Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 October 2008
A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years commencing in 1979–80 on the Indo-Gangetic alluvial soil of Pura to investigate the requirements for zinc of wheat, chickpea, mustard and Egyptian clover. Chickpea and Egyptian clover were more sensitive to zinc deficiency than wheat and mustard, respectively. Average total dry matter production by Egyptian clover and wheat was larger than mustard and chickpea. Egyptian clover and wheat required more zinc to achieve maximum dry matter production but they also recovered from the soil a larger proportion of applied zinc than chickpea and mustard. Mustard produced the most dry matter per unit of zinc absorbed.