Maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol] is the third and second most important cereal crop of India, respectively. Maize–wheat system is the third dominant cropping system of India covering 1.8 mha with 2.3% contribution in food grain production (Jat et al., 2013). Interactions between nutrients in plants occur when the supply of one nutrient affects the absorption, distribution and functions of another nutrient. Generally P and Zn interact negatively, which depends upon a number of physico-chemical properties of soil. Antagonistic P×Zn interaction has been subject of intensive research in several countries and has been thoroughly reviewed. Although some positive interactions of P and Zn are also reported (Shivay, 2013). The maximum available P and Zn content in the soil was recorded with super-optimal dose (150% NPK) and optimal dose (100% NPK) along with Zn, respectively (Verma et al., 2012). Zinc and P application has antagonistic effect on each other with respect to their concentration and absorption by wheat and maize (Verma and Minhas, 1987). The three Bacillus aryabhattai strains (MDSR7, MDSR11 and MDSR14) were consistent in enhancement of root and shoot dry weight and zinc uptake in wheat (Ramesh et al., 2014). Management of P×Zn interaction is a challenging task in the era of sustainable food and nutritional security. Use of efficient varieties and application of inorganic P and Zn fertilizer in conjunction with bio-inoculants can increase the crop yield and efficiency of added fertilizers to save precious input.

1. Phosphorus-zinc interaction and its
management in maize-wheat cropping system
Ramesh Kumar Singh
10260
Division of Agronomy
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
New Delhi – 110 012
1

2. Outline
 Introduction
 Maize-wheat system
 P and Zn status
 Significance of P and Zn in plant nutrition
 P x Zn interaction
 Management strategies
 Research findings
 Conclusion
2

3. Introduction
Maize–wheat: Third
dominant cropping
system of India covering
1.8 mha with 2.3%
contribution in national
foodgrain production
(Jat et al., 2013)
Maize and wheat is third
and second most
important cereal crop of
India, respectively
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Area (mh) production (mt) Yield (q/ha)
Maize (2011-12) DMR, 2012-13
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Area (mh) production (mt) Yield (q/ha)
Wheat (2012-13)
http://www.indiastat.com/dacnet 3

4. Phosphorus in Indian soils
 Soil sample analysed- 3,650,004
(Motsara, 2002)
 80% deficient soil sample (Tewatia,
2012)
 Category wise deficient sample
(Motsara, 2002)
Low- 42%
Medium- 38%
High- 20%
 Low- 98% of districts (Tiwari, 2001)
 Low-Maharashtra (86%), Haryana
(81%), Punjab (29%)
 Medium- Punjab (49%), Karnataka
(48%), Tamil Nadu (41%)
 High- Kerala (53%), West Bengal
(39%),Tamil Nadu (35%)
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Source: http://www.rainfedfarming.org/documents/ETD_2011_7_12_17%20india's%20soil%20crisis.pdf4

5.  High & very high available
P: most part of farm
 Low level available P:
Todapur block
 Build up of P due to
continuous application
 Use P solubilizer/mobilizer
to exploit the reserve
Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, IARI, New Delhi
Phosphorus in IARI farm
5

6. Zinc deficiency map of world soil
50% analysed soil
sample deficient in
Zn (Alloway, 2008)
Wide spread
deficiency: cereal
production areas
Average total Zn
conc. cultivated soils
is around 65 mg/kg
(Alloway, 2009)
Most deficient: Iraq,
Turkey, China,
Pakistan, India,
Korea, Syria and Italy
6
Alloway (2008) Micronutrient Deficiencies in Global Crop Production

7.  Soil samples analysed-251660
(Singh, 2001)
 49% deficient soil sample
 86% Maharashtra
 72.8% Karnataka
 20% Delhi
 8% Puducherry
 According to Rattan (1999) in
Indian soil total Zn is 55 mg/kg
and available Zn is 0.54 mg/kg
Gupta et al. (2007)
Zinc in Indian soils
7

8. Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, IARI, New Delhi
Zinc in IARI farm
 Farm adequate in
available Zn
 Marginal deficiency:
WTC , some part of
NBPGR and Todapur
farm
 High reserve of Zn
due to continuous
application
 Use of Zn solubilizer
to exploit the reserve
8

9. Role of phosphorus in plants
 Energy storage and transfer
 Photosynthesis
 Transformation of sugars and starches
 Increases water use efficiency- reduces water
stress
 Helps in seed formation
 Promotes early root formation and growth
 Early crop maturity
 Transfer of genetic characteristics
9

