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🌾— Zinc Sulphate plays a very important role in paddy (rice) cultivation. Let's go step by step

🌿 1. What is zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄)?

Zinc sulfate is a micronutrient fertilizer that provides zinc (Zn) to plants.
It is usually applied to:

Zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) → 21–22% Zn

Zinc sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO₄·H₂O) → 33% Zn

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🌾 2. Importance of zinc in rice cultivation

Zinc is essential for:

Formation of chlorophyll → helps in photosynthesis.

Enzyme activation → supports protein and carbohydrate synthesis.

Production of growth hormones → auxin, which specifically controls root and shoot growth.

Improving grain filling and yield quality.

Without zinc, rice plants cannot efficiently absorb or use other nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

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⚠️ 3. Symptoms of zinc deficiency in rice

Zinc deficiency is common in paddy fields, especially in clayey, waterlogged or high pH soils.
Common symptoms include:

Crushed growth (plants look small and weak).

Yellowing between leaf veins (especially in young leaves).

Brown spots or bronzing on leaves.

Poor tillering and late maturity.

Empty grain or low yield.

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🌱 4. How Zinc Sulphate Affects V (Benefits)

Application of Zinc Sulphate:

Improves root development and nutrient uptake.

Increases chlorophyll content → greener and healthier plants.

Improves grain filling, yield and grain zinc content (important for human nutrition).

Reduces susceptibility to disease and stress from water or temperature changes.

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🧪 5. Recommended application methods

There are two main ways to apply zinc sulfate:

👉 a) Soil application

Apply 25–30 kg ZnSO₄·7H₂O (or 10–12 kg ZnSO₄·H₂O) per hectare.

Mix well with the soil before transplanting.

Apply every 2–3 years if the soil is properly treated.

👉 b) Foliar spray

Mix 0.5% ZnSO₄ solution (5 g per liter of water) + lime (2.5 g per liter) to reduce leaf burn.

After 20–25 days of transplanting, spray 2–3 times at an interval of 10–15 days.

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📈 6. Factors affecting zinc intake

Zinc availability decreases when:

Soil pH is greater than 7.5 (alkaline).

The soil is high in phosphorus or high in organic matter.

Fields are constantly flooded.

Improved drainage and balanced fertilization can help with zinc availability.