________________ (J. C. MATHAD)

C O N T E N T S

Sl. No.

Chapter Particulars

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF PLATES

1 INTRODUCTION

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Role of micronutrients

3 MATERIAL AND METHODS

3.1 General Description

3.2 Experiment-I : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield, quality and storability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

3.3 Experiment-II : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on storability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

3.4 Statistical analysis

4 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

4.1 Experiment – I : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on growth, seed yield and quality

4.2 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed storability of soybean

5 DISCUSSION

5.1 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients

5.2 Experiment II: Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed storability of soybean

6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

REFERENCES

LIST OF TABLES

Table No.

Title

1 Physical and chemical properties of soil in the experimental site

2

Monthly meteorological data for the experimental year 2012-13 and the average of 61 years (1950-2011) at Meteorological Observatory, Main Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

3 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant and leaf area index in soybean (30, 45 DAS and at harvest)

4 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity

5 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod of soybean

6 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield per plant (g), seed yield per plot (kg) and seed yield (q/ha) of soybean

7 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on 100 seed weight (g), germination (%), shoot length (cm), root length (cm), seedling dry weight (mg), seedling vigour index and oil content (%) in soybean

8 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on germination of soybean

9 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on 100 seed weight (g) of soybean

10 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on root length (cm) of soybean

11 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on shoot length (cm) of soybean

12 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling length (cm) of soybean

13 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling vigour index

14 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling dry weight (mg) of soybean

15 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on oil content (%) of soybean

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No.

Title

1 Plan of layout of experiment

2 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on days to 50 per cent flowering in soybean

3 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on days to maturity in soybean

4 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on number of pods per plant in soybean

5 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield (kg/ha) in soybean

6 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on germination (%) of soybean

7 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling vigour index

8 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on oil content (%) of soybean

LIST OF PLATES

Plate No.

Title

1 General view of the experimental plot

2 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on pod growth stage

INTRODUCTION

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a pulse and oil seed crop and it is believed to be originated in North Eastern China and later on it distributed over Asia, USA, Brazil etc. It stands 3

ed,

among the nine oilseed crops, next only to groundnut in production in the country. This crop was apparently called as “Golden Bean or Miracle Crop” of 20

th century because of its higher nutritive

value with 43 per cent biological protein, 20 per cent oil and is also very rich in vitamins, iron, mineral, salts and essential amino acids. Soyflour is extensively used in the manufacture of insecticides, disinfectants, and also rich media in culturing antibiotics. The soybean protein is rich in lysine and oil extracted is edible with fairly high unsaturated fatty acids. Consumption of soybean may also reduce the risk of colon cancer, possibly due to the presence of sphingolipids. Soybean crop nourishes soil by fixing the atmospheric nitrogen and through the addition of organic matter in the form of leaves at maturity.

In world, soybean occupies about 91.29 m ha area with the annual production of 220 m tonnes and productivity of 2190 kg ha

-1. India stands 5

th position in the world and occupies 3

rd position

among the nine oilseed crops grown in India. It is grown over an area of 88.97 lakh ha with the production of 125 lakh tonnes and productivity of 1.35 q ha

-1 (Anon., 2011). In India, major soybean

growing states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uattar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, with an extraction of 5.5 - 6.0 lakh tonnes of oil. In Karnataka, it is grown over an area of 1.54 lakh ha accounting to 1.14 lakh tonnes and the productivity of 650 kg/ha (Anon., 2011). It is mainly grown in the districts like Belgaum, Dharwad, Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Gadag and Haveri. In recent years the commercial area under soybean crop is increasing in large scale. One of the major impediments in soybean cultivation and production is the timely supply and availability of good quality seed to the farmers.

To increase the productivity of soybean, it is necessary to provide adequate nutrition to the plant for growth and development. Plant nutrition plays an important role for enhancing seed yield and quality in soybean. Nitrogen is one of the major components of nucleic acid, co-enzymes and cell membranes and it is involved in many of the metabolic processes viz., cell division, photosynthesis, protein synthesis and expansion of shoot and root growth in plants and has active role during

vegetative growth. Potassium functions mainly on regulation and maintenance of electrochemical equilibrium in cells and other compartments and regulation of enzyme activities. It also involved in carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis, regulation of activities of various essential elements, adjustment of stomatal functions and water relations.

Apart from major nutrients, micronutrients also play an important role in seed production. Essential micronutrients like Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B and Mg play an important role in maintaining the growth and development of the crop. Furthermore, these elements play vital role in CO2 flowing out, improvement in vitamin A and immune system activities. Certain micronutrients help to secure uniform emergence, rapid seedling growth and healthy plant stand. Foliar spraying of microelements is very helpful when the roots can not provide necessary nutrients. Because of the soil properties such as high pH, lime or heavy texture, crop roots are unable to absorb some important micro nutrients like zinc, boron etc. Foliar spraying of these nutrients may help the plant to uptake nutrients better than soil application. Generally, the plant requires a wide variety of elements to improve the growth and yield. Among these, boron is an essential element required for proper pollen grain development and translocation of sugar and Zn helps in enhancing seedling vigour and seed development whereas KNO3 confers resistance to certain diseases and tolerance to drought conditions.

Micronutrients like zinc and boron are essential for plant growth and metabolism. Zinc in the ionic form (Zn++) or in form of a complex with a chelating agent e.g., EDTA, is taken up by the plants. Salts or complexes of zinc are easily absorbed directly through leaves. Hence, their foliar spray is used for correcting zinc deficiency. The symptoms of zinc deficiency appear generally in younger leaves, starting with interveinal chlorosis leading to a reduction in shoot growth and shortening of internodes, mottle leaf, little leaf etc. The important function of zinc in plants is a metal activator of enzymes. Due to lack of boron, there is hypertrophy, degeneration and disintegration of cambium cells in the meristematic tissues. Thus, necrosis of tissues is the most important symptom of boron deficiency. Borax is associated in development of cell wall, cell differentiation, root elongation and shoot growth. It has has been involved in carbohydrate synthesis, uptake of Ca

2+ and absorption of

NO3 -. Boron is essential not only for the formation of the pollen and ovary, but also for the

subsequent development of the seed. The maturation of seeds is impaired in the absence of boron.

Among the alternate methods of plant nutrient application, foliar nutrition of micronutrients is one of the possibilities of improving productivity and increasing fertilizer use efficiency and reduce environmental hazards, besides it is simple and does not need much infrastructure facilities. Foliar spray of micronutrients helps in efficient utilization of nutrients to plants directly through leaves within few days we can realise the effect of micronutrient spray

Keeping all these factors in view and considering their importance in enhancing the seed yield and quality, the present investigation was planned to investigate the “Influence of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield, quality and storability in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) CV DSb-1” with following objectives

1. To know the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield and its components.

2. To know the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed quality parameters.

3. To know the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed storability.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Role of micronutrients

Micronutrients are important in plant biochemistry as constituents of enzymes and hormones which control biological metabolic processes such as respiration, energy exchange and synthesis of chlorophyll, carbohydrates and proteins. The availability of micronutrient depends on their abundance in their forms, which can be assimilated by the plant mechanism by which the concentration in solution can be maintained. Availability of the micronutrients is also influenced by soil pH. Some of the reviews on micronutrients pertaining to Zinc, Boron, Potassium nitrate and other with reference to soybean and related crops are reviewed here under. The practice of foliar feeding with plant nutrients gives quick benefits and economizes nutrient element as compared to soil application (Verma and Sahani, 1963). Foliar feeding is often effective when roots are unable to absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil due to a high degree of fixation, losses due to leaching, low soil temperature and lack of soil moisture (Singh et al., 1970).

2.1.1 Influence of foliar micro nutrients on plant growth parameters

Berger (1949) classified that alfa-alfa and clover under high requirement of boron for their growth and development. Datta and Gurubasavaraj (1955) observed that boron could increase the nodulation of berseem and there was increase in the total yield. Blany et al (1981) observed that boron application increases boron concentration in leaves at early pod fill stage, but had no benefit of vegetative growth in groundnut. Boron plays a regulatory role in carbon metabolism cell division and cell elongation (Cohen and Lepper, 1977). The critical concentration of boron was estimated to be one ppm in forage legumes (Sherrell,1983).The plant height of soybean was increased with the application of boron @ 1 kg/ha, zinc @ 5 kg/ha and sulphur @ 20 kg/ha (Restrepos, 1987). The maximum plant height (35.0 cm), number of leaves per plant (14.6), number of branches per plant (4.3) and leaf area per plant (941.2 cm

2) were obtained with 75 ppm molybdenum + 2.5 ppm

boron treatment in French bean (Padma et al., 1989).

The plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, leaf area per plant was significantly higher in 2.5 ppm boron treatment in french bean (Padma et al., 1989).Singh et al. (1994) reported that foliar application of zinc resulted in more vigorous vegetative growth and early flowering in vegetable pea. Selim (1992) reported that the crop growth rate, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate were higher with spraying of 0.1 per cent ZnSO4 in soybean. Wv and Xiao (1992) reported that low concentration of zinc (0.3 ppm) increased plant height, number of branches and green leaves in soybean. Upadhyay (1994) reported that the plants sprayed with KNO3 (100, 200 and 300 ppm) sprayed at bud initiation and pod formation stages of chickpea showed higher plant height, number of branches, number of flower buds, number of flowers, vegetative growth and yield.

Application of FeSO4 and ZnSO4 has significantly increased the nodule number and nodule dry weight per plant in soybean (Bhanavase et al., 1994). The application of zinc increased plant height of soybean (Wang et al., 1995). Singh and Yadav (1997) reported that application of zinc sulphate 5 kg per ha increased the plant height, primary branches per plant, and functional leaves per plant in greengram. Rodrigues et al. (1997) reported that boron deficiency decreased the dry matter accumulation in soybean. Application of zinc individually increased LAI in groundnut (Tripathy et al., 1999).

Singh et al. (1998) revealed that the more plant height (28.5 cm), number of branches (5.5) and number of leaves (12.8) were obtained with foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 per cent while, control showed less plant height (27.7 cm), number of branches (5.3) and number of leaves (12.2) in mungbean. Application of ZnSO4, Mo either individually or in combination was also effective and resulted in increased nodule number and nodule. Singh et al. (1998) reported that foliar spray of boron @ 0.1 per cent in mungbean increased the plant height (29.3 cm), number of branches (6.3) and number of leaves (12.6) as against control (27.7 cm, 5.31 and 12.2), respectively Foliar spray of ZnSO4 individually increased the dry matter production in groundnut (Christopher et al., 1997).

Ullagaddi (2000) indicated that, the foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.1%) plus Boron (0.1%) in combination (50 ppm) significantly increased the number of squares, flowers and matured bolls per plant and highest seed yield. Govindan and Thirumurugan (2000) revealed that growth parameters like plant height, LAI and dry matter production in greengram were significantly higher with foliar treatments of KNO3 (1%) or KCl (1%) and their combinations.

Foliar application of 0.5 per cent ZnSO4 at 40 DAS and 0.25 per cent borax at 50 DAS produced the highest dry weight and seed yield (1210 kg) with highest net returns in groundnut (Sudarshan and Ramaswami, 1993, Tripathy et al., 1999). Prabhu (2000) indicated that the application of micro nutrients on growth regulators significantly increased relative growth rate and crop growth rate in blackgram crop.

Hugar and Kurdikeri (2000) reported that the application of 0.5 per cent zinc sulphate increased the plant height (34.4 cm) and number of leaves (45.6) in soybean. Basole et al. (2003) conducted an experiment at Nagpur and results indicated that application of 50% and RDF and ZnSO4 @ 0.5% in soybean significantly increases number of pods, number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plot over 100% RDF. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) to vegetable pea produced highest plant height (43.2cm) over control (40.2 cm) (Raghav and Sharma, 2003). Sarkar and Aery (1990)

noticed increased root and shoot growth and leaf area with the soil application of 10 µg per g Zn in soybean

Krishnaveni et al. (2004) observed that foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.5%) at 15, 30 and 45 DAS recorded the maximum plant height and chlorophyll content in greengram on clay loam soils at Agriculture College and Research Institute, Madurai. Macha (2004) recorded higher plant height (88.96 cm) in cluster bean cv. Navabahar with foliar application of boron (0.1 %) compared to MnSO4 and control (84.50 and 73.56 cm). Foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) increased the plant height, number of leaves and branches per plant significantly increased seed yield and its attributes over other treatments in pigeonpea (Varma et.al., 2004).

2.1.1.2 Influence of foliar micro nutrients on yield and its parameters

Shukla et al. (1983) reported that foliar application of B + Mo leads to the significantly higher oil values as compare to the Zn + B +Mo along with recommended NPK and FYM applied treatments in rai.

Chandel et al. (1989) observed an increased number of seeds, pods per plant and thousand seed weight of soybean by the application of trace elements (Zn & B). Zubal (1980) reported that seed yield of lucerne significantly increased by 18.31 kg per ha with foliar application of boron. Further, he opined that foliar spray of boron (250-500 g/ha) applied at flowering and seed filling stage gave 0.5 ton per ha more seed yield over control in lucerne.

Sidhu et al. (1980) concluded that the foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.5%) recorded maximum fruit weight and yield over other treatments in peech. Das and Sarkar (1981) revealed that post flowering foliar spray with KNO3 (0.5 %) solution gave higher yield of both grain and straw in rice and wheat. Hallock and Porter (1981) recorded the highest yield with the application of zinc (20 kg/ha) in peanut. Similarly, the application of zinc (20 kg/ha) in medium black soil improved the plant growth nodulation and pod in groundnut (Kulkarni et al., 1989) and such similar results were reported by Galaro (1989) in soybean with the application of ZnSO4.

Sherrell (1983) reported that the application of boron at (3 ppm) increased the seed yield of lucerne Mishra et al. (1985) recorded that the addition of B along with recommended doses of N, P, K increased seed yield and thousand seed weight in sunflower. Foliar spray of boron @ 250-500 g/ha applied at flowering and seed filling stage gave 0.5 ton per ha more seed yield over control in lucerne (Sinha, 1986). Kuldeep Singh and Bhobria (1987) reported that the highest dry matter yields were obtained at 10 ppm Zn and. Shoot yield increased with Zn application upto 5 ppm (Gupta and Patalia, 1987).

Galrao (1989) reported increase in seed yield of soybean with the application of boron @ 1 kg per ha as compared to control.Chandel et al. (1989) observed increase in seeds, pods per plant and 1000-seed weight of soybean by the application of trace elements (Zn, Fe, B). Increase in yield was noticed with 0.1 per cent ZnSO4, in soybean (Selim, 1992 and Singh et al.,1997).

