Synergistic use of nitrogen and zinc to bio-fortify zinc in wheat grains

Abstract

Our daily diet is largely contributed by cereals, which have low genetic abilities to amass higher concentrations of micronutrients in their grains. Hence, wide spread deficiencies iron, zinc and other essential nutrients have prevailed. Present study focuses the bio-fortification of Zn in wheat grains, taking advantage of nutrient-nutrient synergy between Zn and N. Three wheat genotypes (NIA-Amber, BWQ-4 and SD-998) were tested in a field experiment following randomized complete block factorial design with three replicates. Urea fertilizer was applied at the rates of 120 (recommended), 150 and 180 kg N ha -1 in combination with three levels of Zn (0, 5 & 10 kg ha -1 ). Outcomes of the experiment revealed that NIA-Amber had the highest grain yield of 6.03 tons/ha against 150 kg N ha -1 and 10 kg Zn ha -1 . Maximum Zn contents of 447.86, 429.56 and 395.56 g ha -1 were observed in BWQ-4, SD-998 and NIA-Amber at 180 kg N ha -1 in combination with 10 kg Zn ha -1 . Maximum enhancement in protein contents was observed in BWQ-4 (743 kg ha -1 ) at 180 kg N ha -1 and combined with 5 kg Zn ha -1 .  For NIA-Amber, 180 kg N ha -1 in combination of 10 kg Zn ha -1 proved the most suitable in terms of Zn concentration and other quality attributes. Nitrogen @ 180 kg N ha -1 with 5 kg Zn ha -1 depicted appreciable zinc and protein contents in grains of BWQ-4 and SD-998.