Effect of micronutrients on the growth and yield parameter of spring maize in Gauradaha, Nepal

Abstract

Micronutrients, required in trace amounts, are crucial for crop growth and metabolic activities. Maize is susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies and exhibits hidden hunger symptoms when lacking essential nutrients. This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield. A single-factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with seven treatments and three replications. Results revealed that the combined application of micronutrients with the recommended dose of NPK significantly enhanced maize growth and yield parameters. The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha). Additionally, T4 (S 40 kg/ha with NPK) resulted in the highest test weight (438.33 g). Micronutrient application did not significantly affect plant height or the number of leaves. The study concludes that applying 10 kg/ha of Zn, 6 kg/ha of B, and 7 kg/ha of S with NPK significantly improves maize yield, demonstrating suitability for the local soil conditions and offering a practical approach to mitigate hidden hunger in maize.

Abstract from the paper’s OpenAlex record; open copy licensed cc-by-nc. Read at the source ↗

The text the model read, with the source record’s inline markup (italics, sub- and superscripts) rendered and its character entities decoded; quote offsets refer to the raw text.

Claims 13

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest ear length in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Organ / stage: eare1
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: ear lengthe1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 19.56 cme1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

*Zea mays* · TaxonAkwugo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest grains per row in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: grains per rowe1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 44.25e1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest kernel rows per ear in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Organ / stage: eare1
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: kernel rows per eare1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 15.72e1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest ear diameter in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Organ / stage: eare1
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: ear diametere1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 6.24 cme1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest ear weight in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Organ / stage: eare1
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: ear weighte1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 17.65 tons/hae1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest biological yield in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: biological yielde1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 34.80 tons/hae1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest grain yield in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: grain yielde1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 12.68 tons/hae1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest stover yield in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: stover yielde1
Direction: higheste1
Value: 3.39 tons/hae1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T6 (Zn 10, B 6, S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) gave the highest leaf area in spring maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPKe1
Outcome: leaf areae1
Direction: higheste1
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparatorValue

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e1
“The T6 treatment (Zn 10 kg/ha + B 6 kg/ha + S 7 kg/ha with recommended NPK) produced the highest values for key growth indicators: leaf area, ear length (19.56 cm), ear diameter (6.24 cm), kernel rows per ear (15.72), grains per row (44.25), ear weight (17.65 tons/ha), biological yield (34.80 tons/ha), grain yield (12.68 tons/ha), and stover yield (3.39 tons/ha)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 671–1035 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

T4 (S 40 kg/ha with NPK) gave the highest test weight in maize, 438.33 g.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: S 40 kg/ha with NPKe2
Outcome: test weighte2
Direction: higheste2
Value: 438.33 ge2
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e2
“Additionally, T4 (S 40 kg/ha with NPK) resulted in the highest test weight (438.33 g)”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1037–1122 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultno effectnot significant (as stated)measured

Claim · model-written summary

Micronutrient application did not significantly affect plant height or the number of leaves in maize.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: Micronutrient applicatione4
Outcome: plant height or the number of leavese4
Direction: did not significantly affecte4
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e4
“Micronutrient application did not significantly affect plant height or the number of leaves”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1124–1215 · show in text ↑

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivesignificant (as stated)measured

Claim · model-written summary

Combined micronutrients with the recommended NPK significantly enhanced maize growth and yield parameters.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse0
Treatment: combined application of micronutrients with the recommended dose of NPKe3
Outcome: maize growth and yield parameterse3
Direction: enhancede3
Setting: Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapae0

Not reportedComparator

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e0
“This study, conducted at Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Jhapa, from January to June 2023, aimed to assess the impact of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) on maize growth and yield.”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 218–400 · show in text ↑

e3
“Results revealed that the combined application of micronutrients with the recommended dose of NPK significantly enhanced maize growth and yield parameters”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 515–669 · show in text ↑

Recommendationauthor interpretationoriginal resultpositivebasis n/a

Claim · model-written summary

Applying 10 kg/ha of Zn, 6 kg/ha of B and 7 kg/ha of S with NPK is recommended to improve maize yield on local soils.

Taxon: maizeZea mayse5
Outcome: maize yielde5

Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.

Verbatim

e5
“applying 10 kg/ha of Zn, 6 kg/ha of B, and 7 kg/ha of S with NPK significantly improves maize yield”
✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1242–1341 · show in text ↑

zinc atom · growth · Zea mays (maize)Results differ

224 papers: 183 positive, 41 negative or no effect

182 papers in the same direction as this paper · 41 in the opposite direction

no effect
Zinc deficiency did not affect the pool size of plastoquinone molecules in maize leaves.
Photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and lipid peroxidation of maize leaves as affected by zinc deficiency · 2005
Opposite directionAbout lacking this nutrient, so it counts the other way round
no effect
Increasing zinc dose did not further increase maize dry matter.
Mobility and Availability to Plants of Two Zinc Sources Applied to a Calcareous Soil · 2003
Opposite direction
negative
Zinc fertilization decreased total maize dry matter mass.
Effect of P and Zn fertilization on biomass yield and its uptake by maize lines (Zea mays L.) · 2003 · compared with control
Opposite direction

