Agronomic zinc biofortification and its impact on mineral composition of eight okra genotypes [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] in an acid Alfisol. (10th November 2022) - Pal Butail, Nagender
Abstract: Food security, agricultural sustainability, and nutritional security are global challenges for the present and future generations. Agronomic zinc (Zn) biofortification of crops is one of the best approaches to achieve the desired goal, with Zn being the most deficient soil micronutrient globally. With an aim to study the impact of Zn fertilization on okra pod mineral composition and to screen out the Zn efficient and responsive okra genotypes among the tested ones, a field experiment was conducted with eight genotypes and three Zn levels [0, 25 kg zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO4 .7H2 O) ha −1 as basal, and 25 kg ZnSO4 .7H2 O ha −1 as basal + two foliar sprays of ZnSO4 .7H2 O @ 0.5%) in a split-plot design with three replications. A significantly higher pod and straw yields were recorded for the Ankita genotype. While highest total Zn uptake was registered for the genotypes Hissar Unnat, Ankita, and Pusa Makhmali. The results also showed that the significantly highest Zn content in okra pod was recorded in NOKH-1012 genotype compared to the rest of genotypes at different levels of Zn application. The yield efficiency index varied from 81.1 (Hissar Unnat) to 89.2 (Pusa Makhmali), whereas, the uptake efficiency index varied from 52.7 (Hissar Unnat) to 75.6 (NOKH-1012). Based on yield and uptake efficiency indices, the okra genotypes were classified as efficient and responsive [Perkins Long Green (PLG), NOKH-1012, and Kiran Hybrid], inefficient and responsive [Punjab-8 (P-8), Ankita], efficient and non-responsive, (Pusa Makhmali), and inefficient and non-responsive (Hissar Unnat and Palam Komal).