Vegetable Production Technology

Welcome Welcome IIVR, VaranasiIIVR, Varanasi

Integrated Micronutrient Integrated Micronutrient Management in Vegetable Management in Vegetable

ProductionProduction

Dr. R. P. SharmaScientist-Soil Science

Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi-221305

Indian Soils are less fertile ?Indian Soils are less fertile ?

Micronutrient deficiency and under nutrition affect over 4 billion people worldwide.

Young children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to these deficiencies

Monotonous consumption by humans of cereal crops containing low concentrations (total and bioavailable) of iron and zinc (and vitamin A) is a major reason for the widespread deficiencies of these micronutrients in the developing world.

As these nutrients have a critical role in growth and the immune system, such deficiencies have been associated with stunting and morbidity.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Plants need Plants need small amountssmall amounts of micronutrients for of micronutrients for proper proper growth, development and disease resistancegrowth, development and disease resistance. .

Chemical fertilizersChemical fertilizers are generally used to are generally used to supply supply macronutrientsmacronutrients but don't often supply micronutrients. So but don't often supply micronutrients. So the crops face the crops face deficiencies of micronutrientsdeficiencies of micronutrients, resulting in , resulting in decreased yieldsdecreased yields. .

Use an organic fertilizerUse an organic fertilizer in combination in combination with chemical with chemical fertilizersfertilizers to help produce a healthier crop, which creates to help produce a healthier crop, which creates more yieldmore yield and will and will increase a farmer's profitincrease a farmer's profit. .

1. Micronutrients affect plant growth, health and disease resistance. Therefore micronutrient deficiencies lead to a lower crop yield.

1. How to identify micronutrient deficiencies

2. How to treat and/or prevent deficiencies.

Therefore improve crop health, increase yield and increase net profit

Basic Aspects to understand with this lecture………

N K Ca Mg P S

macronutrients micronutrientsair & water

Soil

~ 16 elements have been identified as essential for the growth of all plants

C O H Cl Fe Mn Zn B Cu Mo

Na

Co Si

V NiNeeded by

some plants

Causes of Deficiencies Causes of Deficiencies

Use of chemical fertilizers containing only macronutrientsUse of chemical fertilizers containing only macronutrients Don't replenish micronutrients through the application of FYM or Don't replenish micronutrients through the application of FYM or

fertilizers containing micronutrients.fertilizers containing micronutrients. Some crops, Specially vegetable crops need higher amount of Some crops, Specially vegetable crops need higher amount of

micronutrients. micronutrients. Problematic Soils- Acidic, alkali/sodic or saline-sodic and water Problematic Soils- Acidic, alkali/sodic or saline-sodic and water

logged soils.logged soils. Parent materialsParent materials Soil/ water management techniques.Soil/ water management techniques.

This practice, combined with the decline in micronutrient supply from This practice, combined with the decline in micronutrient supply from the soil, is causing poor soil fertility. the soil, is causing poor soil fertility.

Micronutrients include: Micronutrients include: Zinc Zinc (Zn), (Zn), Boron Boron (B), (B), Manganese Manganese (Mn), (Mn), Iron Iron (Fe), (Fe), Copper Copper (Cu), (Cu), Molybdenum Molybdenum (Mo), (Mo), Chlorine Chlorine (Cl)(Cl)

The plant nutrient balance system

Inputs Mineral fertilizersOrganic manures

Atmostpheric depositionBiological nitrogen-fixation

Sedimentation

OutputsHarvested crop partsCrop residuesLeachingGaseous lossesWater erosion

Why apply Micronutrients?Why apply Micronutrients?

Maintain/improve plant health and growth Maintain/improve plant health and growth Help plants to resist and fight diseases Help plants to resist and fight diseases Create better crop yields Create better crop yields Enhance the net profit for farmers Enhance the net profit for farmers

Micronutrient Deficiency status Micronutrient Deficiency status in Indiain India

S. No.

Micronutrient

% Deficient area

1 Zn 49

2 Fe 12

3 Mn 4

4 Cu 3

5 B 33

Waste land status of Up & Waste land status of Up & sultanpursultanpur

UP Sultanpur

TGA (Sq. km) 240928 4436

Waste Land (Sq. km)

10988.59 342.40

% to TGA 4.56 7.72

We apply only DAP and urea, and think that this is good We apply only DAP and urea, and think that this is good enough for increasing yield. We used to apply manure enough for increasing yield. We used to apply manure but not anymore because we don't have enough. but not anymore because we don't have enough.

