Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Results of a 2-year studyin the rainforest and savannah zones of Nigeria todetermine the responses of yield, components of yield and nutrient content of maize to soilapplied zinc showed that Zn significantly increased yield in the new and old savannah soils, whereas significant yield response was recorded only in an old field of the forest zone. Ear weight was the only yield component significantly influenced by Zn treatments in the two zones. Application of 2·5 kg Zn/ha appears adequate for successful maize production in the savannah and old forest zones in the tropics.
Soil-applied Zn significantly increased ear-leaf N and Zn, but P concentration was significantly decreased. Grain yield was positively correlated with ear-leaf Zn.