Table 2.

Details of experimental treatments applied.

(A) Main plot (Green manuring)	Treatment Description
Control (G1)	No green manuring i.e., the field was kept fallow
Sesbania (Sesbania aculeata) (G2)	It was incorporated into the soil at 45 days after sowing (DAS)
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) (G3)	It was incorporated into the soil at 45 DAS
(B) Sub–plot (Zn fertilizer sources)
0 kg N + 5 kg Zn ha–1through bulk ZnO as soil application (control for N) [ZnF1]	5 kg Zn ha–1as bulk ZnO
N through prilled urea + no Zn (control for Zn) [ZnF2]	N at 120 kg N ha–1as prilled urea
N through prilled urea + 5 kg Zn ha–1 through bulk ZnO as soil application [ZnF3]	N at 120 kg N ha–1as prilled urea + 5 kg Zn ha–1as bulk ZnO
1% bulk ZnO–coated urea (1% BZnCU) [ZnF4]	N at 120 kg N ha–1as prilled urea + 2.08 kg Zn ha–1as bulk ZnO
0.1% nano ZnO–coated urea (0.1% NZnCU) [ZnF5]	N at 120 kg N ha–1as prilled urea + 0.208 kg Zn ha–1as nano ZnO
0.2% nano ZnO–coated urea (0.2% NZnCU) [ZnF6]	N at 120 kg N ha–1 as prilled urea + 0.416 kg Zn ha–1as nano ZnO