One ppm of boron increased the flower formation and seed set in red clover, it helps in transloction of sugar from vegetative to reproductive organs and thus increased the seed yield (Sherrell, 1983). Application of boron and sucrose improved the embryo survival up to three day after pollination in lucerne (Rene, 1988).

Sarkar and Mukhopadhyay (1990) reported that foliar spray of 0.5 per cent KNO3 solution at 50 per cent flowering stage significantly increased the grain yield of high yielding and traditional cultivars by 49.1 and 19.3 per cent, respectively over control in rice. Khan et al. (1990) reported the increased in seed yield and yield attributes in sunflower due to Boron application at seed filling stage.

Dwivedi et al. (1990) in their field experiment on soybean at Ranichuri, UP recorded the highest seed yield (13.8 q ha-1) with 0.5 per cent zinc foliar spray over control (8.8 q ha).Increase in yield was noticed with foliar spray of 0.1 per cent ZnSO4 in soybean over control (Selim, 1992).

Tiwari and Yadava (1990) reported that foliar application of boron (1ppm ) at 45 days old plants of siratro recorded highest number of pods (65.00), length of pods (8.69 cm). Number of seed per pods (12.00), 1000 seed weight (16.23). Thus, resulted in higher seed yield (29.70 kg/ha) and the per cent increase was 39% over control. Noor et al. (1997) reported that the application of borex as foliar spray @2.5 kg per ha after 30 days after sowing significantly increased the pod yield and seed yield per ha.

Singh and Verma (1991) observed that, in tomato soil application of boron (2 kg/ha), potassium (120 kg/ha) and zinc (10 kg/ha) in combination were found to be most effective and produced the higher yield of marketable fruits (285.04 q/ha) compared to control (266.92 q/ha). Shinde et al. (1991) observed that foliar spray of KNO3 in cowpea increased the pod yield per plant, weight of individual pod and ultimately resulted in elevating the seed yield by 33 per cent. Kushwaha (1993) concluded that the application of zinc (0.5%) significantly increased the seed yield as compared to control in urdbean.

Bhanavase et al. (1994) found that the application of 25 kg ZnSO4 per ha significantly increased the seed yield (4.41 g/plant) in soybean over control (2.50 g/plant). Higher yield (18.50 g/ha) of soybean was obtained with application of 15 kg ZnSO4 per ha (Gupta and Vyas, 1994). Singh and Singh (1994) reported that curd yield of cauliflower (367.5 q/ha) significantly increased with the application of boron at the rate of 1 kg per ha compared to control. Sharma (1995) concluded that boron exhibited pronounced beneficial effect on number of fruits per plant (23.1), fruit yield (762.7 q/ha) and seed yield (246.2 kg/ha) with the soil application of 20 kg borox per ha compared to 10 kg borax per ha (18.9, 635.7 q/ha and 176.5 kg, respectively) in tomato. Wang et al. (1995) also reported an increase in seed weight, seed number per plant and 100-seed weight due to the application of ZnSO4 in soybean.

Krishna (1995) obtained more number of pods per plant and higher seed yield (1206 and 1239 kg per ha respectively) in mungbean with application of 60 kg sulphur + 15 kg zinc sulphate per hectare. In a field experiment on mungbean, Singh et al. (1998) recorded highest number of pods per plant (33.1), pod weight per plant (18.4 g), seeds per pod (9.2) and seed yield (12.13 q ha-1) with 0.5 per cent ZnSO4 foliar spray while, the control had the lowest number of pods per plant (26.6), pod weight per plant (12.6 g), seeds per pod (8.1) and seed yield (988 kg/ha). Gupta et al. (1999) reported that, seed yield increased with increase in application of zinc from 0 to 10 mg per kg soil in lentil, methi, gram and peas (125%, 63%, 37% and 22%, respectively) over control.

Jayarami Reddy et al. (1996) reported that foliar spray of KNO3 (0.5%) recorded the maximum seed yield (8.57q/ha) in pigeon pea over control (7.35q/ha). Zhu Hongxun et al. (1996) concluded that the foliar application of boron at seedling and internode elongation stages gave better results than seed treatment or basal application. Concentration of boron in the spray solution in the range of 0.1-0.25 per cent increased seed yield significantly in rape, 0.2 per cent being the optimum concentration with a 17.8 per cent yield increase over the control. Prasad et al. (1997) reported that foliar application of boron @2.5 kg per ha during full vegetative growth (25-30 days after transplanting) recorded highest yield of 143.06 quintal per ha in tomato. Singh et al. (1998) conducted a pot experiment in calcareous soils to study the effect of micronutrient on yield of groundnut, foliar application of boron @ 2 kg per ha at 20, 40 and 60 days after emergence increased the pod and fodder yield of groundnut.

Singh et al. (1998) recorded the maximum pod weight (15.7 g), pods per plant (32), seeds per pod (8.5) and seed yield (1293 kg/ ha) when mungbean crop was sprayed with 0.1 per cent boron compared to control (12.6 g, 26.6, 8.1 and 988 kg/ ha respectively). Rathinavel et al. (1999) reported that the number of sympodia per plant (30.0%), number of bolls per plant (39.2%), boll weight (49.8%), seed weight per boll (36.8%) number of seeds per boll (10.8%) were significantly higher for plants given combined soil application of ZnSO4 and borax (50 kg/ha and 10 kg/ha, respectively). The seed cotton yield and seed yield were 47.1 per cent 19.2 per cent higher for the same treatment over control.

Roberts et al. (2000) observed that boron deficiency in cotton may be corrected with foliar or soil applications of boron. Foliar application of boron @ 0.11 kg per ha and soil application of boron @ 0.56 kg per ha provided about the same net returns.

Both methods were economically superior to not applying boron. Shelge et al. (2000) noticed the increased seed yield (1973 kg/ha) of soybean due to foliar application of borax @ 0.5 kg per ha compared to control.

Shelge et al. (2000) noticed the increased seed yield (1973 kg/ha) due to foliar application of borax @ 0.5 kg per ha in soybean compared to control. Foliar spray of 0.2 per cent borax at 50 and 60 DAS recorded maximum number of seeds per pod (1.3) and seed yield (17.96 kg/ ha over control (1.2 and 1180 kg/ha, respectively) in chickpea (Masoodali and Mishra, 2001). Shelge et al. (2000) noticed the increased seed yield due to application of ZnSO4 @ 5 kg per ha (2203 kg/ha) and borax @ 0.5 kg per ha (1973 kg/ha) in soybean

Jain et al. (2000) reported that foliar application of B and Zn + B along with the recommended NPK increased the seed yield by 24 and 22 per cent respectively, over recommended NPK alone

Hugar and Kurdikeri (2000) revealed that foliar application of zinc sulphate @ 0.5 per cent recorded the highest number of pods per plant (34) seeds per pod (2.6) and seed yield (23.4 q/ha) compared to control in soybean. Grewal et al.(2000) reported zinc application significantly increased the nodulation and forage yield in alfalfa. Application of boron at flowering increased pod setting number of seeds per pod and seed yield.

Govindan and Thirumurugan (2000) revealed that foliar spray of KNO3 (1%) or KCl (1%) increased the grain yield in green gram by 21.8 per cent over control Kuldeep Singh and Hansaraj (2001) made a study on effect of micronutrient application on yield of cluster bean. He revealed that higher dry matter yield per plot (9.98 g) was obtained when applied with zinc 5 mg per kg soil as against control (3.55 g). Halepyati (2001) revealed that, application of zinc sulphate and molybdenum increased the pods per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight and seed yield (23.4 and 24.7q/ha, respectively) in soybean.

Mishra et al. (2001) noticed that foliar application of boron @ 1 kg per ha had a positive effect on number of pods per plant (50.66), seed weight per plant (8.68 g), seed yield (12.39 q/ha) over control (28.83, 4.11 g and 8.99 q/ha respectively) in chickpea. Sarkar et al. (2001) opined that foliar spray of KNO3 on grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) at 0.50% concentration during 50% flowering stage showed maximum values for pods/plant, length of pod, seeds/pod and 1000 seed weight and it was significantly superior to water spray and unsprayed control. Singaravel et al. (2001) reported that foliar application of ZnSO4 @0.5% along with NPK increases the seed yield in sesamum.

Naik et al. (2002) observed that application of boron @ 12 kg per ha significantly improved the seed yield in soybean. Khurana and Chatterjee (2002) reported that, foliar application of zinc sulphate @ 0.065 mg per litre increased the pods per plant, seeds per plant and seed weight per plant in pea. In a field experiment on mungbean at Kanpur, Vedram et al. (2002) stated that soil application of 15 kg zinc per ha gave the highest seed yield (909.38 kg/ ha), while control recorded the least seed yield (866.40 kg/ ha).Tejeswara Rao et al. (2003) reported that the foliar application of 1 ppm B + 0.1% ammonium molybdate improved the seed yield of mustard by 24 per cent over recommended NPK alone.

In pea, Raghav and Sharma (2003) recorded highest fruit weight (19.2 g) and yield (38.9 q /ha) compared to control (16.0 g and 31.2 g/ha respectively), when crop was sprayed with ZnSO4 (0.5%). Macha (2004) reported in cluster bean that, number of pods per plant significantly were more (51.16) with ZnSO4 @ 0.5% followed by FeSO4 @ 0.5 % (48.78) whereas, number of seeds per pod did not shown significant effect.

Mondal, et al. (2012) reported treatment combination involving three irrigations at branching, pre flowering and pod filling stages along with foliar application of o.2% borax at flowering stage recorded maximum mungbean seed yield (898 kg/ha) which was comparatively higher over other treatment combinations.

2.1.1.3 Influence of foliar micro nutrients on seed quality parameters

Zubal (1980) reported that seed yield of lucerne significantly increased by 18.31 kg per ha due to foliar application of Boron at bud formation stage. Foliar spray of Boron and Molybdenum at the end of flowering stage increased the seed yield, 1000 seed weight and germination percentage of the seeds (Pivovarova, 1985). The seeds obtained from the plants receiving 10 ppm zinc sulphate showed higher germination percentage, germination rate index, shoot length, root length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour of safflower (Shekhargouda, 1983).

Ramezani and Shekafandeh (2011) reported that the effect of spraying KNO3, and ZnSO4, on the fruit weight, dimension and volume. The plants were sprayed with 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent KNO3 and 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 per cent ZnSO4 and their combinations in August about halfway through the fruit growth period. The highest fruit weight was observed using 0.5 per cent ZnSO4 + 0.5 per cent KNO3. Fruit length and diameter were affected significantly using different ZnSO4 concentrations.

Reddy (1983) observed the increased 1000 seed weight, crude protein content, seed germination (9.40%), dry weight of seedling, shoot length, root length and vigour index of alfalfa due to foliar spray of 0.5 per cent Zinc sulphate. Ziolek and Ziolek (1987) found that foliar application of boron, manganese and molybdenum and their combination increased number of pods seed per plant, hundred seed weight and seed yield of soybean.

Shoot dry weight of groundnut increased with combined application of iron, zinc and manganese in the sulphate form (Moussa et al., 1996). Significant increase in shoot dry weight was noticed by the addition of zinc either individually or in combination with Cu, Fe and Mn over control in cluster bean (Kuldeep Singh and Hans Raj, 2001).Yadav et al. (1991) noticed significantly increased pod (141.0 g/plot), kernel yield (188.2 g/plot) and root length (11.9 cm) of groundnut over control with foliar application of zinc @ 5 ppm. Jayarami Reddy et.al, (1996) reported that foliar spray of KNO3

(0.5%) recorded the maximum dry matter production in pigeonpea as compared to control.

Two sprayings of Borax @ 0.5 ppm at 30 days after germination and at the time of flowering recorded significantly higher yield of dry pods (247.8 kg/ha) and protein content (530 kg/ha) in groundnut (Mahajan et al., 1994).Bowszys (1996) reported that, foliar spray of boron (0.4 kg /ha) at the bud stage significantly increased the seed yield and seed oil content in rape. Application of boron as foliar spray significantly increased number of seeds per siliqua, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, seed-oil content and oil yield in toria (Bora and Hazarika, 1997).

Vijaya and Ponnusamy (1997) stated that cowpea seeds fortified with ZnSO4 + MnSO4 followed by pelleting with DAP, registered higher field emergence, per cent dry matter production, pod production, number of seeds per pod and also increased seed yield per ha to 24.7 per cent over control (19.2 q). Singh et al. (1998) reported maximum 100 seed weight (53 g) was recorded with boron (0.1%) spray in mungbean as against control (42.3 g). Rathinavel et al. (1999) reported that foliar application of zinc sulphate (0.5%) on 90and 110 days after sowing increased 100 seed weight, germination, speed of germination,root length, shoot length and vigour index. The values for the electrical conductivity of seed leachate did not show consistency for treatments.

Two sprayings of Borax @ 0.5 ppm at 30 days after germination and at the time of flowering recorded significantly higher yield of dry pods (247.8 kg/ha) and protein content (530 kg/ha) in groundnut (Mahajan et al., 1994). Sinha et al. (1999) concluded that foliar application of boron (0.33 mg/lit), resulted in significantly higher dry matter yield per plant (18.96 g) and pod weight (7.23 g) per plant over 0.011, 0.033, 0.165, 1.65 and 3.3 mg per litre boron in pea.

Sarkar et al. (1999) noticed that foliar application of 0.25 per cent KNO3 resulted in highest dry matter production (14.60 g/plant) and pod weight per plant in groundnut. Roberts et al. (2000) observed that boron deficiency in cotton may be corrected with foliar or soil boron applications. Foliar application of boron at the @ of (0.11 kg/ha) and soil application of boron (0.56 kg/ha) provided about the same net returns. Both methods were economically superior to what application of boron.

Ullagaddi (2000) observed significantly higher germination, shoot length, root length and vigour index with foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.1%) plus boron (0.1%). Govindan and Thirumurugan (2000) revealed that the growth parameters like plant height, LAI and dry matter production in greengram were significantly higher with treatments received foliar spray of KNO3 (1%) or KCl (1%) and their combination. Foliar application of 0.5 per cent ZnSO4 recorded highest 100 seed weight (13.4 g), germination (88%) and vigour index (874) as compared to control in soybean (Hugar and Kurdikeri, 2000). Masoodali and Mishra (2001) observed that application of borax (0.2%) to chickpea crop recorded highest 100 seed weight (20.7 g) over control (20.5 g).