220 papers more in this group

See all 224 papers →

zinc atom · yield · Zea mays (maize)Results differ

441 papers: 391 positive, 50 negative or no effect

390 papers in the same direction as this paper · 47 in the opposite direction · 3 reporting no difference from an alternative

positive
Under full irrigation, combined silicon and zinc gave the highest grains per ear, kernel weight and ear size among foliar treatments.
Revitalizing maize growth and yield in water-limited environments through silicon and zinc foliar applications · 2024 · compared with other foliar treatments
Same directionCited by this paper
positive
Ear length and diameter increased by up to 20% with Zn application
Effects of zinc on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays l.) cultivated in a tropical acid soil using different application techniques · 2021 · compared with no fertiliser applied as control
Same directionCited by this paper
negative
Adding Zn to the intermediate Fe level accentuated Fe deficiency and depressed corn yield.
Nutrient Balance Involving Phosphorus, Iron, and Zinc · 1965 · compared with intermediate Fe level
Opposite direction

437 papers more in this group

See all 441 papers →

micronutrient · yield · Zea mays (maize)Results differ

80 papers: 73 positive, 7 negative or no effect

72 papers in the same direction as this paper · 6 in the opposite direction · 1 reporting no difference from an alternative

no effect
Lime and micronutrients did not alleviate the affected yield.
Tillage and Fertilization of Corn Grown on Lespedeza Sod¹ · 1973
Opposite direction
no effect
Secondary and micronutrients did not further enhance grain yield.
Effect of Nutrient Omission on Grain Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Kersa District, Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia · 2021
Opposite direction
no effect
Supplying micronutrients with the phosphorus source did not affect maize yield.
Effect of coating phosphorus with humic acids and micronutrients on yield of soybean and maize in succession · 2024
Opposite direction

76 papers more in this group

See all 80 papers →

micronutrient · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

23 papers: 20 positive, 3 negative or no effect

2 papers in the same direction as this paper · 20 in the opposite direction

positive
Secondary and micronutrient inclusion increased maize growth significantly.
Secondary and micronutrient inclusion in fertilizer formulation impact on maize growth and yield across northern Ghana · 2019
Opposite direction
positive
Micronutrient spray significantly increased dry matter per plant and green biomass per hectare over control.
Effect of planting geometry, nitrogen levels and micronutrients on the growth and yield of sweet corn. · 2009 · compared with control
Opposite direction
positive
Micronutrient seed coating increased maize seed emergence rate across three soil types.
Seed coating with micronutrients improves germination, growth, yield and microelement nutrients of maize (Zea mays L.) · 2023 · compared with untreated controls
Opposite direction

19 papers more in this group

See all 23 papers →

fertilization · quality: grain · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

106 papers: 89 positive, 17 negative or no effect

88 papers in the same direction as this paper · 17 in the opposite direction

no effect
Sulfur fertilization did not affect nitrogen, magnesium, calcium or fiber components in silage.
Effect of Sulfur Fertilization on Chemical Composition, Ensiling Characteristics and Utilization of Corn Silage by Lambs · 1986
Opposite direction
no effect
Fertilizer program did not significantly influence dry matter yield, fiber, energy or other mineral nutrients.
Plant density, distribution, and fertilizer effects on yield and quality of irrigated corn silage · 1985
Opposite direction
no effect
Increasing fertilizer rate had little effect on crude fiber, ether extract or energy of corn silage.
Composition and Digestibility of Corn Silage as Affected by Fertilizer Rate and Plant Population · 1963
Opposite direction

102 papers more in this group

See all 106 papers →

fertilization · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

1,365 papers: 1,196 positive, 169 negative or no effect

1,195 papers in the same direction as this paper · 149 in the opposite direction · 20 reporting no difference from an alternative

positive
The combined treatment produced plant height of 234.45 cm.
Effect of Poultry Manure, Vermicompost and Boron on Growth and Yield of Maize · 2023
Same directionCited by this paper
no effect
Foliar fertilization did not improve maize growth under short-term drought or salt stress.
Effect of foliar fertilization application on the growth and mineral nutrient content of maize seedlings under drought and salinity · 2008
Opposite direction
no effect
Starter fertilizer did not increase corn height.
Corn Yield is Equal in Conventional, Reduced, and No Tillage after 20 Years · 1996
Opposite direction

1,361 papers more in this group

See all 1,365 papers →

fertilization · yield · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

3,908 papers: 3,485 positive, 423 negative or no effect

3,484 papers in the same direction as this paper · 338 in the opposite direction · 85 reporting no difference from an alternative

no effect
Different NPSB levels gave no significant difference in maize plant height and biomass yield.
Determination of Rates of NPSB Blended Fertilizer for Better Production of Maize in Debub Ari District, Southern Ethiopia · 2021
Opposite directionCited by this paper
positive
Fertilization raised grain weight.
Effects of Sulfur Application on the Quality of Fresh Waxy Maize · 2024 · compared with no fertilization
Same directionCited by this paper
positive
The combined treatment produced Number of Seeds per cob of 302.67.
Effect of Poultry Manure, Vermicompost and Boron on Growth and Yield of Maize · 2023
Same directionCited by this paper

3,904 papers more in this group

See all 3,908 papers →

Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.

Abstract

Claims 13

The same questions in other papers

zinc atom · growth · Zea mays (maize)Results differ

zinc atom · yield · Zea mays (maize)Results differ

micronutrient · yield · Zea mays (maize)Results differ

micronutrient · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

fertilization · quality: grain · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

fertilization · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

fertilization · yield · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results