International Conference on Biological, Civil and Environmental Engineering (BCEE-2014) March 17-18, 2014 Dubai (UAE)

Foliar Application of Zinc Sulphate Improves

Growth and Productivity of Chilies
Muhammad Azher Nawaz1*, Hafiz Mohammad Junaid Liaqat1, Muhammad Afzal1,
Waqar Ahmed2 and Fiaz Hussain1

Abstract Chilies are an important ingredient of food and are

considered as one of the largest trade spices in International market.
Micronutrients play significant role in plant growth and
development. To check the role of zinc in enhancing growth and
productivity of chili (Capsicum annuum L.), seeds of chilies variety
HP-84 (Rachna Crop Sciences (Pvt.) Ltd, Mini Stadium, SKP Road
Gujranwala) were sown at research area of University College of
Agriculture, University of Sargodha. The experiment was laid out
according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with
thirteen treatments and three replications. The data regarding
vegetative parameters (number of leaves, number of branches, plant
height, fresh weight of leaves and dry weight of leaves per plant) and
reproductive parameters (number of flowers, number of fruits, fruit
length, fruit girth, fresh weight of fruits and dry weight of fruits per
plant) was collected and statistically analyzed by using standard
statistical methods. The present study showed that all the vegetative
and reproductive parameters were increased with single, double and
thrice foliar application of zinc sulphate at the rate of 0.2%, 0.4%,
0.6% and 0.8% compared to control, but three times application of
zinc sulphate at the rate of 0.4% with and interval of 21 days
performed better than all other treatments.
Keywords Chilies, Growth, Production, Zinc Sulphate, Foliar
Application

1*

Department of Horticulture, University College of Agriculture,

University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. (+92-300-6859364; email:azher490@hotmail.com).
2
Sector Advisor (Horticulture), FIRMS Project, USAID, Lahore,
Pakistan.

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