Zinc: (Zn)
The effect of different surfactants as foliar spray did not affect the efficiency of Zinc in spinach. The Zinc result was not significant among all the treatments. Maximum Zn (0.88 µg g-1) was observed in Surf Excel 0.5 % ZnSO4, which is followed by Bonus 0.5 % ZnSO4. While lower value was recorded in control plot. Zn contents in the leaves were increased by ZnSO4 spray as it is given in the data given in table 3. However it was not significant. Surf excel has shown its supremacy here also, followed by other.
Potash: (K)
The data regarding Potash was slightly significant among various treatments. Maximum amount of Potash was observed in Control which is at par with Aerial 0.5 % ZnSo4, Bonus 0.5 % ZnSo4 and Bonus 1 % ZnSo4, while minimum was recorded in Aerial 1% ZnSo4. In potassium all the three surfactants have depressed its retention in the plant leaves. The native K was in sufficient amount (table 2). There fore various levels of Zn along with different surfactants did not show any effect on the luxnious uptake of K , rather they have decreased its uptake to the normal level in the leaves. On the basis of results obtained in this experiment, it can be inferred that the higher Potash was observed in control treatment, because the Potash was not incorporated. These findings agree with Haslett et al. (2001) who reported similar results.
Acknowledgment
Authors are thankful to Agricultural Research Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Agricultural University Peshawar KPK, Government of KPK, Pakistan for financial support for this study. Authors are thankful to the Station Director, Dr. Sabir Gul Khattak for his support and guidance.
Conclusion
It is concluded that Surf excel among all the surfactants stood first in increasing spinach yield and also Zinc efficiently retention by its leaves. All the three surfactants have depressed the retention of potash in the plant leaves but not the critical limits and hence it is recommended that higher yield of spinach was obtained with the application of ZnSO4 @1% foliar along with surf excel as surfactant. Hence it is recommended that Zn foliar spray be included surf excel whenever it is applied to the crops to get good results.
