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The Zambia Agriculture Research Institute provides high quality, appropriate and cost effective services to farmers, generating and adapting crop, soil and plant protection technologies.

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Please select a station Kabwe Research Station Misamfu Regional Research Centre Mochipapa Research Station Msekera Regional Research Station Mt. Makulu Central Research Station Mutanda Research Station National Irrigation Research Station (NIRS) The Copperbelt Research Station - Mufulira

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Soil Fertility Research - Critical levels of Zinc in Intensive Agriculture

Deficiencies of zinc occur in many parts of the world on a wide range of soil types but semi-arid areas with calcareous soils, tropical regions with highly weathered soils and sandy-textured soils in several different climatic zones tend to be the most seriously affected. An experiment was set up in 1995 to evaluate maize response to zinc application in intensively managed commercial enterprise in order to establish the critical soil test zinc level and optimum zinc rate of application. The objective of the study was to determine the critical level of zinc and the optimum rate of application in intensive agriculture farming system in Zambia. The results showed that 5 kg ha^-1 of zinc sulphate ZnSO₄.7H₂O significantly increased maize grain yield over the control treatment. The optimum rate of zinc was established as 10 kg ha-1 applied as ZnSO₄.7H₂O while the critical rate was established at 5 kg ha-1. The critical soil test level of zinc was determined to be 2 mg kg-1 soil. It was recommended that in intensively managed commercial farming system where soil pH could be above neutral (7.0), 5 kg ha^-1 of zinc sulphate ZnSO₄.7H₂O is enough to increase zinc requirements for maize. However, if soil test zinc level is below the critical level 10 kg ha^-1 of ZnSO₄.7H₂O should be applied.

Mission Statement

To contribute to the improvement of the welfare of the Zambian people through the provision of technologies & services that enhances household, food, security and equitable income generating opportunities for the farming community and agricultural enterprise.

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Mt. Makulu Central Research Station
Private Bag 7
Chilanga.
Tel: +260211278130/380
Fax: +260211278130/41
Email:mtmakulu@zamnet.zm
Email:zaridirector@zari.gov.zm

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