Growth, yield and nutrients of sweet cassava fertilized with zinc

The application of zinc fertilizers in the soil has been an agronomic practice to correct Zn deficiency in plants, aiming to increase productivity and/or nutritional quality. This study evaluated how zinc sulfate fertilization affects plant growth, yield performance and nutrient accumulation in the cassava 'IAC 576-70'. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with eight replications. The treatments consisted of 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 g p1-1 ZnSO4. Results showed improvement in yield with soil fertilization with ZnSO4, with the optimal dose of 2.5 g pl-1. The uptake of nutrients in plant parts is favored with lower doses of zinc fertilizer, with maximum points ranging from 0.8 to 3.2 g pl-1 for macronutrients and 1.6 to 3.6 g pl-1 for micronutrients. The Zn content in tuberous roots increases by more than 40% with fertilization up to 2.8 g pl-1 of fertilizer, which contributes to the nutritional value of roots.

Automated summary

The application of zinc fertilizers in the soil is a common practice in agriculture to address zinc deficiency in plants, aiming to increase productivity and/or nutritional quality. This study examined the effects of zinc sulfate fertilization on plant growth, yield, and nutrient accumulation in cassava plants. The results showed that soil fertilization with ZnSO4 improved yield, with an optimal dose of 2.5 g pl-1. Nutrient uptake in plant parts was favored at lower doses of zinc fertilizer, with maximum points ranging from 0.8 to 3.2 g pl-1 for macronutrients and 1.6 to 3.6 g pl-1 for micronutrients. Furthermore, the Zn content in tuberous roots increased by more than 40% with fertilization up to 2.8 g pl-1, enhancing the nutritional value of the roots.