10. Plants take up P as:
HPO4
= (pH > 7.0)H2PO4
- (pH < 7.0)
equal at pH 7.2
P deficiency in maize
P deficiency in wheat
10

11. Causes of low availability of phosphorus
Causes of low
availability of P
Nature and
amount of
soil minerals
Soil pH
Ionic effects
Extent of P
saturation
Organic
matter
Temperature
Agricultural
management
11

12. Role of zinc in plants
 Diverse enzymatic activity
 Protein synthesis
 Structural and functional integrity of cell membranes
 Detoxification of reactive oxygen species(ROS)
 Carbohydrate metabolism
 Synthesis and protection of IAA
 Reduces heavy metal accumulation
12

13. Plants take up Zn as:
Zn2+
Zn deficiency in maize
Zn deficiency in wheat
13

14. Causes of low availability of zinc
Causes of
low
availability
of Zn
Soil pH
Soil with
restricted
root zones
Low zinc
content in
soil
Low
organic
matter
Water
logging/
flooding of
soils
Zinc
interaction
with other
nutrients
High P
fertilization
Cool soil
temperature
14

15. Nutrient interaction
Growth
15

16. P-Zn Antagonism
Cellular level
imbalance
Increased -ve
surface charge
on soil
High P induced
less
mycorrhizal
root infection
Slower
translocation of
Zn in plants
P-Zn
interaction in
soil
Dilution effect
P-Zn interaction hypotheses
This study first started by Barnette et al. (1936) in corn
16

17. Increased negative charge
i. Increased –ve surface charge on soil
 Due to high P fertilization (Shivay, 2013)
 Negatively charged phosphate ion attract by Al, Fe and Ca
ions (Morris et al., 1977)
17

18. ii. P-Zn interaction in soil (Ghanem
& Mikkelsen, 1988)
<5 pH hydrated Fe and Al-oxides
Calcareous soil: formation of
Zn3(PO4)2.4H2O, adsorption of Zn
to clay or CaCO3, sparingly
soluble Zn(OH)2 or ZnCO3
(Trehan and Sekhon, 1977)
Adapted from Kalendova , 1972
Solubility of Zn3(PO4)2 is depend on the pH value of
aqueous H2SO4 solution
pH Solubility (ppm)
6.7 66
6.3 89
4.7 398
4.2 797
iii. Simple dilution effect (Loneragan
et al., 1979; Neilsen and Hogue,
1986)
 P enhanced growth
BiomassincreasedduetoP
Insolubility and dilution
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0 10 20 30 40
Zn concentration
18

19. iv. Slower rate of Zn translocation
(Terman et al., 1972)
 P reduces the Zn absorption by
roots (Safaya, 1976)
 The high P increased the amount
of ethanol soluble and pectate
fractions of Zn in the root cell wall
(Youngdahl et al., 1977)
 Complexed by low-molecular
weight organic solutes (Kochian,
1991)
Translocation
19

20. v. Cellular level nutrients imbalance
(Webb and Loneragan , 1988)
P toxicity is resembles as Zn
deficiency
vi. High P fertilization inhibit
mycorrhizal growth (Singh et al.,
1986)
Reduced the Zn absorption
In wheat, reduce root colonization
with AM by 33 to 75% (Ryan et al.,
2008)
Cellular level imbalance & Reduced uptake
20

21. P-Zn interaction management
Soil pH correction
Balance fertilization
Crop rotation
Organics
Bio-fertilizers
Other agronomic management
Physiological management
21

22. 1. Soil pH correction
 Gypsum
 Lime
 Organics
2. Balance fertilization
 4R Principles
right source
at right ratio
at right time
at right place
22

23. 3. Crop rotation
 Inclusion of legumes in rotation
More efficient in absorption divalent cations
Legumes roots secretes acid phosphatase enzyme
(Yadav and Tarafdar, 2001)
4. Organics source of nutrients
Manures: FYM
Compost: Vermicompost,
NADEP
Residue recycling
Green manuring
23

24. Pseudomonas, Bacillus and
Enterobacter along with Penicillium
and Aspergillus fungi are the most
powerful P solubilizers (Whitelaw,
2000)
Root colonization with AMF can
enhance the uptake of P & Zn by plant
roots (Shenoy and Kalagudi, 2005)
Dosages:
Soil application formulation: 25-30
kg per acre
Liquid formulations: Apply 3-4 mL
per litre of water as foliar application
5. Bio-fertilizer
Solid formulation
Liquid formulation
24