Vyakaranahal et al. (2001) revealed that boron (0.1%) spray at ray floret stage increased the processed seed yield by 49.0 and 43.1 % during kharif and summer, respectively. It also increased the capitulum diameter, number of filled seeds per capitulum, seed set percentage, seed yield per plant, 100 seed weight, volume weight of seed, oil content in seed, germination percentage, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index. Deosarkar et al. (2002) observed in soybean an increase in test weight, germination, vigour index and protein content due to application of boron and zinc.

Manomani et al (2002) reported that lucerne crop sprayed with zinc and boron at the rate of 0.3 per cent showed its superiority by recording the highest pod yield per plot,seed yield, and thousand seed weight, hundred-pod weight with good germination potential and vigour index. Manonmani et al. (2002) reported that, application of borax + zinc sulphate each (0.3%) showed its superiority by recording higher 100 seed weight with good germination percentage seed vigour index with lower seed leachate.

Spraying of borax ( 0.2%) at 50 per cent flowering resulted in significant increase in head diameter, 100 seed weight, seed yield per plant and seed yield per ha compared to control in sunflower (Tamak,et al.,1997). Kuruppaiah (2005) stated that, the foliar application of borax (0.5%) at 35.50 was found to be best in terms of number of flowers per plant, number of productive flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, individual fruit weight and yield (32.15 t/ha), flowered by zinc sulphate (0.5%) sprayed at 35.50 and 65 DAT in brinjal cv. Annamali.

Niranjana et al. (2005) reported that application of micronutrients (B & Zn) showed significantly increase in yield, oil content and growth parameters of groundnut. Shrivastava et al. (2006) observed that 50 kg Zn dose was found to be effective in increasing total nodules root and shoot dry weight, dry matter, seed yield at maturity in frenchbean.

2.1.1.4 Influence of foliar micro nutrients on seed quality parameters in storage

Studies made by Pearce and Samad (1980) revealed that loss of control over sub-cellular compartmentation or intracellular concentration of metabolites resulting from loss of membrane lipids, may have been the cause of loss of viability in groundnut.

Ravichandran et al. (1994) observed significant decline in germination percentage from 80 to 54 per cent in maize and 17 to 59 per cent in ground nut as ageing period advanced in different lots.

Shanmugavel et al. (1996) noticed that faster decline in seed germination and seedling vigour was associated with greater electrolyte leakage and higher production of volatile aldehydes in soybean. Similar observation was also made by Nautiyal et al. (1997) in ground nut during ageing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS The field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the influence of micronutrients

on seed yield, quality and storability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.] at the Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad and seed quality studies in the department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka. The details of the materials used and methods adopted during the course of investigation are furnished in this chapter.

3.1 General Description

3.1.1 Location of experimental site

The field experiment was conducted in the ‘C’ Block of the Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad during kharif, 2012. Dharwad is situated at 15

0–26’ N latitude and 75-07’ E.

longitude with an altitude of 678 m above the mean sea level and it is situated in northern transitional belt of Karnataka.

The storage experiment was conducted under ambient conditions in the PG laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Dharwad, for six months from November, 2012 to April, 2013.

3.1.2 Soil characteristics

The experimental site consisted of black clayey soil, pH neutral in reaction. The soil physical and chemical properties of experimental site are given in Table 1.

3.1.3 Climatic conditions

The data on weather parameters such as rainfall (mm), mean of maximum and minimum temperature (

oC) and relative humidity (%) were recorded at meteorological observatory, Main

Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during the experimental year (2012) are presented in Table 2.

Dharwad receives rainfall from both south west and north east monsoon. Dharwad is considered to be mild tropical rainy region. The highest rainfall received during the period of experimentation was in July, 2012 (112.21mm) and the lowest was in the month of May 2012 (3.8 mm). The mean maximum temperature April 2012 (35.73

0C) and minimum temperature was in the

month of December 2012 (14.520C). The mean relative humidity ranged from 55.23 (December,

2012) to 84.69 (July, 2012) per cent.

3.1.4 Seed source

The breeder seed of soybean cv Dsb-1 were procured from the Soybean Scheme, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad for the purpose of experimental investigation.

3.1.5 Previous crop on the experimental plot

In the experimental site, maize crop was grown during previous kharif season of 2011.

3.2 Experiment–I : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield, quality and storability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

The field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2012 as detailed below.

3.2.1 Treatments details

The field experiment consisted of 8 treatment combinations involving foliar spray twice in following treatments and spray was taken up once at 30 DAS and second at 45 DAS detailed below.

T0 - Control

T1 – Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% at 30 and 45 DAS

T2 – Foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2% at 30 and 45 DAS

T3 - Foliar spray of KNO3 @ 0.5% at 30 and 45 DAS

T4 - Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2% at 30 and 45 DAS

Table 1. Physical and chemical properties of soil in the experimental site

Sl. No Properties Value Method employed

I.

a.

Physical properties

Particle size analysis

Coarse sand (%) 6.80

Fine sand (%) 12.20

Silt (%) 28.40

Clay (%) 52.60

Hydrometer method

(Piper, 1966)

b. Bulk density (g/cc) 1.2 Core sampler method (Dastane, 1967)

II. Chemical properties

a. Available nitrogen (kg ha-1

) 210.20 Modified Kjeldahl method (Jackson, 1973)

b. Available P2O5 (kg ha-1

) 42.00 Olsen’s method (Muhr et al., 1965)

c. Available K2O (kg ha-1

) 348.00 Flame photometry (Jackson, 1973)

d. Organic carbon (%) 0.76 Wet oxidation method (Jackson, 1973)

e. Soil pH (1:2.5 soil :water) 7.5 Potentiometry (Piper, 1966)

Table 2. Monthly meteorological data for the experimental year 2012-13 and the average of 61 years (1950-2011) at Meteorological Observatory, Main Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

Temperature (°C) Rainfall (mm)

Mean maximum Mean minimum Relative humidity (%)

Month

1950-2011 2012 1950-2011 2012 1950-2011 2012 1950-2011 2012

July-2012 138.70 112.21 27.7 27.34 20.85 20.82 89.18 84.69

August 154.45 88.20 27.9 25.47 20.16 19.14 88.60 79.71

September 135.23 89.60 27.9 28.19 19.96 19.71 86.68 73.78

October 94.43 89.20 29 28.74 18.65 17.63 79.40 62.11

November 52.49 35.70 28.4 28.36 15.93 15.99 73.62 61.02

December 2.83 19.60 27.4 29.32 13.18 14.52 69.24 55.23

January-2013 0.062 - 28.2 30.55 14.07 14.50 64.81 54.00

February 0.547 - 32.4 35.00 16.56 20.00 54.41 53.20

March 15.65 - 35.6 36.00 19.71 21.00 64.24 52.10

April 39.27 56.60 37.6 35.73 20.11 21.17 78.05 55.97

May 68.39 3.80 35.7 35.66 20.95 21.47 75.78 60.59

June 108.51 43.40 31.2 30.18 21.68 21.19 86.29 74.90

Total 949.259

T5 - Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ foliar spray of KNO3 @ 0.5% at 30 and 45 DAS

T6 – Foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2%+ foliar spray of KNO3 @ 0.5% at 30 and 45 DAS

T7- Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2%+ foliar spray of KNO3@

0.5% at 30 and 45 DAS

3.2.2 Design and layout of experiment

The plan of layout of the experiment is given in Fig. 1 and Plate1. The other details are as follows.

Design : Randomized Block Design (RBD)

Replications : Three

Treatment combinations : Eight

Plot size : Gross plot : 4.5 × 1.5 m

Net Plot : 3.9 × 1.6m

Spacing : 30 × 10 cm

3.2.3 Land preparation

Prior to sowing, the selected experimental land was brought to fine tilth by one deep ploughing by tractor, two harrowing and levelled by using a wooden plank by bullocks. A total of 24 experimental plots were laid out by leaving small bunds and irrigation channels on either side of the each plots. The required number of rows were marked in each of the experimental plots as per the spacing as mentioned in the treatment schedule 3.2.2.

3.2.4 Fertilizer application

A day prior to sowing, the calculated quantities of chemical fertilizers (FYM and NPK) were applied in a single basal dose to the experimental plots at 3-4 cm deep in to the soil and 4-5cm away from the seed rows as per the treatment schedule detailed in 3.2.1 and was incorporated well in to the soil 15 days before sowing.

3.2.5 Method of sowing

About 2-3 seeds of soybean cv. Dsb-1 were hand dibbled in the earlier opened furrows at 2-3 cm deep into the soil as per the treatment schedule specified in 3.2.1. The crop was sown on 6

th July

2012 and was lightly irrigated after sowing to get good germination and uniform plant population. Gap filling was done after seven days of sowing to maintain expected plant population per plot. Thinning was done to retain one healthy normal seedling per hill after 15 days of sowing and desired plant population per plot was maintained.

3.2.6 After care

The necessary aftercare operations such as hand weeding, irrigation, inter culturing and plant protection measures were attended as and when required. The recommended agronomic practices were taken up timely to ensure luxuriant crop growth during the entire period of investigation. The crop was also kept free from pests like leaf eating caterpillar, sucking pests like jassids, aphidis, and diseases like Cercospora leaf spots and bacterial leaf spot by spraying appropriate insecticides (Monocrotophos and Karate) and fungicides (Tilt) whenever required.

3.2.7 Harvesting, threshing and cleaning

The crop was harvested on 2nd October, 2012 when plants started showing the symptoms of drying, shedding of pale coloured leaflets and pods turning brown to dark black colour. Plants at the border rows were first uprooted manually on all sides of each plot and were kept separately. Thereafter well matured and dried pods were picked up manually from plants of the net plot area as per the treatment schedule by excluding earlier randomly tagged five plants for recording of field observations. After picking, pods were dried under sun for four days and seeds were separated manually by gentle beating the pods with wooden stick, cleaned by winnowing and dried under well aerated shade for 5-6 days to around 8.50 per cent moisture content.

R-I R-II R-III

T0 T5 T2

T1 T6 T3

T2 T7 T4

T3 T0 T5

T4 T1 T6

T5 T2 T7

T6 T3 T0

T7 T4 T1

Fig. 1: Plan of layout of experiment

Fig. 1: Plan of layout of experiment

1.0 m

N

0.5

m

3.9 m

1.6

m

Plate 1. General view of the experimental plot

3.2.8 Collection of experimental data

Five normal and healthy plants were selected randomly from net plot area of each experimental plot and were tagged with a wax coated label for recording various crop growth, seed yield and quality components of the present investigation. The details of the various observations recorded are furnished below.

3.2.9 Growth parameters

3.2.9.1 Plant height (cm)

Plant height was measured on a metric scale from base of the plant to the tip of the main shoot from the randomly tagged plants at 30, 45 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest stage for each treatment. Average height was computed and expressed in centimetres (cm) for respective stage of crop growth.

3.2.9.2 Number of leaves per plant

Number of green trifoliate leaves were counted from five plants at 30, 45 DAS and at harvest stage for each treatment. The average number of leaves per plant was computed and expressed in number for respective stage of crop growth and were recorded.

3.2.9.3 Leaf area index (LAI)

It is defined as an assimilatory surface per unit area of land (Sestak et al., 1971). Leaf area index was worked out at 30, 45 DAS and at harvest by dividing the leaf area per plant by land area occupied by the plant.

Leaf area per plant (dm²) LAI = ——————————————

Land area occupied by plant (dm²) 3.2.9.4 Days to 50 per cent flowering

The number of days required to 50 per cent of the plant to produce first flower in each plot in each block was recorded from the date of sowing of the seeds and expressed in number as days to 50 per cent flowering.

3.2.9.5 Days to maturity

The number of days taken from date of sowing to date of maturation of pod was recorded on individual plant basis for all the earlier tagged plants from each treatment and expressed in whole number as days taken to maturity.

3.2.10 Seed yield parameters

3.2.10.1 Number of pods per plant

The total numbers of pods borne on individual plant was counted from five randomly tagged plants and average was worked out and expressed as number of pods per plant for each treatment and replication (Plate 2).

3.2.10.2 Number of seeds per pod

The seeds from ten randomly chosen matured pods were separated out and counted manually. The mean number of seeds per pod was calculated by dividing the number of seeds by the actual number of pods and expressed as number of seeds per pod for each treatment and replication.

3.2.10.3 Seed weight per plant (g)

The well matured pods obtained from the five tagged plants were dried under the sun for 48 hours threshed and seeds were removed from the pods, cleaned and their weight was recorded on an analytical balance. The average weight was expressed as seed yield per plant in grams.

3.2.10.4 Seed yield per plot (kg)

The well matured pods obtained from the net plot were dried under the sun for 48 hours threshed and seeds were removed from the pods and cleaned and their weight was recorded on an analytical balance. The average weight was expressed as seed yield per plant in kilograms.

Plate 2. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on pod growth stage

3.2.10.5 Seed yield per hectare (kg)

The seed yield obtained from five randomly selected and tagged plants were added to the seed yield of the net plot area for calculation of seed yield and were recorded as seed yield per hectare in kilograms.

3.2.11 Seed quality parameters

3.2.11.1 Hundred seed weight (g)

One hundred seeds from each treatment were chosen manually at random and their weight was recorded on electronic balance as per ISTA procedure (Anon., 1999) and average weight was expressed as hundred seed weight in grams.

3.2.11.2 Seed germination (%)

Standard germination test was conducted in the laboratory as per ISTA procedure (Anon., 1999) by adopting the rolled paper towel (BP) method at 25±1°C temperature and 90±5 per cent relative humidity in seed germinator in four replicates of randomly drawn hundred seeds each. On seventh day of germination test, the total number of normal seedlings was counted and their average was expressed as germination percentage for each treatment.

3.2.11.3 Root length (cm)

On 7th day of germination count, ten normal seedlings were selected randomly from each

treatment in four replications. Root length was measured on metric scale from the tip of primary root to base of hypocotyls and mean root length was expressed in centimetres.

3.2.11.4 Shoot length (cm)

Ten normal seedlings chosen for measurement of root length were also used for measurement of shoot length. It was measured on metric scale from base of primary leaf to base of hypocotyl and mean shoot length was expressed in centimetres.

3.2.11.5 Seedling vigour index

Seedling vigour index was computed by adopting the following formula as suggested by Abdul-Baki and Anderson (1973) and was expressed in whole number.

Vigour index = Germination (%) x [Root length (cm) + Shoot length in (cm)]

3.2.11.6 Seedling dry weight (mg)

Earlier ten normal seedlings chosen for measuring shoot and root lengths were used to determine seedling dry weight. The seedlings kept in butter paper bags were dried in hot air oven at 75±1°C for 24 hours. After drying, they were cooled in a desiccator for 30 minutes and were weighed on a electronic balance. Their average weight was expressed in milligram per seedling for each treatment.

