Production and physiological quality of Pennisetum glaucum after zinc (Zn) application

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dry biomass production and the physiological quality of millet (Pennisetum glaucum) based on the application of zinc (Zn) on the soil. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design consisting of five Zn doses: 0; 3; 6; 9 and 12 kg ha-1, with four replications. The following biometrics such as physiological quality, biomass production and nutritional efficiency as for the use of Zn by plants were evaluated. The results showed that doses around 9 kg ha-1 are the ones promoting the highest observed rates. However, higher Zn supply in the soil negatively affected the physiological quality of the crop, as for the evaluated variables, except for the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. However, Pennisetum glaucum is responsive to the production of dry biomass up to the Zn dose of 9 kg ha-1, without reducing the efficiency of the nutrient utilization by the crop.