25. Mechanism of PSB
Source: http://www.springerplus.com/content/download/figures/2193-1801-2-587-2.pdf
25

26.  Zn-solubilizer- Bacillus sp.
(ZSB-O-1), Pseudomonas sp.
(ZSBS-2 and ZSB-S-4)
(Saravanan et al., 2003)
Dosages:
 Soil application formulation:
Approximately 5 kg per acre
 Liquid formulation: Apply 3-4
mL per litre of water as foliar
application
Solid formulation
Liquid formulation
26

27.  Use of efficient varieties
Genotype
of Maize
Shoot
dry
wt.
(g/pot)
P conc.
In shoot
(mg/pot)
Root
length
(cm)
P uptake
in shoot
(mg/pot)
Short growth duration
Kuwari 15.23 0.11 156 13.7
Agati-76 19.45 0.12 186 19.5
Vikram 22.50 0.11 192 24.8
Normal growth duration
Pragati 25.48 0.11 234 30.6
HQPM 1 16.87 0.12 182 18.9
MRM3845 16.87 0.11 194 25.1
MRM3842 22.15 0.11 194 24.3
MRM3838 22.46 0.11 194 24.7
Parewa et al. (2010)
The P uptake efficiency of
the varieties of wheat:
PBW 343 (26.25 kg/ha)
 WH 711 (24.10 kg/ ha)
HD 2329 (23.06 kg/ha)
Hindi 62 (21.74 kg/ha)
WH 147 (19.31 kg/ha)
(Gill et al. (2004)
6. Other agronomic management
27

28. Sowing/planting method
 Bed planting and FIRBS
 Zero till sowing
 Ridge sowing
 Dibbling
Application method
Band placement
Starter or seed treatment-leads early
stimulation of crop growth is often termed
“pop-up effect”
Foliar application
Fertigation
Better Crops 83 (1), 1999
28

29. Integrated nutrient management (INM):
 Applying 0, 4, 8 and 16 t FYM /ha in conjunction of 100, 50, 25
and 0 % of zinc requirements were found optimum for soybean–
wheat, rice-wheat, maize- wheat and other cropping systems
(Singh, 2004)
Water management
Under reduced condition Zn precipitate as franklinite
(ZnFe2O4) and ZnS (Sajwan and Lindsay, 1986)
7. Physiological management
 Spray of hormone: auxin, cytokinin (kinetin)
Zn deficiency caused by the oxidative degradation of the auxin
growth hormone (Cakmak, 2000)
 Cytokinin-induced nutrient mobilization (Taiz and Zeiger, 2003)
29

30. 30

31. Effect of different planting methods on yield and P
contents of maize
Planting
methods
Grain
yield
(t/ha)
Biological
yield
(t/ha)
P content
(%) in
roots
P content
(%) in
leaves
P content
(%) in
grains
Flat
sowing
5.77 28.92 0.09 0.71 0.12
Ridge
sowing
7.01 36.05 0.13 0.91 0.23
Bed
planting
5.86 31.76 0.10 0.78 0.22
LSD
(P=0.05)
0.18 2.85 0.02 0.03 0.03
Khan et al. (2012) The J. of An. & Pl. Scs., 22(2): 309-317 31

32. Effect of balanced fertilization on yields of maize
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
100% NPK 100% NPKS 100% NPKSZn
Grain yield (t/ha) Stover yield (t/ha)
Sharma and Jain (2014) Indian Journal of Agronomy 59 (1): 26-33 32

33. Effect of methods of Zn application on yield and Zn
concentration in grains of wheat varieties
Source: www.zinccrops2011.org/presentations/2011_zinccrops2011_dhar.pdf
Shiva Dhar et al. (2011)
Treatments
Grain yield
(t/ha)
Straw yield
(t/ha)
Zn conc. in
grain
(mg/kg)
Varieties
PBW 175 4.16 7.11 43.74
HD 2687 4.31 7.50 48.32
HD 2733 3.85 6.95 43.95
LSD (P=0.05) 0.096 0.23 -
Zn application
Control 3.94 6.66 41.09
Soil applied 25 kg ZnSO4 /ha 3.99 6.85 43.78
Soil applied 50 kg ZnSO4 /ha 4.09 7.13 44.50
Foliar 2.0 kg ZnSO4/ha at boot and after anthesis
4.08 7.20 47.27
Soil applied 25 kg ZnSO4 /ha + 2 foliar spray at boot and
other after anthesis @ 2.0 kg ZnSO4/ha each 4.21 7.55 47.54
2 foliar spray at boot and after anthesis @ 0.2 % ZnSO4
each until all leaves are totally wet 4.32 7.74 47.83
LSD (P=0.05) 0.06 0.19 -
33

