Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A (2023)

Micronutrient deficiency is a major strain to increasing food production and a global concern for human nutrition. To help meet this challenge, a study was carried out over two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) at the University of Lome Agronomic Experiments Station with the aim to increase productivity and zinc content in maize grains. The experiment was set up in a split-plot design composed of twelve (12) treatments in three replications. Four maize varieties (V₁ = Ikenne, V₂ = Tzee, V₃ = Sotubaka and V₄ = Sammaz 52), and three zinc doses (Zn₀ = 0 kg ha^-1; Zn₄₅ = 3.75 kg ha^-1 and Zn₆₀ = 5 kg ha^-1 of ZinGap at 12% Zn) were used for this experiment. Yields and grain zinc concentration were determined. The results showed that maize grain yield and zinc concentration in maize grain were significantly influenced by varieties and zinc doses. On 2-year average basis, the highest yield (3.81±0.13 t ha^-1) were recorded under Sotubaka with the application of Zn₆₀. Globally, maize grain yield got under Zn₆₀ were 15.13 and 3.65% higher than those obtained under Zn₀ and Zn₄₅ respectively. Based on 2-year average, the highest zinc concentration was recorded in Sotubaka grains (55.62±3.78 mg kg^-1). This concentration is higher than those obtained in Ikenne, Tzee and Sammaz 52 grains by 17.02; 7.13 and 2.64% respectively. 2-year average zinc concentration obtained under Zn₆₀ (66.09±2.31 mg kg^-1) was higher than those recorded under Zn₀ and Zn₄₅ by 118.12 and 9.10% respectively. On 2-year average basis, the Zn₆₀ application to the Sotubaka (70.58±2.91 mg kg^-1) gave the highest zinc concentration. Zinc foliar application improved yield and zinc content in maize grain; but its effectiveness depends on environmental conditions.