3.2.11.7 Oil content (%)

Oil content was measured by using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrophotometer available at AICRP on sunflower of Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), Raichur.

3.3 Experiment-II : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on storability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

The freshly harvested seeds which were received with foliar spray of different nutrients in the field experiment were taken for storage studies to know their effect on storability under ambient conditions.

3.3.1 Treatment details

The storage experiment consisted of 8 treatments as detail below

T0 - Control

T1 – Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @0.3%

T2 – Foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2%

T3 - Foliar spray of KNO3 @ 0.5%

T4 - Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2%

T5 - Foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ foliar spray of KNO3 @ 0.5%

T6 – Foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2 %+ foliar spray of KNO3 @ 0.5%

T7- foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Foliar spray of Boron @ 0.2 %+ foliar spray of KNO3 @

0.5%

Experimental details

Design : Completely Randomized Design Number of replications : Four Treatments Eight Location : Department of Seed Science and Technology, UAS

Dharwad. 3.3.2 Method of storage

About one kilogram of freshly harvested seeds which were received with foliar spray of different nutrients in the field experiment were packed in polyethylene bag. The bags were tightly closed and kept in ambient conditions in the laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad for nine month period from September, 2012 to May 2013.

3.3.3 Record of Observations

The required quantity of seeds was drawn randomly at every months interval of storage period as per treatment schedule 3.3.1 for recording observations on various seed quality parameters as detailed below.


Hundred seed weight was determined in grams treatment wise as per the earlier procedure mentioned in 3.2.11.1.

3.3.3.2 Seed germination (%)

Seed germination percentage was recorded for each treatments as per the method explained in 3.2.11.2.


Mean root length was determined as per procedure mentioned under 3.2.11.3.

3.3.3.4 Shoot length (cm)

Mean shoot length was determined as per procedure mentioned under 3.2.11.4.


Seedling vigour index was computed as per earlier procedure in 3.2.11.5.


Seedling dry weight was recorded in milligrams as per procedure under 3.2.11.6.

3.4 Statistical analysis

The experimental data collected from both field and laboratory experiments for various seed yield and quality parameters were analysed statistically by adopting appropriate statistical design as described by Sundaraj et al. (1972) and Panse and Sukhatme (1978). The critical difference (CD) values were calculated at five per cent probability level wherever ‘F’ test was found significant. The data in percentage were transformed into arc sine root transformation and same was used for statistical analysis.

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The field and laboratory experiments were conducted to find out the effect of foliar application

of micronutrients on yield, seed quality and storability in soybean, the first experiment was carried out in the field during kharif 2012 and second experiment on seed storability from November 2012 to April 2013 (Six months)in the laboratory. The results of field and laboratory experiments are presented in this chapter.

4.1 Experiment – I: Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on growth seed yield and quality

4.1.1 Growth parameters

4.1.1.1 Plant height (cm)

The data on plant height (cm) at 30, 45 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 3.

The plant height at 30 DAS did not differ significantly due to foliar application of micronutrients. At 45 DAS, the foliar spray of ZnSO4 (0.3 %) + Boron (0.2%) + KNO3 (0.5%) has recorded significantly higher plant height (53.67 cm) over the rest of the treatments. But it was on par with T5, T4 and T6 (52.33, 51.20 and 50.60 cm, respectively), which was closely followed by T3 and T2, (49.18, and 48.47cm, respectively). However, lower plant height was recorded in the control (46.00 cm).

The plant height at harvest was significantly influenced due to foliar application of micronutrients. Significantly higher plant height (58.70cm) was recorded in T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%) over the rest of the treatments, which was on par with T5 and T4

(57.50 and 57.20), and followed by T3, T2 and T6 (55.70, 54.80 and 55.83 cm respectively). whereas, T0 (Control) recorded the lowest plant height (52.60 cm).

4.1.1.2 Number of leaves per plant

The data on number of leaves per plant at 30, 45 DAS and at harvest as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 3.

The foliar spray of micronutrients did not influence the number of leaves per plant at 30 DAS. The number of leaves per plant at 45 DAS was significantly influenced due to foliar spraying of micronutrients. Significantly higher number of leaves per plant (58.63) were recorded in T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%) over rest of the treatments. The next best treatment (57.27) was recorded in T5 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5%), which was followed by T4, T6, T3, and T2 (57, 56.43, 56.04 and 55.20 respectively). Whereas, T0 (Control) recorded significantly lower number of leaves per plant (52.85).

At harvest the number of leaves per plant differed significantly due to foliar spray of micronutrients. However, significantly more number of leaves per plant (95.67) was recorded in T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%) over rest of the treatments, and it was on par with T5 and T4 (89.33 and 89.07 respectively). which was followed by T6, T3, and T2 (80.00, 76.60 and 76.00 respectively). However, less number of leaves per plant was recorded in T0 (Control) (74.70).

4.1.1.3 Leaf area index (LAI)

The data on leaf area index at 30, 45 DAS and at harvest as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 3.

The treatments were imposed at 30 DAS and the leaf area index was not significant at 30 DAS. The leaf area index at 45 DAS was significantly differed due to foliar spraying of micronutrients. Significantly higher LAI (3.60) was observed in T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%), which was on par with T5 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% foliar spray) (3.25) and T4 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% foliar spray) (3.06), T6 (2.99) and T3, (2.96) which was followed by T2 (2.67), However lower LAI per plant was observed in T0 (Control) of 2.46.

At harvest the leaf area index was differed significantly due to foliar spay of micronutrients. The treatment T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5%) recorded significantly higher LAI per plant (5.08), which was on par with T5 (4.92), and it was followed by T4, T6, T3 and T2 (4.74, 4.51, 4.48 and 4.27 respectively), But lower LAI was recorded in control (3.98).

Table 3. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant and leaf area index in soybean (30, 45 DAS and at harvest)

Plant height (cm) Number of leaves Leaf area index

Treatments 30

DAS 45 DAS

At Harvest

30 DAS 45

DAS At

Harvest 30

DAS 45 DAS

At Harvest

T0 : Control 16.50 46.00 52.60 24.53 52.85 74.70 2.26 2.46 3.98

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 17.27 47.23 53.00 26.67 53.13 75.07 2.47 2.50 4.18

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 17.43 48.47 54.80 26.83 55.20 76.00 2.43 2.67 4.27

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 17.67 49.18 55.70 32.23 56.04 76.60 2.39 2.96 4.48

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 18.20 51.20 57.20 27.80 57.00 89.07 2.24 3.06 4.74

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 18.07 52.33 57.50 27.13 57.27 89.33 2.32 3.25 4.92

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 17.90 50.60 55.83 29.33 56.43 80.00 2.35 2.99 4.51

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 18.30 53.67 58.70 32.83 58.63 95.67 2.49 3.60 5.08

Mean 17.67 49.83 55.67 28.42 55.82 82.05 2.38 2.86 4.52

S.Em± 0.42 1.42 0.63 1.96 0.43 4.02 0.09 0.28 0.21

C.D. (P=0.05) NS 4.31 1.92 NS 1.31 12.21 NS 0.86 0.61

NS : Non significant DAS : Days after sowing

4.1.1.4 Days to 50 per cent flowering

The data on days to 50 per cent flowering as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 4 and depicted in Fig. 2.

Earliest 50 per cent flowering (37.40 days) was noticed due to foliar application of (ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %and Boron @ 0.2% in combination with KNO3 @ 0.5%) which was on par with foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% in combination with KNO3 @ 0.5% (38.67 days) and followed by the ZnSO4 @ 0.3 % in combination with Boron @ 0.2% foliar application (39.47). Where as, in control 50 per cent flowering was completed by 40.03 days.

4.1.1.5 Days to maturity

The data on days to maturity as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 4 and depicted in Fig. 3.

Earliest maturity at (82.00 days) was noticed due to foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% and Boron @ 0.2 %in combination with KNO3 @ 0.5%. which was on par with foliar application of ZnSO4

@ 0.3 % in combination with KNO3 @ 0.5% (82.57 days) and followed by the ZnSO4 @ 0.3% in combination with Boron @ 0.2% foliar application (83.33 days). Whereas, in control days to maturity was completed by 90.53 days.

4.1.2 Effect of foliar application of micronutrient on seed yield and yield components of soybean

4.1.2.1 Number of pods per plant

The data on number of pods per plant as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 5 and depicted in Fig. 4.

It is evident from the table that, the significantly higher (39.67) number of pods was observed in T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5%) over rest of the treatments. It was on par with T5 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5%) (37.6) and T4 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%) (36.50) which recorded significantly lower number of pods in control (34.47).

4.1.2.2 Number of seeds per pod

The data on number of seeds per pod as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 5.

All the treatments recorded significantly more number of seeds per pod over the control. Among the treatments more (2.51) seeds per pod were noticed in T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%) over rest of the treatments, but it was on par with T5 (2.35) respectively and followed by T4, T6, T3, T2 and T1 which recorded 2.30, 2.31, 2.29, 2.28 and 2.21 respectively. However, lower number of seeds per pod was recorded in T0 (Control) (2.14).

4.1.2.3 Seed weight per plant (g)

The data on seed weight per plant as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 6.

There was significant difference was observed on seed weight per plant due to different treatments. The plants sprayed with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% recorded significantly the highest (7.89 g) seed weight per plant, followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5% and ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% (7.37 g), T4 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3+ Boron @ 0.2%) (7.29 g) and T6

Boron @ 0.2 + KNO3 @ 0.5% (7.02g). Whereas, significantly lower seed weight per plant was recorded in control (6.32g).

4.1.2.4 Seed weight per plot (kg)

The data on seed weight per plot as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 6.

It is evident from the table that, all foliar treatments recorded significantly increased seed weight per plot as compared to control. Among the foliar treatment, ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% recorded significantly higher (1.67 kg) seed weight per plot, which was on par with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% (1.60 kg), ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% (1.55kg), Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% (1.53 kg), followed by KNO3 @ 0.5% (1.51kg) and Boron @ 0.2% (1.49 kg). Significantly lower (1.42 kg) yield was recorded in control.

Table 4. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on days to 50 per cent flowering and days

to maturity

Treatments Days to 50%

flowering Days to maturity

T0 : Control 40.03 90.53

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 39.87 85.33

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 39.83 85.73

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 39.63 85.47

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 39.47 83.33

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 38.67 82.57

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 39.50 85.43

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 37.40 82.00

Mean 39.30 85.05

S.Em.± 0.45 0.78

C.D. (P=0.05) 1.36 2.36

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

Days

to

50 p

er

ce

nt

flo

we

rin

g

T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7

Fig. 2 : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on days to 50 per cent flowering in soybean

78

80

82

84

86

88

90

92

Days t

o m

atu

rity

T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7

Fig. 3 : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on days to maturity in soybean

LEGEND

Treatments (T)

T0 : Control

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3%

T2 : Boron @ 0.2%

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5%

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% +

Boron @ 0.2%

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% +

KNO3 @ 0.5%

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% +

KNO3 @ 0.5%

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% +

Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @

0.5%

LEGEND Treatments (T) T0 : Control T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% T2 : Boron @ 0.2% T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5%

Table 5. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod of soybean

Treatments Number of pods

per plant

Number of seeds

per pod

T0 : Control 34.47 2.14

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 34.7 2.21

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 35.07 2.28

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 35.20 2.29

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 36.50 2.30

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 37.6 2.35

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 35.80 2.31

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 39.67 2.51

Mean 36.04 2.33

S.Em.± 1.08 0.05

C.D. (P=0.05) 3.27 0.17

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

Nu

mb

er

of

po

ds p

er

pla

nt

T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7

Fig. 4 : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on number of pods per plant in soybean

LEGEND Treatments (T) T0 : Control T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% T2 : Boron @ 0.2% T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @

0.5%

Table 6. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield per plant (g), seed yield per plot (kg) and seed yield (q/ha) of soybean

Treatments Seed weight

(g/plant) Seed weight

(kg/ plot) Seed yield

(kg/ha)

T0 : Control 6.32 1.42 2281.67

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 6.70 1.45 2326.00

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 6.92 1.49 2362.00

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 6.95 1.51 2408.00

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 7.29 1.55 2514.00

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 7.37 1.60 2574.00

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 7.02 1.53 2418.00

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @

0.5% 7.89 1.67 2655.00

Mean 7.06 1.53 2442.33

S.Em.± 0.28 0.05 20.82

C.D. (P=0.05) 0.85 0.14 63.16

Fig. 5 : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield (kg/ha ) in soybean

4.1.2.5 Seed yield per ha (kg)

The data on seed yield per hectare as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 6 and depicted in Fig. 5.

It is evident from the table that, all foliar treatments recorded significantly higher seed yield per hectare as compared to control. Among the foliar treatments, ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5% recorded significantly higher (2655 kg/ha) seed yield per ha, followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% (2574 kg/ha) , ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% (2514 kg/ha), Boron @ 0.2 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5% (2418.00 kg/ha), KNO3 @ 0.5% (2408.00 kg/ha) and Boron @ 0.2% (2362.00 kg/ha) which were recorded significantly higher seed yield over the control. Significantly lower (2281.67kg/ha) yield recorded was in control.

4.1.3 Seed quality parameters


The data on hundred seed weight was not influenced by foliar application of micronutrients (Table 7).

It is evident from the data that the 100 seed weight due to foliar application of micronutrients did not differ significantly in all the treatments. However, numerically higher values were noticed in the plants received with foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 % + Boron @ 0.2 % + KNO3 @ 0.5% (14.10g) as compared to control (10.77g) and it was followed by the ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% (13.33g),which was followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2% (12.73g) ,Boron @ 0.3% and zinc @ 0.3 (12.90g).The least (10.77g) 100 seed weight was recorded in control.

4.1.3.2 Germination (%)

The data pertaining to the germination percentage as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are furnished in Table 7.

The results indicated that, all treatments did not show significant difference with each other for germination. However, the seed produced by the plants applied with ZnSO4 @ 0.3 + Boron @ 0.2+ KNO3 @ 0.5% recorded higher germination of 89.3per cent, which was followed by the ZnSO4 @ 0.3+ KNO3 @ 0.5% (89%) and by ZnSO4 @ 0.3 + Boron @ 0.2 (88.3%). The least (85.0%) germination was recorded with seeds produced by the control.

4.1.3.3 Soot length (cm)

The data pertaining to shoot length are presented in Table 7 and indicated that there was no significant difference among the treatments for shoot length.

