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PDF - Maize Fact Sheet August 2013

Maize

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Danail Danailov Danailov
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14 views3 pages

PDF - Maize Fact Sheet August 2013

Maize

Uploaded by

Danail Danailov Danailov
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Zinc Fact Sheet:

MAIZE
Introduction
Among all cereal species, maize is a superior cereal crop regarding the total production globally and grain yield
capacity per given area. Over 150 million hectares of land are currently used for maize production. Maize is
the most important cereal feed for livestock and is a critical staple food for several hundred million people living
in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Maize represents the main source of calories and minerals for many rural
populations in a number of developing countries. Maize is, however, very poor in concentrations of protein and
micronutrients, especially zinc. Therefore, in countries where maize consumption is very high, the incidence
of micronutrient malnutrition is also very high, particularly zinc deficiency. The enrichment of maize with high
levels of zinc is a growing global challenge in order to contribute to the well-being of human populations who
rely on maize for their nourishment. Although maize has a huge grain yield capacity on a given area, its yield
can be significantly affected by adverse soil and climatic conditions, such as drought stress and mineral nutrient
deficiencies. Like durum wheat and rice, maize is also highly susceptible to soil zinc deficiency (Figure 1).

Maize:
Figure 1: Growth
of maize plants
with Zn (50 kg
ZnSO4.7H2O per
• Over 150 million ha) and without
hectares of land Zn. Research farm
of Bahri Dagdas
are currently used International
for production Agricultural
Institute in Konya,
Central Anatolia
• More than 100
countries produce
maize

• Critical staple food Deficiency Symptoms and Leaf Concentrations of Zinc


in Asia, Africa, and
The most common symptoms of zinc deficiency in maize include the
Latin America development of whitish or yellowish stripes parallel to the midrib on
the young leaves and stunting appearances with shortened internodes.
• highly Necrotic spots and reddish color may develop on leaves at the advanced
susceptible to soil stage of zinc deficiency (Figure 2). The zinc-deficient leaves presented in
zinc deficiency Figure 2 contain eight to 10 ppm zinc in dry weight. In most cases, leaf
zinc concentrations below 15 ppm are classified as zinc-deficient.
Figure 2: Develop-
ment of symptoms
of zinc deficiency
in young leaves
on a maize plant,
including necrotic
spots, reddish
discoloration, and
chlorotic striping.

Maize yield might also be reduced due to zinc deficiency without occurrence of the described zinc deficiency
symptoms. In maize plants, like many crops, hidden zinc deficiency has been well documented. In some cases,
this hidden zinc deficiency results in reductions in yield of up to 40% without the appearance of distinct leaf
symptoms. It is, therefore, important to include zinc in the commonly applied NPK fertilizers in order to ensure
that maize will not have zinc deficiency stress. It is also important to monitor and measure regularly the nutritional
status of plants and soils with zinc.

Soil Tests
Determination of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable zinc is the most widely used method
for measuring the zinc status of soils. In the extensive calibration tests conducted in diverse soils in the U.S.
and India by using maize crops, it was found that DTPA-Zn concentration in soils correlated very well with the
root uptake of zinc. Most commonly reported critical concentrations for the DTPA-Zn range between 0.5 to 0.7
ppm. Maize plants growing on soils containing less than 0.5 ppm DTPA-extractable zinc often respond to zinc
fertilization and show increases in grain yield. In Central Anatolia (Turkey), where the soils have very severe zinc
deficiency (DTPA-Zn: 0.1 ppm), it is impossible to have a proper plant growth and grain yield without soil zinc
application (see Figure 1).

Correction of Zinc Deficiency


Zinc sulphate and zinc oxide are the most commonly applied
zinc fertilizers. There are several reports in literature
showing that grain yield of maize can be increased up to
50% by applying 10 kg zinc per hectare either in form of
ZnSO4 or ZnO. As indicated above, balanced fertilization
programs must include zinc because various field trials
conducted in many countries, especially in India and China,
showed significant yield increases when zinc was included
as part of a balanced fertility program. Due to extensive
depletion of plant-available zinc in soils by cultivating high-
yielding maize hybrids, application of zinc fertilizers or
using zinc-fortified NPK fertilizers is an important practice
for maize growers to maintain high yields and profitability.

Phosphorus-induced zinc deficiency has been extensively


reported in literature. It is important to take account of
zinc fertilization in the fertilizer programs when phosphorus fertilizers are applied regularly and at high amounts.
High rates of phosphorus fertilization may significantly depress mycorrhizal activity of roots. (Mycorrhizae is a
root-associated fungus that significantly contributes to root zinc uptake from soils.)

Effects of Zinc on Corn Production in China


IZA’s Zinc Nutrient Initiative sponsored a total of 64
field trials were conducted at farm fields in China
in 2011 and 2012. In most fields, soil test zinc levels
were from 0.3 to 1.3 mg Zn/kg (DTPA extractable
zinc). Results showed that application of 15 kg
and 30 kg ZnSO4.H2O/ha increased corn yields by
6.3% and 8.5%, respectively, which brought high
economic returns (value increased:Zn cost ratio)
to farmers with the average 10.5 for 10 kg ZnSO4.
H2O/ha and 7.5 for 20 kg ZnSO4.H2O/ha. Zinc fer-
tilizer increased corn yield by an average of 7.8% for soil application and 5.7% for foliar
spray. Zinc application by soil plus foliar spray and fertigation at 15 kg ZnSO4.H2O/ha rate
increased corn yield by 8.5 and 10.9%. Zinc fertilizer increased Zn concentration in corn
grain by average of 20% and 35% for 15 and 30 kg ZnSO4.H2O/ha, respectively. Foliar
application, especially soil plus foliar application had better effects in improving grain Zn
concentrations. Zinc application also helped increasing corn grain nitrogen content by
3-6 kg/ha, improving nitrogen efficiency by 1.7 to 3.4%.

Conclusion
Generally, soil zinc applications are more effective in increasing grain yield than the foliar application. However,
foliar application of zinc fertilizers could be very helpful in improving grain zinc concentration and thus contributing
to human nutrition. Heavy and continuous consumption of maize-based diets is generally associated with zinc
deficiency in human populations. Therefore, soil and/or foliar applications of zinc fertilizers should be considered
not only for increasing yield but also for improving nutritional value of grain for human populations.

The Zinc Nutrient Initiative was launched by The International Zinc Association (IZA) in response to the
critical issue of zinc deficiency in soils, crops and humans. To learn more, visit: www.zinc.org/crops.

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