34. Zn, P & lime interaction effect on wheat-maize system
Wheat grain yield (t/ha)
LSD (0.05) Lime = 0.044; Zn = 0.066; P = 0.066; Lime x Zn = 0.132; Lime x P = 0.132; Zn x P = 0.198
Verma & Minhas (1987) Fertilizer Research 13:77-86
Zn (kg/ha) No lime Lime @ 5 t /ha
P (kg/ha) P (kg/ha)
0 60 120 Mean 0 60 120 Mean
0 4.06 4.24 4.51 4.27 4.50 5.52 5.75 5.26
20 4.33 4.56 4.75 4.55 4.80 5.70 5.94 5.48
40 4.37 4.58 4.51 4.49 5.21 5.96 5.93 5.70
Mean 4.25 4.46 4.59 4.84 5.73 5.87
Maize grain yield (t/ha)
LSD (0.05) Lime = 0.066; Zn = 0.110; P = 0.110; Lime × Zn = 0.220; Lime × P = 0.220; Zn x P = 0.328
Zn (kg/ha) No lime Lime @ 5 t /ha
P (kg/ha) P (kg/ha)
0 60 120 Mean 0 60 120 Mean
0 1.02 1.95 2.23 1.73 1.19 2.05 2.65 1.96
20 1.03 1.98 2.31 1.78 1.35 2.23 2.80 2.13
40 0.85 1.86 2.21 1.64 1.36 2.29 2.99 2.22
Mean 0.97 1.93 2.25 1.30 2.19 2.82
34

35. LSD (0.05) Lime = 1.40; Zn = 2.10; P = 2.10; Lime x Zn = 4.20; Lime x P = 4.20; Zn x P = 6.40
Zn (kg
/ha)
No lime Lime @ 5 t /ha
P (kg/ha) P (kg/ha)
0 60 120 Mean 0 60 120 Mean
0 41.2 32.0 26.5 33.2 36.1 30.7 22.4 29.7
20 52.5 46.1 38.4 45.6 47.5 39.8 31.3 39.5
40 62.2 56.3 49.6 56.0 55.2 48.2 41.0 48.1
Mean 52.0 44.8 38.2 46.2 39.5 31.5
LSD (0.05) Lime = 1.66; Zn = 2.50; P = 2.50; Lime x Zn = 5.00; Lime x P = 5.00; Zn x P=7.10
Zn conc. in maize grain (ppm)
Zn conc. in wheat grain (ppm)
Zn, P & lime interaction effect on wheat-maize system
Zn (kg
/ha)
No lime Lime @ 5 t /ha
P (kg/ha) P (kg/ha)
0 60 120 Mean 0 60 120 Mean
0 30.4 24.5 19.2 24.7 25.0 19.12 14.3 19.5
20 42.2 35.4 28.4 35.3 35.4 28.2 21.5 28.4
40 58.0 50.3 43.1 50.5 51.1 44.0 35.4 43.5
Mean 43.5 36.7 30.2 37.2 30.4 23.7
Verma & Minhas (1987) Fertilizer Research 13:77-86 35

36. 36
Zn (kg /ha) No lime Lime @ 5 t /ha
P (kg/ha) P levels (kg/ha)
0 60 120 Mean 0 60 120 Mean
0 0.39 0.41 0.43 0.41 0.42 0.44 0.46 0.44
20 0.37 0.40 0.41 0.39 0.40 0.42 0.45 0.42
40 0.35 0.36 0.37 0.36 0.38 0.40 0.41 0.39
Mean 0.37 0.39 0.40 0.40 0.42 0.44
Zn (kg /ha) No lime Lime @ 5 t /ha
P (kg/ha) P levels (kg/ha)
0 60 120 Mean 0 60 120 Mean
0 0.44 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.46 0.49 0.53 0.49
20 0.42 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.46 0.49 0.46
40 0.39 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.41 0.41 0.42 0.41
Mean 0.41 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.45 0.48
LSD (0.05) Lime = 0.012; Zn = 0,018; P = 0,018; Limex Zn = 0,036; Lime x P = 0.036; Zn x P = 0,054
P conc. in wheat grain (ppm)
P conc. in maize grain (ppm)
Zn, P & lime interaction effect on wheat-maize system
LSD (0.05) Lime = 0.010; Zn = 0.015; P = 0,015; Lime × Zn = 0.030; Lime × P = 0.030; Zn x P = 0.045
Verma & Minhas (1987) Fertilizer Research 13:77-86

