WD-XRF method for rapid analysis of macro and micronutrient uptake in maize grain upon foliar application of seaweed sap formulations

摘要

In the present article, a wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) method is described for rapid analysis of macro (P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and micronutrients (B, Zn, CI, Mn, Cu and Na) in maize grains upon foliar application of seaweed sap. The method is simple and fast as it involves drying, pulverising and pressing of maize grains in order to determine the elemental composition. Powdering of the grain with advanced ball mill not only offers suitable particle size and homogeneity of the sample but also rapidity as compared to the simple mill/mortar and pestle. The range of expanded uncertainty for macronutrients ranges from 0.010 to 0.180% while for micronutrient it is 0.45 to 47.44 mg/kg. The calibration and validation was done by using biological Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). True-ness of the results was examined by comparing experimentally obtained values of the elements against the certified values. The seaweed sap is tested as a plant growth stimulant as a part of multi-institutional and multi-locational trial across different states of India in different crops.