Abstract:
Sulphur and Zn are the two most Limitng nutrients for the yield and quality of Safflower in red and
lateritic Alfisols of West Bengal, India. Field experiment on safflower in a red and lateritic soil revealed
a significant increase (p<0.5) in dry matter, seed yield, oil content and protein content as a result of three
levels each of sulphur (0, 20 and 40 kg ha-1
) and zinc (0, 2.5 and 5 kg ha-1
). Results also indicated a
considerable increase in uptake of primary elements like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium besides
sulphur and zinc due to application of combined doses of zinc and sulphur. Application of Zn @ 2.5 kg
ha-1
along with S @ 40kg ha-1
resulted maximum dry matter yield (9640 kg ha-1
) as well as oil content,
significantly higher (p<0.5) over no application of Zn and S. Thus application of proper doses of zinc and
sulphur to soil is imperative to avoid the deficiencies of Zn and S and improvement of soil health, yield
and quality of safflower in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal, India.
