Zinc Sulphate
Zinc Deficiency in Soils of Different States
| State | No. of Samples analysed |
Percent samples deficient |
| Andhra Pradesh | 4,405 |
51 |
| Assam | 1,512 |
1-63 |
| Bihar | 10,779 |
45 |
| Gujarat | 21,994 |
26 |
| Haryana | 14,472 |
77 |
| Karnatak | 23,224 |
88 |
| Kerala | 633 |
33 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 6,664 |
64 |
| Orissa | 6,031 |
15-88 |
| Pondicherry | 3,675 |
8 |
| Punjab | 13,341 |
53 |
| Tamilnadu | 10000 |
37 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 13,344 |
64 |
| West Bengal | 1,941 |
9-68 |
Zinc has been recognized as an essential trace mineral for plants, animals and humans and as an enzyme constituent playing a role in the synthesis of collagen, in the metabolism of DNA and RNA and thus playing an important role in the reproduction of cells. The average adult body contains between 1.5 and 3 g of zinc with approximately 60 per cent of this in the muscles, 30 per cent in the bones and 6 per cent in the skin. The highest concentrations of zinc are in the prostate gland and sperm in men, and in red and white blood cells. The retina of the eye, liver and kidneys also have high concentrations and there is some zinc in hair.
Response of Crops to Zinc Application
| Crop | No. of Experiments |
Range of response (q/ha) |
Average response (q/ha) |
| Wheat | 2358 |
2.9-17.8 |
3.6 |
Rice |
1599 |
2.9-7.0 |
5.4 |
| Maize | 278 |
2.5-8.5 |
4.6 |
| Barley | 17 |
4.9-7.3 |
5.5 |
| Sorghum | 75 |
2.1-6.0 |
3.6 |
| Pearl Millet | 227 |
1.7-4.6 |
1.7 |
| Finger Millet | 47 |
3.1-4.2 |
3.6 |
| Chickpea | 14 |
2.3-5.6 |
3.2 |
| Ground nut | 76 |
2.1-4.7 |
3 |
Zinc acts as an essential micro nutrient for plant growth. As a result of extensive research conducted since 1960 in All India Co-ordinated Project on Micronutrients in soils and plants it has been concluded that zinc deficiencies are widespread in India. Most states now recognise the need reported where application of zinc along with NPK fertilizers becomes deciding factor for the success or failure of the crop.