Genetic Variability and Genotype X Environment Interactions Effect on Grain Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) Concentration in Lentils and Their Characterization under Terai Environments of Nepal

Abstract

Billions of peoples are directly affected from the micronutrient malnutrition called hidden hunger affecting one in three people. Micronutrient Iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) deficiencies affect large numbers of people worldwide. Iron (Fe) deficiency leads to maternal mortality, mental damage and lower disease resistant of children. Likely Zinc (Zn) deficiency is responsible for stunting, lower respiratory tract infections, and malaria and diarrhea disease in human beings. Nepalese lentils are in fact rich sources of proteins and micronutrients (Fe, Zn) for human health and straws as a valuable animal feed. It has ability to sequester N and C improves soil nutrient status, which in turn provides sustainable production systems. Twenty five lentil genotypes were evaluated to analyze genotype × environment interaction for iron and zinc concentration in the grains. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the accessions under study were found varied significantly (P=<0.001) for both seed Fe and Zn concentrations at all the three locations. Pooled analysis of variance over locations displayed highly significant (at P=<0.001) differences between genotypes, locations and genotype × location interaction for Zn micronutrient but insignificant genotype x location interaction was found in Fe micronutrient. Among 25 genotypes, the ranges for seed Fe concentration were 71.81ppm (ILL-2712)-154.03 ppm (PL-4) (mean 103.34 ppm) at Khajura, 79.89 ppm (ILL-3490)-128.14 ppm (PL-4) (mean 95.43 ppm) at Parwanipur, and 83.92 ppm (ILL-7979) -137.63 ppm (ILL-6819) (mean 103.11ppm) at Rampur, while the range across all the three locations was 82.53 ppm (ILL-7979) -133.49 ppm (PL-4) (mean 101.04 ppm). Likely the range for seed Zn concentration was 53.76 ppm (ILL-7723) – 70.15 ppm (ILL-4605) (mean 61.84 ppm) at Khajura, while the ranges for Parwanipur and Rampur were 54.21 ppm (ILL-7723) -91,94 ppm (ILL-4605) (mean 76.55 ppm) and 46.41 ppm (LG-12) – 59.95 ppm (ILL-4605) (mean 54.27 ppm) , respectively. The range across the three environments was 54.03 ppm (ILL-7723) – 75.34 ppm (HUL-57) (mean 64.22 ppm). Although both the micronutrients were influenced by environment, seed Fe was more sensitive to environmental fluctuations in comparison to seed Zn concentration. The G × E study revealed that it was proved that genotypes Sagun, RL-6 and LG-12 were more stable for seed Fe concentration and genotypes WBL-77, ILL-7164, RL-11 were found more stable for seed Zn concentration. In the AMMI analysis employing Gollob’s test, first two PC explained 100% of the G × E variation. PC 1 and PC 2 explained 87.19% and 12.81% of total G × E interactions for Fe concentration and likely for Zn concentration; PC1 and PC2 explained 70.11% and 29.88%, respectively. The critical perusal of biplot revealed that Parawnipur locations was found to discriminating power for Fe concentration while for Zn concentration Khajura location was found to be most discriminative. The critical analysis of pedigree vis-à-vis micronutrient concentration did not reveal any correlation. This is probably the first report on iron and zinc concentration in lentil from Nepal.