Open AccessMicronutrient Biofortification with Fe, Zn and Cu for Enhanced Growth, Increased Yield and High Profitability of Purple Yam
Author(s) -
Anabella B. Tulin,
Ea Kristine Clarisse Tulin
Publication year - 2019
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0119-4909
DOI - 10.47773/shj.1998.121.3
Subject(s) - micronutrient , biofortification , yield (engineering) , zoology , chemistry , zinc , nutrient , biology , materials science , metallurgy , organic chemistry
The importance of micronutrient biofortification in improving the growth and yield of crops is needed nowadays due to the rapid decline in crop yield caused by soil infertility and the prevalence of malnutrition among young children. Micronutrients (Fe, Zn, and Cu) were added to NPK fertilizers to investigate their effects on the growth and yield of purple yam tubers and assess the profitability of their addition on yam production. The different treatments used in the study were: T1 control; T = 150-50-150 kg/ha (N-P O - K O); T = T + 8 kg/ha Zn; T = T + 8 kg/ha Fe; = 2 2 5 2 3 2 4 2 and T = T + 8 kg/ha Cu. The results showed that the addition of micronutrients such 5 2 as Fe, Zn, and Cu to NPK fertilizers statistically increased the growth and yield of purple yam. The addition of 8 kg/ha Fe and Cu to 150-50-150 kg/ha N-P O -K O 2 5 2 increased the size of tubers and the intensity of purple coloration. These treatments likewise produced high yields equivalent to 29.39 to 29.83 tons/ha. This was about 129 to 133 percent higher than the control group which yielded only 12.80 tons/ha. Moreover, treatment T which is a combination of 150-50-150 kg/ha N-P O -K O + 8 5 2 5 2 kg/ha Fe, has produced the highest net income of PhP1,420,704.00/ha. This was 155% higher than the net income obtained by the control group that only amounted to PhP 557,790.00.