Response of wheat to different doses of ZnSO₄ under thal desert environment

Effect of Zn as Zinc sulphate on wheat crop cultivar 'AS-2002' was investigated through field experiments laid out at Adaptive Research Farm and Farmer's fields under arid environment of Thal desert at Karor district Layyah during Rabi 2005-06 and 2006-07. Levels of ZnSO₄ (33%) applied were 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 kg ha^-1. As evidenced by the grain yield successive increase in grain yield was witnessed with each incremental dose of Zn reaching the threshold level of ZnSO₄ at 22.5 kg ha^-1. But, for the economic gains in terms of each Rupee invested in Zinc, 7.5 kg ZnSO₄ coupled with recommended dose of NPK generated the maximum return (1:4.08) based on the mean performance at both locations and averaged over the two year studies. The Zn application at 22.5 kg ha^-1 having the mean CBR of 2.93 emerged as the next remunerative treatment in the studies. Thus, in the light of our findings it is recommended that alongwith the recommended dose of NPK at 114-84-62 kg NPK ha^-1, ZnSO₄ 33% may be applied with the first irrigation either at 7.5 or 22.5 kg ha^-1 for the highest economic returns in wheat production under the agro-ecological conditions of Thal desert. Further studies are suggested to elaborate the present findings.