~ 435 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies 2017; 5(4): 435-438 P-ISSN: 2349–8528 E-ISSN: 2321–4902 IJCS 2017; 5(4): 435-438 © 2017 JEZS Received: 08-05-2017 Accepted: 09-06-2017 Devendra Dambiwal Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Rajendra Narayan Katkar Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Kalu Ram Kumawat Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India Chouthu Ram Hakla Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Junagadh Agricultural University, Gujarat, India Bhagchand Bairwa Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Kaushal Kumar Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Suraj R Lakhe Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Correspondence Devendra Dambiwa L Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Effect of soil and foliar application of zinc on sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L . ) Moench) yield, agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery efficiency Devendra Dambiwal, Rajendra Narayan Katkar, Kalu Ram Kumawat, Chouthu Ram Hakla, Bhagchand Bairwa, Kaushal Kumar and Suraj R Lakhe Abstract A field investigation was conducted during kharif season 2015-16 to study the yield of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grains, leaves, stem and root with soil and foliar application of zinc. Significantly highest grain (32.54 q ha -1 ), leaves (38.73 q ha -1 ), stem (79.20 q ha -1 ) and root (26.90 q ha -1 ) yield was recorded with soil application of 5 kg Zn ha -1 through ZnSO4 with two foliar sprays before flowering and at dough stage of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% as compared to soil application of 5 kg Zn ha -1 through ZnSO4 and control. Among the eight sorghum genotypes, the genotype CSH-35 recorded significantly highest grain yield (39.87 q ha -1 ) as compared to the PVK-809, CSV-20, AKSV-181, AKSV-161, AKSV-313, AKSV-314, AKSV-318. The highest agronomic efficiency (AE), apparent recovery efficiency (RE) of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with soil application of 5 kg Zn ha -1 and two foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% followed by soil application of 5 kg Zn ha -1 . It is inferred that increased Zn level resulted in increased yield of grain, leaves, stem and root of sorghum genotypes. Keyword: Sorghum yield, Agronomic efficiency, Apparent recovery efficiency, Zinc sulphate, Sorghum bicolor Introduction Sorghum is a tolerant to drought, well adapted to the semi-arid and arid climate condition of Africa and Asia. Sorghum is high light the importance in the human diets. It is the third most important cereal food crop in India after rice, wheat and sorghum is an important staple food for millions of poor people in. It is the staple for large tribal populations across the country. The poor and vulnerable groups in the society depend upon sorghum for their calories and micronutrient requirement. The absence of access and affordability to nutrient-rich foods and fortification of sorghum help in enhancing in nutritional security. Sorghum grain contains 10- 12% protein, 70% carbohydrates, 3% fats, vitamins, mineral and salts which are essential for vigorous growth. Zinc is essential for several enzymes system that regulates vital metabolic reaction in the plant body. It is the constituent of carbonic anhydrides and is also essential for auxin production. It is also required for synthesis of tryptophan which is precursor of IAA. It is helpful in reproduction of certain plants and required for normal plant growth. Sorghum is an exhaustive crop and its requirement for nutrients especially for nitrogen as essential constituent of chlorophyll, protoplasm and enzymes. It is important factor for boosting up the yield of cereals and it is very important for vegetative growth and yield. Material and Methods The experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications during kharif season 2015-16 at AICRP on Micronutrient, Dr. PDKV, Akola. Eight sorghum genotypes were selected to study the Zn application on yield and uptake by sorghum in black soil. The experiment was laid in split plot design with three replication with main plot treatment sorghum genotypes and sub plot treatment zinc levels. The selected genotypes of sorghum were G1: CSH-35, G2: PVK-809, G3: CSV-20, G4: AKSV-181, G5: AKSV-161, G6: AKSV- 313, G7: AKSV-314 and G8: AKSV-318. The zinc treatments comprised of Z1- Control (No Zn application), Z2- Soil application of 5 kg Zn ha -1 through ZnSO4 at the time of sowing,