So far no one told us about this type of fertilizer. We So far no one told us about this type of fertilizer. We never knew that small quantities of fertilizers could never knew that small quantities of fertilizers could make such a big difference. We only wish that these make such a big difference. We only wish that these fertilizers are easily made available at the right time.fertilizers are easily made available at the right time.

Opinion of farmers about Micronutrients

What are some good sources of What are some good sources of micronutrients?micronutrients?

Organic fertilizersOrganic fertilizers (FYM, compost, green (FYM, compost, green manure and green-leaf manure) are good all-manure and green-leaf manure) are good all-around sources. around sources. Other specific sources include:Other specific sources include:

Boron-Boron-Borax or boric acidBorax or boric acid Zinc-Zinc-Zinc sulphate Zinc sulphate Iron-Iron-Ferrous sulphate Ferrous sulphate Manganese-Manganese-Manganese sulphate Manganese sulphate Molybdenum-Molybdenum-Sodium molybdate, ammonium Sodium molybdate, ammonium

molybdate, ammonium paramolybdate or lime molybdate, ammonium paramolybdate or lime

What should be done when a micronutrient What should be done when a micronutrient deficiency is suspected or identified?deficiency is suspected or identified?

1.1. Applying a micronutrient to the soil over one or two Applying a micronutrient to the soil over one or two years should correct the problem.years should correct the problem.

2.2. Adding an Adding an organic waste material as a fertilizerorganic waste material as a fertilizer,, (such as manure or vermicompost) will often supply (such as manure or vermicompost) will often supply most of the necessary nutrients. most of the necessary nutrients.

Source, rates and micronutrient Source, rates and micronutrient conc. for foliar spray in vegetable conc. for foliar spray in vegetable

cropscropsMicronutrient source Availability

Wt. of source per 200 L water/ha (g) at 25-30 DAS

Wt. of source per 500 L water/ha (g) at 45 DAS

Wt. of source per 500 L water/ha (g) at 60-75 DA

Ferrous sulphate hepta hyderate, 20 % Fe

Qualigens, BDH, E-merck, Himedia

50 125 125

Manganese sulphate monohydrate, 32.5 % Mn


30 77 77

Zinc sulphate hepta hyderate, 22.74 % Zn


40 110 110

Copper sulphate penta hyderate, 25.45 % Cu


25 98 98

Boric acid, 17.48 % B


28 72 72

Sodium molybdate, 39.65 % Mo


12 32 32

Ammonium heptamolybdate tetra hyderate, 54.34 % Mo


10 23 23

Soil Properties & Nutrient AvailabilitySoil Properties & Nutrient Availability

Fe 34 %

K 63 %

P 56 %

Zn 62 %

Mn 50 %

Cu 44 %

Soil Properties

Silt, Clay, OC pH, EC & Calcium

carbonate

Nu

trie

nt

Def

icie

ncy

sym

pto

ms

Critical limits of micronutrients in Critical limits of micronutrients in soilssoils

S. No. micronutrient Conc. (ppm)

1 Zinc0.6, 0.6-1.2, >1.2

DTPA extractable

2 Copper 0.2, DTPA extractable

3 Iron 4.5, DTPA extractable

4 Manganese 2.0, DTPA extractable

5 Boron 0.5, Hot water extractable

6 Molybdenum0.2, Griggs reagent

/0.05, alkaline soils

Critical limits of micronutrients in Critical limits of micronutrients in plantsplants

