International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 10, Issue 5, May 2020 342 ISSN 2250-3153 This publication is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY. http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.10.05.2020.p10140 www.ijsrp.org Effect of Zn and S Interaction on Soil Properties and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L) Satish Kumar Maurya, S.K. Patel, Vibha Singh, O.P. Pandey and R.P. Singh Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science. Udai Pratap (Autonomous) College, Varanasi (U.P.) DOI: 10.29322/IJSRP.10.05.2020.p10140 http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.10.05.2020.p10140 Abstract- A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2018 on research plot of Udai Pratap (Autonomous) College, Varanasi (U.P.) adjoining the Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science. The physicochemical properties of the experimental soil were ; pH (7.65), EC (0.26 dS m -1 ); organic carbon (0.58%), available nitrogen (258.5 kg ha -1 ), available phosphorus (12.6 kg ha -1 ), available potassium (165 kg ha -1 ),available sulphur (9.4 kg ha -1 ) and available (DTPA extract) zinc (2.17 ppm). The experiment was carried out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and following six treatments: T 0 = Control (RDF ) T 1 = RDF + Zinc @ 20 kg ha - 1 ,T 2 = RDF + Sulphur @ 40 kg ha -1 , T 3 = RDF + Zinc @ 20 kg ha - 1 + Sulphur @ 60 kg ha -1 ,T 4 = RDF + Zinc @ 25 kg ha -1 + Sulphur @ 40 kg ha -1 , T 5 = RDF + Zinc @ 30 kg ha -1 + Sulphur @ 30 kg ha -1 . Application of Zn and S significantly affected the growth parameters (plant height and tillers) of rice. Plant height and number of tillers significantly increased over without Zn and S. Maximum was registered with T 4 (Zn @ 25 kg ha -1 + S @ 40 kg ha -1 ). Grain and straw yields were also significantly increased by the different treatments and highest yields were registered with T 4 .The minimum concentration of Zn and S were registered with treatment T 0 and the maximum in T 4 (Zn @ 25 kg ha -1 + S @ 40 kg ha -1 ).The application of Zn and S increased the availability of the nutrients (N, P, K, S and Zn) in the post harvest soil. It can be concluded from the present study that adequate Zn and S availability during entire cultivation period is important for good rice growth and yields. Index Terms- S, Zn, Rice, Interaction I. INTRODUCTION ulphur is an essential secondary plant nutrient play key roles in chlorophyll synthesis and oil formation. Sulphur is an important constituent of methionine, cysteine and cystine, amino acids and glutothion, biotine, thiamine linoleic acid, acetyl co-A structural constituent. Sulphur improves both yield and quality of crops. Deficiency of sulphur is increasing due to continuous use of S- free fertilizers and increasing cropping intensity with high yielding cultivars and is more conspicuous in coarse textured soils low in organic matter (Sipai et al., 2016). Micronutrients are essential for increasing crop production and enhancing animal and human health. Zinc is one of essential plant micronutrients and its importance for crop productivity is similar to that of major nutrients. Intensive agriculture coupled with the continuous use of N, P 2 O 5 , and K 2 O fertilizers have remarkably increased the production but simultaneously brought about problems related to micronutrient deficiencies, particularly that of Zn in soil. About one third of agricultural soils in the world are estimated to be low in available zinc (Zn), resulting in poor crop yields and nutritional quality of the harvested grains (Alloway 2008; Cakmak 2008). Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most common and important food crop of India in terms of both area, production and consumer preference. Rice production in India crossed the mark of 112 million tonnes achieved in 2017-18 accounting for 21.19% of global production in the year. The productivity of rice has 3742 kg per hectare in 2017-18. India has largest area (43.20 million hectare) followed by China (30.35 m ha), Indonesia (12.16), Bangladesh (12.0 m ha) and Vietnam (7.66 m ha). In respect of production India rank second (FAO STAT 2017).The responses to the application of sulphur and zinc in rice crop have been supported by many findings. There is need to ascertain and promote the uses of fertilizers required to correct the deficiency of S and Zn. Keeping in the view of the importance of rice in the Indo Gangatic plain and role of sulphur and zinc nutrient in crop physiology and ultimately in the yield, this experiment was undertaken. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2018 on research plot of Udai Pratap (Autonomous) College, Varanasi (U.P.). The soils of Varanasi formed on alluvial, deposited by river Ganga have predominance of illite, quartz and feldspars. Illite minerals are partly inherited from micas which are predominant in the sand and silt fractions. The physicochemical properties of the experimental soil were ; pH (7.65), EC (0.26 dS m -1 ); organic carbon (0.58%), available nitrogen (258.5 kg ha -1 ),available phosphorus (12.6 kg ha -1 ), available potassium (165 kg ha -1 ), available sulphur (9.4 kg ha -1 ) and available (DTPA extract) zinc (2.17 ppm). The experiment was carried out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and following six treatments: T 0 = Control (RDF ) T 1 = RDF + Zinc @ 20 kg ha -1 ,T 2 = RDF + Sulphur @ 40 kg ha -1 , T 3 = RDF + Zinc @ 20 kg ha -1 + Sulphur @ 60 kg ha -1 ,T 4 = RDF + Zinc @ 25 kg ha -1 + Sulphur @ 40 kg ha -1 , T 5 = RDF + Zinc @ 30 kg ha -1 + Sulphur @ 30 kg ha -1 . Recommended doses of S