Among the treatments, numerically higher values were noticed in shoot length in the treatment with foliar micronutrient application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% (13.8cm) which followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% and ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 % (13.7 and 13.5 cm, respectively). Further, the seed produced from the untreated plants recorded lower (13.0 cm) shoot length.


The data pertaining to root length as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 7.

The results indicated that non significant difference was observed for root length among the treatments. Higher (15.1cm) root length was recorded in ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+KNO3 @ 0.5%, which was followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% (15 cm), ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + boron @ 0.2%, boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%. (14.9 and 14.8cm) as against the control (14.4cm).


The data pertaining to seedling vigour index are presented in Table 7.

The data indicated non significant difference for seedling vigour index among the treatments. Higher seedling vigour index was observed in the seeds produced by the plants sprayed with ZnSO4

@ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+KNO3 @ 0.5% (2574), which was followed by the T5 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5%) and T4 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + boron @ 0.2%) (2559 and 2507, respectively).


The data on seedling dry weight as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 7.

The seedling dry weight did not differ significantly due to different treatments. Higher dry weight of seedling was observed in the seeds produced by the plants treated with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+KNO3 @ 0.5% (106.12 mg), which was followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5%, ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5%. (106.07 mg, 105.93mg and 102.73mg respectively). Whereas, lower seedling dry weight was recorded in control (100.47mg).

4.1.3.7 Oil content (%)

The data on oil content as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 7.

The oil content differed significantly due to foliar application of micronutrients. Significantly higher (18.13%) oil content was observed in seeds produced by the plants sprayed with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + boron @ 0.2%+KNO3 @ 0.5%, which was on par with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5%, ZnSO4

@ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%, Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%. (18.30%, 17.67 and 17.57%, respectively). The treatments T1, T2 and T3 were on par with each other and the lowest oil content was in control (16.77%).


4.2.1 Germination (%)

The data on germination percentage during storage (six months) period as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients are presented in Table 8 and depicted in Fig. 6.

The germination percentage of seeds produced by foliar application of micronutrients in field did not differ significantly during storage period of six months. However, relatively higher values of germination percentage in all months of storage period from initial month to six months after storage. In general germination declined progressively with the advancement of storage period.

Among the treatments, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% ( T7

) recorded higher germination and it was followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% ,KNO3 @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.2% over the control from initial month to the end of storage period. The average germination percentage recorded at the beginning and end of storage period was 87.28 and 83.28 per cent, respectively. The lowest germination (79.00%) was observed in the untreated (Control) seeds during the storage period.

4.2.2 Hundred seed weight (g)

The data on Hundred seed weight (Table 9) indicated no significant difference due to foliar application of micronutrients among the treatments the treatment T7 (14.10g) recorded relatively higher value as compared to all treatments. The untreated (control) 10.8 g showed lower values during storage period of six months. The average hundred seed weight recorded at the beginning and end of storage period was 12.51 g and 10.06 g, respectively

4.2.3 Root length (cm)

The data on root length presented indicated non significant foliar application of micronutrients in field are presented in Table 10.

The root length of seeds did not differ significantly during storage period of six months. However, numerically higher values of root length were observed in all months of storage period from initial month to six months after storage. The root length declined gradually with the advancement of storage period. Foliar application of Boron @ 0.2%+ ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% ( T7 ) recorded higher root length and it was followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% ,Boron @ 0.2 + KNO3 @ 0.5% ,KNO3 @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.2% over the control during storage .The mean root length recorded at the beginning and end of storage period was 14.74 cm and 13.84 cm, respectively. The lower values of root length were observed in the untreated (Control) seeds during storage (14.4 cm and 13.2 cm).

Table 7. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on 100 seed weight (g), germination (%), shoot length (cm), root length (cm), seedling dry weight (mg), seedling vigour index and oil content (%) in soybean

Treatments 100 Seed weight (g)

Germination (%)

Shoot length (cm)

Root length (cm)

Seedling dry

weight (mg)

Seedling vigour index

Oil content

(%)

T0 : Control 10.77 85.0 13.0 14.4 100.47 2321 16.77

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 11.70 85.3 13.1 14.5 100.65 2349 17.07

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 12.20 86.3 13.2 14.6 102.15 2393 17.47

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 12.37 87.3 13.3 14.7 102.31 2439 17.63

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 12.73 88.3 13.5 14.9 105.93 2507 17.67

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 13.33 89.0 13.7 15.0 106.07 2559 18.03

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 12.90 88.0 13.4 14.8 102.73 2478 17.57

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 14.10 89.3 13.8 15.1 106.12 2575 18.13

Mean 12.51 87.28 13.35 14.74 102.73 2452 17.54

S.Em.± 1.15 0.88 0.69 0.78 0.91 85.36 0.21

C.D. (P=0.05) NS NS NS NS NS NS 0.63

NS – Non significant

Table 8. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on germination of soybean

Storage period (months) Treatments

Initial 1 2 3 4 5 6

T0 : Control 85.0

(67.19)*

84.8

(66.99)

84.8

(66.99)

80.5

(63.77)

80.0

(63.41)

79.8

(63.23)

79.0

(62.70)

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 85.3

(67.39)

85.0

(67.19)

85.0

(67.19)

81.5

(64.50)

81.0

(64.13)

80.8

(63.95)

80.5

(63.77)

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 86.3

(68.21)

86.0

(68.00)

86.0

(68.00)

82.3

(65.06)

82.0

(64.87)

81.8

(64.68)

81.5

(64.50)

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 87.3

(69.05)

86.8

(68.63)

86.8

(68.63)

83.5

(66.01)

83.3

(65.81)

83.0

(65.62)

82.8

(65.43)

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 88.3

(69.93)

88.3

(69.93)

88.3

(69.93)

86.3

(68.21)

86.0

(68.00)

85.8

(67.79)

85.5

(67.59)

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 89.0

(70.60)

88.5

(70.15)

88.5

(70.15)

87.3

(69.05)

87.0

(68.84)

86.8

(68.63)

86.5

(68.42)

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 88.0

(69.70)

87.8

(69.48)

87.8

(69.48)

84.8

(66.99)

84.3

(66.59)

83.8

(66.20)

83.5

(66.01)

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 89.3

(70.83)

88.8

(70.37)

88.8

(70.37)

87.8

(69.48)

87.5

(69.27)

87.3

(69.05)

87.0

(68.84)

Mean 87.28

(69.08)

86.97

(68.81)

86.97

(68.81)

84.22

(66.57)

83.88

(66.30)

83.59

(66.08)

83.28

(65.84)

S.Em± 0.88 0.87 0.87 1.72 1.77 1.79 1.75

C.D. (P=0.05) NS NS NS NS NS NS NS


Fig. 6 : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on germination (%) of soybean

4.2.4 Shoot length (cm)

The data on shoot length showed non significant difference due to foliar application of micronutrients in field are presented in Table 11.

However, the treatment T7 higher values of shoot length as compared to other treatments in all months of storage period from initial month to six months after storage. Among the treatments, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% recorded higher shoot length and it was followed by the ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2 %, Boron @ 0.2 % + KNO3 @ 0.5 %, KNO3 @ 0.5 % and Boron @ 0.2 % over the control from initial month to the end of storage period. The average shoot length recorded at the beginning and end of storage period was 13.35 cm and 12.39 cm, respectively. The lower values of shoot length were observed in the untreated (Control) seeds during the storage period (13.00 cm and 12.00 cm).

4.2.5 Seedling length (cm)

The data on seedling length did not differ significantly during storage period of six months are presented in Table 12.

However, all the treatment showed higher values of seedling length in all months of storage period from initial month to six months as compared to control. In general seedling length was decreased gradually with the advancement of storage period. Among the treatments, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% ( T7 ) recorded higher seedling length and it was followed by the ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%, Boron @ 0.2 % + KNO3 @ 0.5%, KNO3 @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.2% over the control from initial month to the end of storage period. The average seedling length recorded at the beginning and end of storage period was 28.09 cm and 26.24 cm, respectively. The lower values of seedling length were observed in the untreated (Control) seeds during the storage period (27.30 cm and 25.20 cm).

4.2.6 Seedling vigour index

The data indicated that the seedling vigour index (Table 13 and Fig. 7) due to foliar application of micronutrients in field did not differ significantly during storage period of six months. In general seedling vigour index was declined progressively with the advancement of storage period. Among the treatments, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5% ( T7) recorded higher seedling vigour index and it was on par with ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%, Boron @ 0.2 + KNO3 @ 0.5%, KNO3 @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.2% over the control from initial month to the end of storage period. The vigour index recorded at the beginning and end of storage period were 2452 and 2190, respectively. The untreated (Control) seeds recorded lower values during storage (2321 and 1992, respectively).

4.2.7 Seedling dry weight (mg)

The data pertaining to seedling dry weight presented in the Table 14 indicated non significant difference between the treatments during storage but the seeds produced by foliar application of micronutrients showed relatively higher values of seedling dry weight in all months of storage period from initial month to six months after storage. Among the treatments, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% ( T7 ) recorded higher seedling dry weight and it was followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%, Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5%, KNO3 @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.2% over the control from initial month to the end of storage period. The average seedling dry weight recorded at the beginning and end of storage period was 102.73mg and 95.35mg, respectively. The lower values of seedling dry weight were observed in the untreated (Control) seeds during the storage period (100.47 mg and 92.20 mg, respectively).

4.2.8 Oil content (%)

The data on oil content (Table 15 and Fig. 8) during storage (six months) period as influenced by foliar application of micronutrients in field.Indicated significant difference between all the treatments. Among the treatments, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% ( T7 ) recorded significantly higher oil content (18.1% and 18.0%) and followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron (18.0% and 17.7%) @ 0.2%, Boron @ 0.2 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5% (17.6% and 17.4%), KNO3 @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.2% over the control from initial month to the end of storage period. The average oil content recorded at the beginning and end of storage period was 17.54% and 17.33%, respectively. The lower values of oil content were observed in the untreated (Control) seeds during the storage period (16.8% and 16.5%).

Table 9. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on 100 seed weight (g) of soybean

Storage period (months)

Treatments

Initial 1 2 3 4 5 6

T0 : Control 10.77 10.6 10.5 10.2 10.0 9.7 8.7

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 11.70 11.7 11.4 11.1 10.8 10.6 10.6

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 12.20 12.1 12.0 11.5 11.0 10.8 10.7

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 12.37 12.2 12.1 11.7 11.3 11.2 10.9

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 12.73 12.6 12.5 12.3 12.0 11.9 11.7

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 13.33 13.1 13.0 12.7 12.5 12.5 12.3

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 12.90 12.5 12.3 12.0 11.5 11.5 11.3

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 14.10 13.9 13.9 13.5 13.3 12.5 12.4

Mean 12.51 12.33 12.20 11.87 11.54 11.32 11.06

S.Em± 1.15 1.14 1.17 0.57 1.1 0.96 1.2



Table 10. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on root length (cm) of soybean


Treatments

Initial 1 2 3 4 5 6

T0 : Control 14.4 14.3 14.2 14.1 14.0 13.6 13.2

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 14.5 14.4 14.3 14.2 14.1 13.7 13.4

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 14.6 14.5 14.4 14.3 14.2 13.9 13.7

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 14.7 14.6 14.5 14.4 14.3 14.0 13.8

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 14.9 14.8 14.7 14.6 14.5 14.4 14.1

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 15.0 14.9 14.8 14.7 14.6 14.5 14.2

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 14.8 14.7 14.6 14.5 14.4 14.1 14.0

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 15.1 15.0 14.9 14.8 14.7 14.6 14.4

Mean 14.74 14.64 14.54 14.46 14.37 14.09 13.84

S.Em± 0.78 0.80 0.78 0.77 0.76 0.80 0.84



Table 11. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on shoot length (cm) of soybean


Treatments

Initial 1 2 3 4 5 6

T0 : Control 13.0 12.7 12.4 12.4 12.3 12.1 12.0

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 13.1 12.8 12.5 12.5 12.4 12.3 12.1

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 13.2 13.0 12.7 12.7 12.6 12.5 12.2

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 13.3 13.2 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.6 12.4

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 13.5 13.4 13.2 13.0 12.9 12.8 12.6

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 13.7 13.5 13.3 13.1 13.0 12.9 12.7

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 13.4 13.3 13.1 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.5

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 13.8 13.6 13.5 13.3 13.2 13.0 12.8

Mean 13.35 13.18 12.96 12.83 12.74 12.60 12.39

S.Em± 0.69 0.68 0.67 0.70 0.69 0.70 0.64


NS – Non significan

t

Table 12. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling length (cm) of soybean


Treatments

Initial 1 2 3 4 5 6

T0 : Control 27.3 27.0 26.6 26.5 26.3 25.6 25.2

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 27.6 27.2 26.9 26.8 26.5 26.0 25.5

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 27.8 27.5 27.2 27.0 26.9 26.4 25.9

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 28.0 27.7 27.4 27.2 27.0 26.6 26.2

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 28.4 28.2 27.9 27.7 27.4 27.2 26.6

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 28.7 28.4 28.1 27.8 27.7 27.4 26.8

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 28.2 27.9 27.7 27.4 27.2 26.8 26.5

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 28.9 28.6 28.4 28.0 27.9 27.6 27.2

Mean 28.09 27.82 27.51 27.29 27.10 26.68 26.24

S.Em± 093 0.98 0.97 0.95 0.96 1.00 1.03



Table 13. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling vigour index


Treatments

Initial 1 2 3 4 5 6

T0 : Control 2321 2292 2251 2132 2107 2045 1992

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 2349 2311 2282 2180 2149 2098 2056

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 2393 2363 2332 2227 2207 2160 2112

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 2439 2403 2375 2273 2250 2213 2170

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 2507 2489 2460 2389 2362 2332 2280

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 2559 2510 2490 2428 2408 2376 2319

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 2478 2449 2430 2320 2289 2244 2212

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 2575 2539 2520 2474 2457 2421 2381

Mean 2452 2420 2392 2303 2278 2236 2190

S.Em± 88.56 86.96 85.65 108.3 110.21 112.33 112.79


NS - Non significant

Fig. 7 : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling vigour index

Table 14. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seedling dry weight (mg) of soybean


Treatments

Initial 1 2 3 4 5 6

T0 : Control 100.47 97.7 95.4 94.9 94.2 92.9 92.2

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 100.65 98.5 96.1 95.6 95.1 93.9 92.9

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 102.15 99.0 97.0 96.7 96.0 94.0 93.1

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 102.31 99.5 98.2 97.7 97.2 95.7 94.4