CAULIFLOWER

S. No.micronutrient

(ppm)Low Sufficient High

1 Iron 25-29 30-200 >200

2 Manganese 20-24 25-250 >250

3Zinc 17-19

20-250 >250

4Copper

2-3 4-15 >15

5 Boron 25-29 30-100 >100

6Molybdenum

0.3-0.4 0.5-0.8 >0.8


CABBAGE

S. No.micronutrient


1 Iron 25-29 30-200 >200

2 Manganese 20-24 25-200 >200

3Zinc 15-19

20-200 >200

4Copper

3-4 5-15 >15

5 Boron 20-24 25-75 >75

6 Molybdenum 0.2-0.3 0.4-0.7 >0.7


BRINJAL

S. No.micronutrient


1 Iron 40-49 50-300 >300

2 Manganese 35-39 40-250 >250

3Zinc

19-19 20-250 >250

4Copper

5-7 8-60 >60

5 Boron 20-24 25-75 >75

6 Molybdenum - - -


TOMATO

S. No.micronutrient


1 Iron 30-39 40-200 >200

2 Manganese 30-39 40-250 >250

3Zinc

18-19 20-50 >50

4Copper

3-4 5-20 >20

5 Boron 20-24 25-60 >60

6 Molybdenum - - -


CUCUMBER

S. No.micronutrient


1 Iron 30-49 50-300 >300

2 Manganese 20-49 50-300 >300

3Zinc

15-24 25-100 >100

4Copper

4-6 7-20 >20

5 Boron 22-24 25-60 >60

6 Molybdenum 0.4-0.7 0.8-3.3 >3.3


BEAN

S. No.micronutrient


1 Iron 40-49 50-300 >300

2 Manganese 15-49 50-300 >300

3Zinc

18-19 20-200 >200

4Copper

4-6 7-30 >30

5 Boron 15-19 20-75 >75

6 Molybdenum - - -

BORON (B)BORON (B)

General Treatment

A liberal application of organic matter (manure etc) is the most effective way. Also, either a soil- or foliar-applied fertilizer (solution concentration: 0.25%). On acid, sandy soil, applications of 10 kg of Borax per hectare are sufficient. ** NOTE: Care should be given when applying the boron since toxicity can occur from too much boron and/or irregular distribution.

Source of Nutrient Borax, Boric Acid.

Method of Treatment Basal application or foliar spraying.

Brown rotBrown rot

Due to Due to boron boron deficiencydeficiency

Borax or Borax or sodium sodium borate @ 10 borate @ 10 Kg/haKg/ha

ZINC (Zn)ZINC (Zn)

General Treatment

Zinc applications significantly increase the Vegetables, cereals, oilseeds and pulse crop yield. A higher amount of ZnSO4 is suggested for alluvial, red and lateritic soils (25 - 50kgs). But a lower amount is suggested for swell-shrink soils (10 kg zinc/ha).

Source of Nutrient

Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4 -- normally used with calcium hydroxide to neutralise acidity), or poultry/piggery manure.

Method of Treatment

Foliar spraying, topdressing, direct application to the soil.

IRON (Fe)IRON (Fe)

General Treatment

Applications of organic manure will help. The response to foliar applications can be quick. However, several foliar applications may be required to grow the crop. Soil applications of soluble forms of iron last longer than foliar applications. However, the plant response may be slower because it has to be absorbed by the roots and translocated to the leaves. Soil applications can be oxidized to more insoluble forms, thus making iron less available to the crop.

Source ofNutrient Ferrous Sulphate (FeSO4), Ammonium sulfate

Method of Treatment Foliar spray or soil application.

MANGANESE (Mn)MANGANESE (Mn)

General Treatment

Foliage spraying is usually the best way of correcting manganese deficiency. A 0.8 per cent spray (8 grams per litre) applied at 500 L/ha supplies 4 kg of manganese sulphate/ha. A wetting agent should be added for better leaf coverage and a second or third application may be needed. The spray is most successful when plants are fairly young . Additional advice: In case of acute manganese deficiency conditions, the concentration of manganese sulphate in spray solution should be increased to 1.0% instead of 0.5%

Source of Nutrient

Manganese Sulphate (MnSO4).

Method of Treatment A soil applicant or a foliage spray.

MOLYBDENUM (Mo)MOLYBDENUM (Mo)

General Treatment

Deficiencies can be remedied by the application of 2 mt/ha of slacked lime combined with 2kg/ha of ammonium paramolybdate to the soil.

Source of Nutrient

Sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate, Ammonium paramolybdate or lime.

Method of Treatment Soil application.

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Vegetable Production Technology