37. Effect of application methods P on P uptake, PUE, AEP
and grain yield of wheat
Fertilizer
application
P rate
(kg/ha)
Time
Grain
yield
(kg/ha)
P uptake
(kg/ha)
PUE
(%)
AEP
(kg/ha)
Source
Control - - 3966d 13.88c - -
DAP 44
1st
irrigation
4882ab
19.78a 13.41 20.82
DAP 44 Basal 4516bc 17.05b 7.20 12.50
DAP 33
1st
irrigation
4443c 17.38b 10.60 14.45
SSP 44
1st
irrigation
5249a
19.70a 13.23 29.15
SSP 44 Basal 4665bc 19.00ab 11.64 15.88
SSP 33
1st
irrigation
4854abc 18.99ab
15.48 26.91
Iqbal et al. (2003) Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. 25(6) : 697-702 37

38. Plant part Yield (t/ha)
P extraction
(kg/ha)
Zn extraction
(g/ha)
Traditional cultivars
Grain yield 1.0 25 23
Stover 1.5 15 40
Total 2.5 40 63
Improved cultivars
Grain yield 4.0 63 93
Stover 4.0 37 108
Total 8.0 100 201
Hybrids
Grain yield 7.0 128 163
Stover 7.0 72 189
Total 14.0 200 352
Comparison of different type of cultivars of maize
Jat et al. (2013) Indian J. Fert. 9(4): 80-94
Shift in cultivars
development took
place
The nutrient removal
increased 5 times with
hybrid compared to
local varieties
Residue recycling may
infuse 72 kg P and 189
g Zn/ha
38

39. Effects of different long-term fertilizer treatments on available P and
DTPA extractable Zn in soil under maize-wheat system (1972-2008)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
240
Available P (kg/ha) DTPA extractable Zn (mg/kg)
AvailableP(kg/ha)
DTPAextractableZn(mg/kg)
Verma et al. (2012) Plant Soil Environ. 58(12): 529–533 39

40. 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12
Maize yield (t/ha) Wheat yield (t/ha)
T0: Control T7: N @ 120 kg/ha + PSB
T1: N @120 kg/ha T8: N @ 120 kg/ha + VAM
T2: N @ 120 kg/ha, SSP @ 60 kg/ha T9: N @ 120 kg/ha, SSP @ 30 kg P2O5/ha + PSB
T3: SSP @ 60 kg P2O5/ha T10: N @ 120 kg/ha, SSP @ 30 kg P2O5/ha + VAM
T4: RP @ 60 kg P2O5/ha T11: N @ 120 kg/ha, RP @ 30 kg P2O5/ha + PSB
T5: PSB T12: N @ 120 kg/ha,RP @ 30 kg P2O5/ha + VAM
T6:VAM
Grain yield of maize and wheat as influenced by
inorganic and bio-fertilizers in sequence
Singhal et al. (2012) Indian J. Agric. Res. 46(2) :167-172 40

41. Growth response of wheat (panicle initiation stage) on
inoculation with Bacillus aryabhattai strains
Strains
Shoot dry
weight
(g/plant)
Shoot Zn
content
(µg/g)
Root dry
weight
(g/plant)
Root Zn
content
(µg/g)
Un-
inoculated
control
6.4 ± 0.1d 14.0± 8d 1.0 ± 0.2d 19.5±0.7d
MDSR7 8.7 ± 0.2b 19.7 ± 0.9b 1.8 ± 0.1b 25.1 ± 1.3b
MDSR11 7.0 ± 0.1c 17.7 ± 0.5c 1.2 ± 0.1c 23.5 ± 0.9c
MDSR14 9.1 ± 0.1a 23.5± .6a 1.9 ± 0.1a 29.0±0.7a
Ramesh et al. (2014) Applied Soil Ecol. 73:87– 96 41

42. Conclusion
 Zinc and P application has antagonistic effect on each other
with respect to their concentration and absorption by wheat
and maize
 Modification of soil reaction, crop rotation and use of efficient
varieties will increase the concentration and uptake of
nutrients
 Right source of nutrients, at right ratio, at right time and at
right place is expected to increase nutrient use efficiency and
productivity of crops
 The application of inorganic P and Zn fertilizer in conjunction
with bio-inoculants can increase the crop yield and efficiency
of added fertilizers to save precious input
42

43. Thank you
43