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 105.93 101.0 100.7 100.5 100.2 98.2 98.3

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 106.07 102.4 102.0 101.5 100.8 98.5 98.4

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 102.73 100.0 99.5 99.0 98.7 97.7 94.8

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 106.12 103.1 103.0 102.8 101.8 99.3 98.8

Mean 102.73 100.13 98.8 98.58 97.99 96.27 95.35

S.Em± 2.01 0.52 2.66 2.73 2.73 2.25 2.28



Table 15. Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on oil content of soybean

Oil content (%)

Treatments

Initial month Final month

T0 : Control 16.8 16.5

T1 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% 17.0 17.1

T2 : Boron @ 0.2% 17.4 17.2

T3 : KNO3 @ 0.5% 17.6 17.3

T4 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% 17.7 17.5

T5 : ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 18.0 17.7

T6 : Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% 17.6 17.4

T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2 KNO3 @ 0.5% 18.1 18.0

Mean 17.5 17.33

S.Em.± 0.21 0.16

C.D. (P=0.05) 0.63 0.45

Fig. 8 : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on oil content (%) of soybean

DISCUSSION A balanced fertilization with macro and micronutrients in plant nutrition is very important in the

production of high yield with high quality seeds (Sawan et al., 2001). For adequate plant growth and production, micronutrients are needed in small quantities; however, their deficiencies cause a great disturbance in the physiological and metabolic processes in the plant (Bacha et al., 1997). Foliar feeding is a relatively new technique of feeding plants by applying liquid fertilizer directly to their leaves (Bernal et al., 2007 and Baloch et al., 2008). Throughout the world microelements such as Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu are added to foliar fertilizers, in order to compensate their deficiency especially in arid and semi arid regions (Kaya et al., 2005). Micronutrients, especially Fe and Zn, act either as metal components of various enzymes or as functional, structural, or regulatory cofactors. Thus, they are associated with saccharide metabolism, photo-synthesis and protein synthesis (Marschner, 1995). In recent years, the role of micronutrients is gaining much importance particularly in soybean to boost up the productivity and also to improve the seed quality. The application of nutrients like zinc sulphate, boron and potassium nitrate brings about profound changes in various metabolic processes within the plant system and thereby, influence the seed yield potential (Pramod Kumar et al., 1999 and Tripathy et al., 1999).

Soybean is a pulse cum oil seed crop, its productivity relies greatly on external factors which include weather condition prevailing during critical phases of crop growth and the nutrient supply which influence the internal physiological process that results in yield. The relevant research studies on improvement of production potential in soybean are meagre and hence, attempt was made to find out the effect of foliar spray of micronutrients on growth, seed yield, quality attributes and storability in soybean variety Dsb-1. The results obtained from the investigation are discussed here under in light of the work done by other research workers on pulses and other related crops.

5.1 Experiment I : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield and quality of soybean

5.1.1 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on growth parameters

The foliar application of different micronutrients and their combined effect on growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index showed significant differences in all the treatments as compared to the control.In the present investigation, the foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) + Boron (0.2%)+ KNO3 (0.5%) at 30 and 45 DAS recorded higher plant height, more number of leaves per plant and took lesser number of days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity. The improvement in above growth parameters might be due to the foliar feeding of micronutrients which is more effective when roots are unable to absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil due to higher degree of fixation, loss due to leaching, low soil temperature and lack of soil moisture. The results of the present investigation are in line with the findings of Wv and Xiao (1992) in soybean; Krishnaveni et al. (2004) and Restrepos (1987) in soybean and Padma et al. (1989) in french bean.

It was observed that foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) + Boron (0.2%) + KNO3 (0.5%) at 30 and 45 DAS recorded significantly maximum plant height (58.70 cm) over control (52.60 cm) which might be due to the involvement of zinc in chlorophyll formation, which have helped to favour cell division, meristematic activity in apical tissue, expansion of cell and formation of new cell wall. The supply of such important micronutrients in the early crop growth phase, which intern encouraged early vigorous growth. Similar beneficial effect of micronutrients on plant height was reported by Krishnaveni et al. (2004) in green gram and (Upadhyay, 1994) in cotton.

The number of leaves, leaf area index were also higher at 45 DAS and at the time of harvest in the treatment of ZnSO4 (0.3%) + Boron (0.2%)+ KNO3 (0.5%) imposed at 30 and 45 DAS over control. Similar beneficial effect of micronutrients on number of leaves reported in french bean by Chandel et al. (1989) and Singh et al. (1998) in mung bean. Govindan and Thirumurugan (2000) in

greengram. Ingle et al. (1993) in chilli and similarly by Singh and Verma (1991 and Bose and Tripathi (1996) in tomato.

The results revealed that days to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity were influenced significantly due to foliar application of micronutrients. However, lesser number of days (37.40 days) to 50 per cent flowering and days to maturity (82 days) were noticed due to foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) + Boron (0.2%)+ KNO3 (0.5%) imposed at 30 and 45 DAS as compared to other treatments.

This might be due to efficient translocation of sugar within the plants and also production of growth promoting substances, carbohydrates and synthesis of nucleic acids inturn helped in early flowering. Similar observations were noticed in cotton by Silva et al. (1982) and Ullagaddi (2000).

5.1.2 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield and yield attributing characters

Seed yield and quality is more important than total biological yield which results from different combination of many physiological processes based on the environment under which the crop is grown. Seed yield and quality depends upon production of photosynthates and their distribution among various plant parts. The synthesis, accumulation and translocation of photosynthates depend upon efficient photosynthetic structure as well as source to sink relation and also on plant growth and development during early stage of crop growth. Since, production as well as translocation of photo-synthates is directly or indirectly dependent on seed production practices.

In the present investigation, the foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) + Boron (0.2%)+ KNO3

(0.5%) imposed at 30 and 45 DAS recorded higher seed yield and yield attributes like number of pods per plant, seed weight per plant(g), Seed weight per plot(kg) , and seed yield kg per ha. Improvement in seed yield directly depends on number of pods per plant, pod weight per plant and seed weight per plant (g). In soybean, the seed yield depends on the accumulation of photoasimilates and partitioning in different parts of the plant. The yield is strongly influenced by the application of micronutrients indicating the role of these micronutrients in increasing the yield through their effect on various morpho-physiological traits. Micronutrients like zinc, boron and KNO3 involved in the biochemical synthesis of phyto-hormone, which improved the yield and its attributes. The application of nutrients like Zinc sulphate, Boron and Potassium nitrate brings about profound changes in various metabolic processes within the plant system and thereby, influence the seed yield potential (Pramod Kumar et al., 1999 and Tripathy et al., 1999).

The micronutrients are capable of redistributing dry matter in the plant system there by bringing about an improvement in the yield and its attributes as it was reported by, Wankhade et al. (1994) hybrid seeds, Anonymous (1995) cotton and Raja Rajeshwari (1996) in cotton. The soybean seed yield directly depends on number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed weight per plant, seed weight per plot.

Hundred seed weight is also one of the yield contributing components however, which did not differ significantly due to higher number of seeds per plant. Numerically higher 100 seed weight (14.93 g) was recorded in T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%) compared to T0 (control) (10.77 g). Increased 100 seed weight may be due to the supplies of more nutrients in turn resulted in proper development of seed in the plant thereby increased the 100 seed weight in (T7) ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%+KNO3@ 0.5% compared to control (T0).

The differences in the seed yield per hectare due to the influence of different application of micronutrient could be related to their seed yield per plant. The application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2%+KNO3@ 0.5% recorded significantly higher seed yield per plant (7.89 g ), over ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ KNO3@ 0.5% (7.37 g) followed by ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% and Boron @ 0.2 % + KNO3 @ 0.5% (7.29 and 7.02g, respectively) compared to T0 (control). However, higher seed yield (2655 kg/ha) in the treatment of T7 (ZnSO4 @ 0.3+ Boron @ 0.2%+KNO3@ 0.5%) was recorded while significantly lower seed yield (2281 kg ha

-1) was noticed in T0 (control). Similar results were reported

by Tiwari and Yadava (1990) in Siratro plant, Sarkar and Mukhopadhyay (1990) in rice and Sudarshan and Ramaswami, (1993) in groundnut and blackgram cropping system. The marked rise in seed yield parameters recorded by application of micronutrients may be ascribed to higher translocation of metabolites from source to sink (seed) and carbohydrate metabolism and synthesis of nucleic acids.These results are in agreement with the findings of Gopalgowda et al (1994) and Kiss (1997) in groundnut and Balusumani et al (1996) in soybean.

5.1.3 Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed quality Parameters

Good seed is the basis for successful crop production. The quality seeds are ensured with uniform germination, rapid root and shoot development and resulted in increase in the yield per unit area. However realization of seed yield always depends on production of superior quality seeds as further dividends in cultivation of crops depends on utility of quality seeds without which targeted profits cannot be achieved.

The seed quality parameters differed significantly due to application of different foliar micronutrient application.

Did not differ Significantly numerically higher germination percentage (89.3%), root length (15.1cm),shoot length (13.8 cm), seedling length (28.9) seeding dry weight (106.12 mg), seedling vigour index (2574) and oil content (18.13%) were recorded with the application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3@ 0.5%, which was on par with the T5 [ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + KNO3 @ 0.5%] (89 %, 15.0cm, 22.3 cm, 28.7cm 13.07cm mg, 2558 and 18.3%, respectively).

The seed quality parameters like germination percentage, shoot length, root length, seedling length, seedling vigour index, seedling dry weight, oil content revealed marked variation due to the nutrients. Among the nutrients ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+Boron @ 0.2 %+ KNO3@ 0.5%, recorded numerically higher germination percentage, shoot length, root length, seedling length, seedling vigour index, seedling dry weight, oil content as compared to all treatments .

This beneficial effect of foliar application of micronutrient were exhibited only when it was applied in conjunction which could be due to synergistic role of micronutrient in increasing the nutrient availability and sustaining it over a period of time as compared to their individual application. Similar results were reported by Reddy (1983) in alfalfa and Ramezani and Shekafandeh (2011) in soybean. Further, Rubes (1984), Hugar and Kurdikeri (2000) who have reported an enhanced in seed quality parameters in pea and soybean respectively and they were of the opinion that the increased in seed quality parameters noticed in ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @0.2 + KNO3@ 0.5%, was due to its better translocation and metabolism as a carrier of phosphate nutrients particularly into the seed as well as activator of enzymes like transphosphorylase, dehydrogenase and carboxylase.


Seed storage is an integrated part of well planned and timely executed seed programme for maintenance of high quality seeds in terms of germination, vigour and health. During storage, considerable quantities of seeds are lost due to biotic and abiotic factors. In order to prevent quantitative and qualitative seed losses in storage an attempt was made to know the effect of foliar spray of micronutrients on mother plant at 30 and 45 DAS during crop growth stage on storability in soybean. A laboratory experiment was initiated under ambient condition for six months storage period with eight treatments (T0) viz., control of seed, (T1) ZnSO4 @0.3%of seed, (T2) Boron @ 0.2% seeds , (T3) KNO3 @ 0.5% of seed, (T4) ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2% of seed, (T5) ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5% of seed, (T6) Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @ 0.5% and (T7)Boron @ 0.2+ ZnSO4 @ 0.3+ KNO3@ 0.5% of seeds.

In the present storage study, all the seed quality parameters did not differ significantly among the treatments during the entire period of storage. Seed germination, root length, shoot length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index of seed were numerically higher (92.00%, 23.00 cm, 20.7 cm, 106.12 mg and 3713 respectively) in the initial period but declined gradually to lower value (86.8%, 18.8 cm, 18.8 cm, 98.5 mg, and 2460.8 respectively) at the end of six months of storage period. The decrease in the seed quality parameters under advancing storage period may be attributed to seed coat characters (Delouche, 1973), age induced physicochemical seed deterioration, lipid peroxidation leading to production of toxic metabolites that act upon cell and cell organelles (Maguire, 1977 and Sohal, 1987) denaturation of proteins and enzymes (Roberts, 1972). Similar decline in seed quality parameters with advancing storage period were also reported by Negalur (2000) in soybean seeds. The oil content of seeds was found significant due to foliar application of micronutrients. The treatment T7 exhibited higher values of oil content during storage period. These results are in agreement with the findings of Niranjana et al (2005) and vyakaranahal et al (2001) who reported enhanced oil content in groundnut and sunflower respectively.

Practical application of results

Based on the results obtained from the field and laboratory studies, the following suggestions can be made from the investigation.

1. Foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) in combination with Boron (0.2%) and KNO3 (0.5%) gave significantly higher seed yield (2655 kg/ha) as compared to control (2281 kg/ha).

2. Foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) in combination with Boron (0.2%) and KNO3 (0.5%) gave numerically higher seed quality parameters as compared to control.

3. Foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) in combination with Boron (0.2%) and KNO3 (0.5%) gave numerically higher seed quality parameters as compared to control during six months of storage period.

Future line of work

In continuation of the present investigation, the following future line of work can be taken up for producing higher quality seed in soybean.

1. Investigations on foliar application of varying doses of micronutrients at critical stages of the plant growth may be taken up.

2. The storability studies may also be conducted to maintain viability for longer period by treating seeds with micronutrients.

3. There is a need to standardize the concentrations of macronutrients and stage of spraying for higher seed yield and quality in of soybean.

4. The application of micronutrients in addition to boron, zinc and KNO3 may be initiated to exploit the basic mechanism involved in seed yield and quality improvement.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The field and laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield, quality and storability of soybean Cv. Dsb-1 at Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad during the year 2012-13. The salient results of the present investigation are experiment is summarized below.

Experiment-I : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield and quality of soybean

The field experiment consisted of eight treatments and it was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and their results are summarised here under.

Application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 + Boron @ 0.2+ KNO3 @ 0.5% recorded significantly higher plant height (18.30 cm, 53.67 cm and 58.70 cm) , number of leaves per plant (32.83, 58.63 and 95.67, respectively) and leaf area index (2.38,3.60 and 5.08) at 45 and at the time of harvest except 30DAS.

Application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 + Boron @ 0.2+ KNO3 @ 0.5% took significantly less number of days to 50 per cent flowering (37.40 DAS) and crop maturity (82.00 DAS) as against control (40.3 and 90.53, respectively) .

Application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ Boron @ 0.2+ KNO3 @ 0.5% showed superior performance over other treatments recording significantly higher values for all the yield attributes like number of pods per plant (39.67), number of seeds per pod (2.51) , seed yield per plant (1.67g) and seed yield (2655 kg ha

-1), while control recorded significantly lower values for all the yield parameters (34.47,

2.14, 6.32 g 1.42 and 2281.67q ha-1

, respectively) .

