Agronomic performance and zinc concentration in plant tissues of several rice fields varieties with zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄) fertilization

¹ The Study Program of Agronomy, Master’s Degree Program, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
² The Study Program of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: yudagalang@gmail.com

Abstract

An essential micronutrient for rice growth is zinc. Rice grown in flooded fields is at risk of zinc deficiency. Applying zinc fertilizer through foliar spray is an effective method to meet the zinc nutrient requirement for rice plant growth. This study aimed to determine the proper ZnSO4 fertilizer dosage to provide optimal rice growth in several rice varieties. The research was conducted at the UNS experimental Garden. The first factor was the foliar ZnSO4 fertilization dosage consisting of 5 levels: without ZnSO4 fertilizer (D0), 12 kg ha^-1 ZnSO4 fertilizer (D1), 16 kg ha^-1 ZnSO4 fertilizer (D2), 20 kg ha^-1 ZnSO4 fertilizer (D3) and 24 kg ha^-1 ZnSO4 fertilizer (D4). The second factor consisted of Ciherang (V1), Mentik Wangi (V2) and Rojolele (V3) rice varieties. Statistical analysis in this study used analysis of variance 5% and DMRT test at 5%. The results found there was no interaction in rice varieties (Ciherang, Rojolele and Mentik Wangi) with zinc fertilization doses 12, 16, 20 and 24 kg ha-1. However, this study showed significant difference at single factor of rice varieties and zinc fertilization doses and significant increase in plant height, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, number of leaves per hill, fresh biomass weight and zinc concentration in plant tissues compared to the dose 0.