Zinc Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown on Sandy Inceptisols in Western Nigeria¹

Field experiments were conducted with IITA maize ( Zea mays L.) composite B at six locations ranging from forest to savannah in the Western State of Nigeria to assess the level of zinc response on sandy Inceptisols. Zinc, as Na 2 Zn EDTA, was applied as broadcast application at 0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 kg/ha. Zinc response in terms of growth development and grain yield was limited to the savannah where yield increases of 1,747 kg/ha of grain were obtained with application of Zn at 1 to 2 kg/ha. For optimum grain yield, 12 ppm Zn in tissue appeared minimal. Maize response to Zn application was most probable when the 0.1 N HCl soil‐extractable Zn was less than 1.0 ppm when measured at silking time.