The application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5% significantly influence the seed quality parameters viz., germination (88.3 %), root length (15 cm), shoot length (13.6 cm), seedling dry weight (103.1 mg) and seeding vigour index (2) were significantly higher compared to control (85 %, 14.3 cm, 13 cm, 97.7 mg and 3258 , respectively) .

Experiment-II : Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on storability of soybean

Seeds produced by using different foliar application of micronutrients did not differ in seed quality parameters during storage period but exhibited decreasing trend throughout the six months of storage period

• The seed obtained from the plants sprayed with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% +Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @

0.5%) recorded numerically higher germination (89%) as against control (85%) at the end of six month storage period.

• Root length, shoot length and seedling length were numerically higher (14.4 cm and 12.7 cm respectively) in seed obtained from treatment of ZnSO4 @ 0.3% +Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @

0.5%) compared to control (13.2 and 12.1 respectively) at the end of six month storage period.

• Seedling vigour index and seedling dry weight were comparatively more (2574 and 106.12) in seeds obtained from the plants sprayed with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2% + KNO3 @

0.5%) as against control (2321 and 100.47) at the end of six month storage period.

• The seed obtained from the plants sprayed with ZnSO4 @ 0.3% +Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @

0.5%) recorded consistently more oil content (18.13%) as against control (18%) at the end of six month storage period.

Conclusions

• Based on the present study it can be inferred that the foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) combined with Boron (0.2%) and KNO3 ( 0.5%) at 30 and 45 DAS found better for obtaining higher seed yield and quality in soybean Cv. Dsb-1.

• Based on the present investigation it is suggested that the foliar application of ZnSO4 (0.3%) combined with Boron (0.2%) and KNO3 (0.5% at 30 and 45 DAS found better in maintaining the seed quality during storage period of six months in soybean Cv. Dsb-1.

REFERENCES

Abdul-Baki, A. A. and Anderson, J. D., 1973, Vigour determination in soybean seed by multiple criteria. Crop Sci., 13 : 630-633.

Anonymous, 1995, Hybrid Cotton Production Technology, National Level Training Manual,Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad, pp. 4-47.

Anonymous, 1995, ICAR, National Seed Projects (Crops), New Delhi, pp. 26.

Anonymous, 1999, International Rules for Seed Testing. Seed Sci and Technol. 27 27-32.

Anonymous, 2011, Soybean Monthly Report , July.

Bacha, M. A., Sabbah, A. M. and Hamady, M. A., 1997, Effect of foliar application of iron, zinc and manganese on yield, berry quality and leaf mineral composition of Thompson seedless and roomy red grape cultivars. J. King Saud Univ., Agric. Sci., 1 (9): 127-140.

Baloch, Q. B., Chachar, Q. I. and Tareen, M. N., 2008, Effect of foliar application of macro and micro nutrients on production of green chilies (Capsicum annuum L.). J. Agric. Tech., 4(2): 177-184.

Balusami, M., Ravichandra, V. K. and Balasubramanian, N., 1996, Effect of zinc boron and FYM on growth and yield of soybean. Madras Agril. J., 83 (2):134.

Basole, V. D., Deotale, R. D., Illmulwar, S. R., Raut, S. S. and Kadwe, S. B., 2003, Effect of hormone and nutrients on morphological characters and yield of soybean. J. Soil & Crops, 13(1): 135-139.

Berger, K. C., 1949, Boron in seed and plant. Adv. Agron., 1 : 321-351.

Bernal, M., Cases, R., Picorel, R. and Yruela, I., 2007, Foliar and root Cu supply affect differently Fe and Zn-uptake and photosynthetic activity in soybean plants. Environ. Exp. Botany., 60: 145–150.

Bhanavase, D. B., Jadhav, B. R., Kshirsagar, C. R. and Patil, P. L., 1994, Studies on chlorophyll, nodulation, nitrogen fixation, soybean yield and their correlations as influenced by micronutrients. Madras Agril. J., 82 : 229-230.

Blany, F.P.C., Chapman, J. and Smith, M. F., 1981, Boron fertilization and soil Arneriolation effects in the seed nutrition of spanish groundnut. Crop Prod., pp. 143 - 146.

Bora, P. C. and Hazarika, U., 1997, Effect of lime and boron on rainfed toria (Brassica campestrtis subsp Oleifera var. Toria). Indian J. Agron., 42 : 361-364.

Bose, U. S. and Tripathi, S. K., 1996, Effect of micronutrients on growth, yield and quality of tomato Cv. Pusa Ruby in MP. Crop Res., 12 : 61-64.

Bowszys, T., 1996, Response of winter rape to foliar application of boron fertilizer. Zesyty Problemowe Portepow Nauk Rolniczych, 434 (1) : 71-76.

Chandel, A. S., Tiwari, S. K. and Saxena, S. C., 1989, Effect of micronutrient application on soybean (Glycine max.) growth in Uttar Pradesh foothills. Indian J. Agril. Sci., 59: 62-63.

Christopher Lourduraj, A., Krishnan, P. K. and Geethalakshmi, L., 1997, Micronutrient fertilization in groundnut. Madras Agric. J., 34(7) : 362-363.

Cohen, M. S. and Lepper, R. Jr., 1977, Effect of Boron on cell elongation and division in squash roots. Plant Physiol., 59 : 884-887.

Das, S. and Sarkar, A. K., 1981, Effect of post-flowering foliar spray of potassium nitrate solution on grain filling and yield of rice and wheat. Indian Agriculturist, 25 : 267- 273.

Dastane, N. G., 1967, A Practical Manual for Water Use Research in Agriculture. Navabharat Prakashan, Pune, p. 120.

Datta, N. P. and Gurubasavaraj, H., 1955, Influence of boron and molybdenum on nodulation yield and fertility building value of berseem. Bull. Nat .Inst Sci., 8 : 33-40.

Delouche, J. C., Matter, R. K., Dougherty, G. M. and Boyde, A. H., 1973, Storage of seeds in tropical regions. Seed Sci. Technol., 1: 671-700.

Deo Sarkar, D. B., Jadhav, D. J., Nayeem, K.A. and Patange, S. P., 2002, Effect micronutrients on seed quality of soybean. Seed Tech News, 32 : 15-16.

Dwivedi, G. K., Dwivedi, M. and Pal, S. S, 1990, Modes of application of micronutrients in acid soil in soybean-wheat crop sequence. J. Indian Soc. for Soil Sci., 38:458-463.

Galrao, E. Z., 1989, Effect of micronutrients and cobalt on soybean yield on Cerrodo soil. Revista Brasileira de Ciencia do Solo, 13: 41-44.

Gopalgowda, N., Shivaraj, B. and Andanigowda, 1994, Effect of zinc and molybdenum application on yield and uptake of zinc by groundnut. J. Res., 12(1) : 133-136.

Govindan, K. and Thirumurugan, V., 2000, Response of green gram to foliar nutrition of potassium, J. Maharashtra Agril. Univ., 25: 302-303.

Grewal, H. S., Williams, R. and Phillips. M., 2000, Zinc improves forage yield and disease resistance in Alfalfa cultivators . Proc.-Reports of the American Forage and Grassland Council.37

th

North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference, Madison, July, 16-19, 2000. PP. 246-250.

Gupta, P. K. and Vyas, K. K., 1994, Effect of phosphorus, zinc and molybdenum on the yield and quality of soybean. Leg. Res., 17 : 5-7.

Gupta, S. P., Stinder Dev and Dev, S., 1999, Comparative response of some rabi crops to zinc application in ustipsamment soil of Haryana. Ann. of Agri Bio Res., 4(2):157-160.

Gupta, V.K. and Patalia, B. S., 1987, Effect of Mo and Zn on yield of peanut. Journal of Indian Society of Soil Science, 35 (1) :82-84.

Halepyati, A. S., 2001, Effect of moisture regimes and zinc levels on the growth and yield of summer groundnut. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 14: 451-453.

Hallock, D.L. And Porter, D.M., 1981, Effects of applied plant nutrients on Scleortia blight incidence in peanuts. Peanut Science, 8 : 48-52.

Hugar, A. B. and Kurdikeri, M. B., 2000, Effect of application methods and levels of zinc and molybdenum on field performance and seed yield in soybean. Karnataka j. Agric. Sci., 13: 439-441.

Ingle, V. G., Thakre, A. U., Badhe, S. B. and Khan, M. A. H., 1993, Effect of foliar spray of auxins, micronutrients with urea on fruit drop and yield of chilli cv. CA-960. Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth Res. J., 17 : 142-145.

Jackson, M. L., 1973, Soil Chemical Analysis, Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, p. 498.

Jain, N. K. and Sharma, P. P., 2000, Integrated nutrient management in mustard. J. Oil Seed Res., 17(1): 127-129.

Jayarami Reddy, P., Narasimharao, K. L. and Subbarao, D. V., 1996, Effect of NAA and KNO3 on dry matter production in pigeonpea. Leg. Res., 12(1): 28-30.

Kaya, M., Atak, M., Mahmood Khawar, K. and Cifti, C. Y., 2005, Effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with zinc and foliar spray of humic acids on yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Intnat. J. Agri. Biol., 6(7): 875–878.

Khan Ahmed, T., Venugopal, K., Devaiah, C. and Senappa, K., 1990, Effect of secondary nutrients and Boron on some growth characters and yield in sunflower. J. Oilseeds Res., 7: 136 - 139.

Khurana, N. and Chatterjee, C., 2002, Effect of zinc on reproductive physiology of pea (Pisum sativum). Indian J. Agric. Sci., 72: 57-59.

Kiss, A. S., 1997, Effect of magnesium on growth yield and quality on garden pea, Kertgazdasag, 9:67-72

Krishna, S., 1995, Effect of sulphur and zinc application on yield, S and Zn uptake and protein content of mung (Greengram). Legume Res., 18: 89-92.

Krishnaveni, S. A., Palchamy, A. and Mahendran, S., 2004, Effect of foliar spray of nutrients on growth and yield of greengram (Phaseolus radiates). Leg. Res., 27(2): 149-150.

Kuldeep Singh and Bhobria, R. D., 1987, Effect of copper and zinc on the dry matter yield and nutrient composition of wheat. Haryana Agril. Univ. Res. J., 17 (4) : 312-318.

Kuldeep Singh and Hansraj, 2001, Effect of micronutrients application on yield of clusterbean in a typic torrips asssment. Leg. Res., 24 (1) : 67-68.

Kulkarni, N. G. and Eshanna, M.R. 1989. Effect of pre-soaking of maize seeds on seed quality. Seed Res., 16(1): 37-40.

Kuruppaiah, P., 2005, Foliar application of micronutrients on growth, flowering and yield characters of brinjal cv. Annamalai. Plant Archives, 5(2): 605-608.

Kushwaha, B. L., 1993, Response of urdbean to phosphorus and zinc application. Indian J. Pulse Res., 6(2) : 152-154.

Macha, S., 2004, Influence of nutritions and stages of harvesting on seed yield and quality in cluster bean M.Sc. (Agri.) Thesis, Univ. Agric. Sci., Dharwad, Karnataka (India).

Madero, P., Pequerul, A., Perez, C., Val, J. and Mange, E., 1993, Specificity of iron in some aspects of soybean (Glycine max L.) physiology. In optimization of plant nutrition referred papers from the Eighth Intnat. Colloquium for the Optimization of Plant Nutrition, 31 August 8 September, 1992, Lisbon, Portugal. Ed. Fragosa, M. A. C. and Beusichem, M. L. Van. Dordrecht Netherlands, Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 497-509

Mahajan, B., Chanan, A. S. and Dongale, J. H., 1994, Effect of Boron on yield and quality of groundnut in Laterite soils. Indian J. Agri. Sc., 64(8): 532-535.

Manonmani, V., Raja, D. and Gopalan, A., 2002, Effect of foliar spraying with nutrients on seed production and seed quality of Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). Seed Tech News, 32 : 34.

Maquire, J. D., 1977, Seed Quality and Germination. In: A Khan (Ed.) The physiology and biochemistry of seed dormancy and germination, pp. 219-235.

Marschner, H., 1995, Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. 2ed. New York: Academic Press, p. 889.

Masoodali and Mishra, J. P., 2001, Effect of foliar nutrition of boron and molybdenum on chickpea. Indian J. Pulses Res., 14(1) : 41-43.

Mishra, S. K., Shrivastava, G. K., Pandey, D. and Tripathi, R. S., 2001, Optimization of chickpea production through nutrient management and growth regulators under rice based cropping system in vertisols. Ann. of Agric. Res., 22(2) : 299-301.

Mishra, S. M. and Patil, D., 1985, Effect of boron on seed yield in Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). J. Agron. Crop Sci, 158 :34-37.

Mondal, C., Bandopadhyay, P., Alipatra, A. and Banerjee, H., 2012, Performance of mungbean [Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek] under different irrigation regimes and boran levels. J. Food Legumes, 25 (1): 37-40.

Moussa, B. I. M., Dahdoh, M. S. A. and Shehata, H. M., 1996, Interaction effect of some micronutrients on yield, elemental composition and oil content of peanut. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 27 : 5-8.

Muhr, G. R., Dalla, N. P., Shankarambramaney, H., Leley, V. R. and Danahue, R. L., 1965, Soil Testing in India, USAID, New Delhi, pp. 39-41.

Naik, K. R., Ramgiry, S. R. and Jain, P. K., 2002, Effect of micronutrients, sulphur and nitrogen on seed yield and quality in soybean. Seed Tech News, 32 : 149.

Nautiyal, N., Chatterjee, C. and Agarwal, S. C., 1997, Molybdenum nutrition of blackgram and greengram. Proceedings of the International Congress on Plant Physiology, New Delhi, pp. 15-20.

Negalur, S. B., 2000, Effect of seed invigoration on storability and field performance of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill). M.Sc.(Agri.) Thesis, Univ. of Agric. Sci., Dharwad.

NiranjanA, S. S., Prakash, Basavegowda, Yelladhalli, N. A. and Chandranath, H. T., 2005, Effect of micronutrient seed treatment on growth and yield of groundnut. Seed Res., 33 (2): 138-141.

Noor, S., Hannan, M. A. and Islam, M. S., 1997, Effect of boron and molybdenum on the growth and yield of groundnut. Indian J. Agric. Res., 31(1): 5 1-58.

Padma, M., Reddy, S. A. and Babu, R., 1989, Effect of foliar sprays of molybdenum (Mo) and boron (B) on vegetative growth and dry matter production of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). J. Res., Andhra Pradesh Agril. Univ., 17 : 87-89.

