Zinc Deficiency in Maize — Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

🔍 Symptoms

Interveinal chlorosis on young leaves, stunted growth, small leaves, shortened internodes. In paddy: "Khaira disease" — bronzing of leaves. In grapes: small berries, "little leaf" syndrome.

🧩 Cause

Zinc ties up in alkaline soils (pH>7.5), in waterlogged conditions, after heavy liming, or in sandy soils with low organic matter. Most common micronutrient deficiency in India.

🌿 Crop Info

Region: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, MP
Soil: Loamy, pH 5.8–7
Season: Kharif + Rabi

Correction Methods for Maize

Product	Method	Rate	Best For
Zinc EDTA 12%	Drip + Foliar	0.5g/L foliar, 250g/acre drip	pH 6–7.5
Zinc DTPA 7%	Drip + Foliar	0.5–1g/L foliar, 500g/acre drip	pH 7–8
Zinc Sulphate 33%	Soil	10–15 kg/acre	Basal application

Step-by-Step Treatment Plan

Confirm deficiency — Take leaf and soil samples. Send to lab or use visual diagnosis. Soil pH test critical (check at root zone depth).
Immediate foliar correction — Apply Zinc EDTA 12% at 0.5g/L foliar as emergency foliar spray. Spray in morning or evening. Repeat after 7–10 days.
Drip/soil correction — Apply via drip fertigation or soil for lasting correction. Single foliar application is temporary fix only.
Soil amendment — If soil pH is the cause: apply gypsum to reduce pH in alkaline soils, or lime if acidic. Target pH 6–7.
Prevent recurrence — Include micronutrient schedule in regular fertigation program. Soil test every season.

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