Panse, V. G. and Sukhatme, P. V., 1978, Statistical Methods for Agricultural Workers,ICAR, New Delhi, pp. 167-174.

Pearce, R. S. and Abdel Samad, I. M., 1980, Change in fatty acid content of polar lipids during ageing of seed of peanut. J. Exp. Botany, 31 (124) : 1283-1290.

Piper, C. S., 1966, Soil and Plant Analysis. Academic Press, New York and Hans Publishers, Bombay, pp. 28-46.

Pivovarova, 1985, Some methods of increasing seed yield of irrigated lucerne. Selktsiya Semenovodstvo, 1: 41146.

Prabhu, D., 2000, Influence of plant growth regulators and micronutrients in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]. M. Sc. (Agri.) Thesis, Univ. Agric. Sci., Dharwad, Karnataka (India).

Pramod Kumar, Dube, S. D. and Chauhan, V. S., 1999, Effect of salicylic acid an growth, development and sum biochemical aspects of soybean (Glycine max L Merrill.). Indian J. Plant Physiol, 4 : 327-330

Prasad, K. K., Choudhary, B. M. and Amrendrakumar, 1997, Response of tomato to boron application in Chotanagpur Region. J. Res. (BAU), 9(2): 145-147.

Raghav, M. and Sharma, R. D., 2003, Growth and yield in tomato-okra-vegetable pea cropping sequence as affected by levels of methods of zinc application. Prog. Hort., 35(1) : 96-99.

Raja Rajeswari, V., 1996, Foliar application of growth regulators and nutrients on boll development and yield in cotton. J. Indian Soc. for Cotton Improvement, 21: 71.

Ramezani, S. and Shekafandeh. A., Influence of Zn and K Sprays on Fruit and Pulp Growth in Olive Iran Agricultural Research, Vol. 30, No.1& 2, 2011

Rathinavel, K., Dharmalingam, C. and Paneersewam, S., 1999, Effect of micronutrient on the productivity and quality of cotton seed Cv. TCB 209 (Gossypium barbadense L.). Madras Agricultural Journal, 86: 313-316

Ravichandran, D. G., Thiagarajan, C. P. and Khare, D., 1994 effect of accelerated ageing on germinability, viability and field performance in maize. Seed Tech. News, 24 (4) :91.

Reddy, B. P. M., 1983, Effect of foliar application of zinc and iron on yield and seed quality in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). M.Sc. (Agri.) Thesis, Univ. of Agric. Sci., Bangalore, Karnataka (India).

Rene, B., 1988, Effect of mineral nitrogen and some mineral nutrients on seed yields and embryo survival in two biotypes of Lucerne. Painting Pulawski, 98: 113- 130.

Restrepos, L. D., Zarate, B. and Castellar, P. N., 1987, The effect of boron, zinc and on dual purpose (fodder and grain) of soybean. Glycine max (L.) Merrill. Acta Agronomica, 37 : 60-65

Roberts, E. H., 1972, Storage Environment and Control Of Viability. In: Variability of seeds. Eds. E. H. Roberts, Chapman and Hall Limited, London, pp. 14-18.

Roberts, R.K., Gerkman, J.M. and Howard, D.D., 2000, Soil and foliar applied boron in cotton production on economic analysis. Journal of Cotton Science, 4 (3): 171-177.

Rodrigues, S. D., Rodrigues, J. D., Ono, E. O., Pedras, J. F., Moraes, J. A. and Delachiave, M. E. A., 1997, Effect of deficiency of some mineral nutrients on the development of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. Santa Rosa) plants. Phyton (Buenos Aires), 60 : 51-62.

Rubes, L., 1984, Effect of foliar application of magnesium on growth and yield of peas Cv. Bohayr and Smaragd Rasthinna Vyroba. J. Agril. Sci., 30:505-514

Sarkar, A.K. and Mukhopadhyay, M., 1990, Response of rice cultivars to post flowering foliar application of potassium nitrate solution. Indian Agriculturist, 34 119-122.

Sarkar, R. K. and Malik, G. C., 2001, Effect of foliar spray of potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate on grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) grown in rice fallows. Lathyrus Lathyrism Newsletter 2.

Sarkar, R. K., Chakraborty, A., Anita, and Saha, A., 1999, Effect of foliar application of potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea). Indian J. Agron., 44 (4) : 809-812.

Sarkar, S. and Aery, N. C., 1990, Effect of zinc on growth of soybean. Indian J. Plant Physiol., 33 : 239-241.

Sawan, Z. M., Hafez, S. A. and Basyony, A. E., 2001, Effect of phosphorus fertilization and foliar application of chelated zinc and calcium on seed, protein and oil yields and oil properties of cotton. J. Agric. Sci., 136:191-198.

Selim, M. M., 1992, Effect of sowing methods and foliar nutrition with urea and some micronutrients on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill). Egyptian J. Agron., 17: 141-151.

Sestak, A. L., Catasky, T. And Jarvis, P. G., 1971, Plant Photosynthetic Production Manual of Methods, Ed. Dr. Junk, W. N. V., Publication, the Gaghu, pp. 343-345.

Shanmugavel, S., Varier, A. and Dadlani, M., 1996, Physiological attributes associated with seed ageing in soybean cultivar. Seed Res., 23(2):61-66.

Sharma, S. K., 1995, Response of boron and calcium nutrition on plant growth, fruit and seed yield of tomato. Veg. Sci., 22: 27-29.

Shekhargouda, M., 1983, Effect of sulphur and zinc on seed yield, quality and storability in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). M.Sc. (Agri.) Thesis Univ. Agric. Sci., Bangalore, Karnataka (India).

Shelge, B. S., Sontakey, J. S. and Sondge, V. D., 2000, Influence of micronutrients on yield of soybean. Madras Agric. J., 87 : 538-540.

Sherrell, C. G., 1983, Effect of Boron application on seed production on New Zealand herbage legumes. New Zealand J. Exp. Agric., 11(2): 113-1 17.

Shinde, A. K., Jamadagni, B. M., Arid Birari, S. P., 1991, Effect of Foliar spray of Indian Growth Regulators and KNO3 on growth and yield of Cowpea. Indian J. Plant Physiol., 24(4): 392-395.

Shrivastava, P. C., Ubaid Khan and Pant, L. M., 2006, Effect of N and Zn interaction on nodulation, yields and nutrient concentrations of French bean inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. Phaseoli (Strain-9R). Crop Res., 31(1) : 43-51.

Shukla, M. P., Hari Shankar, Verma, K. P. and Pathak, D. K., 1983, Effect of sulphur, zinc and boron nutrition on the yield quality ragi (Brassica juncea var.Varuna). Indian J. Agric. Chem., 15(1): 195-198.

Sidhu, B. S., Chahil, B. S., Brar, M. S. and Athwal, B. S., 1980, Effect of soil and foliar application of zinc on yield and quality of peach. Haryana J. Hort. Sci., 9: 47-49.

Silva, N. M. D. A., Carvalo, L. H., Chiavagaio, E. T., Sabino, N. P. and Hiroce, R.,1982, Effect of rate of boron application at sowing time on cotton plants in different soils. Bragantia, 41 : 181-191.

Singaravel, R., Imayavaramban, Y., Dhanunathan and Shanmugahapriya, N., 2001, Response of sesamum (Sesamum indicum L.) to manganese and zinc nutrition. J. Oil Seed Res., 18(1): 136-138

Singh, and Singh, 1994, Effect of boron and manganese on yield quality and their uptake by cauliflower. Progressive Hort., 26: 203-208.

Singh, K., Hansraj, Singh, K. and Raj, H., 2001, Effect of micronutrients application on the yield of cluster bean in a typic Torrijosamment. Leg. Res., 24(1) : 67-78.

Singh, S. K., Saxena, H. K. and Das, T. K., 1998, The effect of kind of micronutrients and their method of application on mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) under Zaid condition. Ann. of Agric. Res., 19(4) : 454-457.

Singh, S. S. and Verma, S. K., 1991, Influence of potassium, zinc and boron on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Veg. Sci., 18: 122-129.

Singh, U. and Yadav, D. S., 1997, Studies on sulphur and zinc nutrition on green gram in relation to growth attributes seed protein yield and S, Zn uptake. Legume Res., 20:224-226.

Sinha, N. C., 1986, Physiological effect of foliar applied Boron on seed yield of Lucerne. In Annual Research Report, DIV of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Punjab. Singh (Ed.), IGFRI Jhansi.

Sinha, P., Chatterjee, C. and Sharma, C. P., 1999, Changes in physiology and quality of pea by boron stress. Annals of Agril. Res., 20(3) : 304-307.

Sohal, R. S., 1987, The free radical theory of ageing : a critique. Rev. Biol. Res. Ageing, 3: 431-499.

Sudarsan, S. and Ramaswami, P. P., 1993, Micronutrient nutrition in groundnut-blackgram cropping system. Fertilizer News, 38(2) : 51-57.

Sundararajan, N., Nagaraju, S., Venkatraman, S. and Jaganath, M. H., 1972, Design and analysis of field experiments, Univ. of Agric. Sci., Hebbal, Bengalore.

Tamak, J. C., Sharma, H. C. and Singh, K. P., 1997, Effect of phosphorus, sulphur and boron on seed yield and quality of sunflower. Indian J. Agron., 42(1): 175-176.

Tejeswara Rao, K and Subbaiah, G., 2003, Foliar application of micronutrients on growth and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica Juncea (L.) Ezernj cosson). Andhra Agric. J., 50(3&4): 255-257.

Tiwari, R. and Yadava, R.B.R., 1990, Effects of GA and Boron on growth, flowering and yield of Siratro. Indian. J. Pl. Physiol., 33: 165-167.

Tripathy, S. K., Patra, A. K. and Samui, S. L., 1999, Effect of micronutrients on nodulation, growth yield and nutrient uptake by groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Indian J. Plant Physiol., 4(3) : 207-209.

Ullagaddi, M. S., 2000, Effect of dates of sowing and chemicals on seed yield and quality of Male parent SB (YF)-425 cotton (Gossypium barbadonse L.). M.Sc. (Agri.) Thesis, Uni of Agric Sci, Dharwad.

Upadhyay, R. G., 1994, Effect of bioregulators on growth, development, flowering behaviour and yield of chickpea. Legume Res., 17(1): 60-62.

Varma, C. B., Lallu and Yadav, R. S., 2004, Effect of boron and zinc application on growth and yield of pigeonpea. Indian J. Pulses Res., 17(2): 149-151.

Vedram, Misra, S. K. and Upadhyay, R. M., 2002, Effect of sulphur, zinc and biofertilizers on quality characteristics in mungbean. Indian J. of Pulses Res., 1591) : 139-141.

Verma, S. S. and Sahani, V. M., 1963, Effect of foliar application of nutrients on yield of cotton. Indian Cotton Growing Review, 17 : 247-248.

Vijaya, J. and Ponnuswamy, A. S., 1997, Effect of seed fertilization with micronutrients on seed quality in blackgram and cowpea. Madras Agric. J., 84(4) : 223-225.

Vyakaranahal, B. S., Shekhargouda, M., Patil, S. A., Prabhakar, A. S. and Giriraj, K., 2001, Effects of planting date and chemicals (TIBA and Boron) spray on seed yield, its attributes and quality of single and three way cross sunflower hybrids during different seasons. Seed Res. 29 (2): 127-135.

Wang, X., Zhang, S., Sun, J. and Zhang, T., 1995, The effect of joint application of phosphorus and zinc in increasing the yield of summer soybeans. Henan Nongye Kexule, 1 : 20-22.

Wankhade, S. T., Meshram, L. D. and Kene, H. K., 1994, Impact of foliar feeding of nutrients on hybrid seed production. Punjabrao Krishi Vidya Peeth Res. J., 18 : 127-128.

Wv, M. C. and Xiao, C. Z., 1992, The physiological effect of zinc on soybeans. Acta Agricul., 7:73-77.

Yadav, R. S., Patel, M. S. and Hadvane, G. J., 1991, Effect of FYM, phosphorus and zinc on groundnut in calcareous soil. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 39: 391-393.

Zhu Hongxun, Zhang Xiang and Sun Chunhe, 1996, Characteristics of micronutrients uptake by rape plants and methods of B and Zn application. Oil Crops of China, 18 (2) : 59-61.

Ziolek, E. and Ziolek, W., 1987, The effect of trace element application on yield and quality of soybean seeds. Agraria, 26 : 195-207.

Zubal, P., 1980, The influences of pollination on lucerne seed yield, vedecke prace vyskumneho ustava. Rastliny Vyrohyvpiest Anoch 20. pp. 83 - 98.

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON SEED YIELD, QUALITY AND STORABILITY IN

SOYBEAN [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

SHRUTHI.B.M. 2013 Dr. D. S. UPPAR Major Adviser

ABSTRACT

The field experiment was carried out to find out the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on seed yield, quality and storability in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad during kharif 2012. The experiment consisted of eight treatments viz., T0 - Control ,T1 - ZnSO4 @ 0.3%, T2 - Boron @ 0.2%, T3 - KNO3 @ 0.5%, T4 - ZnSO4 @ 0.3% + Boron @ 0.2%, T5 - ZnSO4 @ 0.3 %+ KNO3 @ 0.5%, T6 - Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3 @ 0.5%, T7 - ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3@ 0.5% and treatments were imposed at 30 and 45 DAS. It was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. Foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3@ 0.5% at 30 and 45 DAS recorded significantly higher plant height (58.70 cm), more number of leaves per plant (95.67) and leaf area index (5.08), number of pods per plant (39.67), number of seeds per pod (2.51), seed weight per plant (7.89 g), seed yield per plot (1.67 kg), 100 seed weight (14.10 g) and seed yield per hectare (2655 kg) compared to control (52.60 cm, 74.70, 3.98, 34.47, 2.14, 6.32g, 1.42 and 2281 kg, respectively).

The storage experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad from October 2012 to April 2013. The seeds obtained from foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.3%+ Boron @ 0.2%+ KNO3@ 0.5% at 30 and 45 DAS recorded higher germination percentage (92.72 %), root length (9.26 cm), shoot length (7.10 cm), seedling length, seedling vigour index (1529), seedling dry weight (41.95 mg) and oil content (18.1%) as compared to control (85.00 %, 14.4, 13 cm, 2321, 100.47 mg and 16%, respectively) at the end of six months of storage period.

Documents

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON … · 2018-12-15 · C O N T E N T S Sl. No. Chapter Particulars LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF PLATES 1 INTRODUCTION 2