Agronomic zinc biofortification of wheat to improve accumulation, bioavailability, productivity and use efficiency

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency causes low crop production and malnutrition in human. Agronomicbiofortification of food crops can resolve the issues of global food security and humannutrition on sustainable basis. Field experiments were conducted to improve Znbioavailability, growth and yield of wheat in response to varying Zn application rates fortwo consecutive years (2016-17 & 2017-18). Significant increase in grain yield wasrecorded with the application of Zn. Highest grain yield (5.41 t $ha^{-1}$) was recorded with theapplication of 5.00 kg Zn $ha^{-1}$. Human available Zn fraction was also improved in response toZn application. Zn application resulted in lowering phytate/Zn molar ration in wheat grains.Higher Zn accumulation (338.72 g ha-1) was observed by applying 7.5 kg Zn $ha^{-1}$. Zincapplication was found critical to meet internal (36.53 µg $g^{-1}$) and external (4.48 kg Zn$ha^{-1}$)Zn requirements to achieve near maximum yield of wheat. The results reinforced theconcept of Zn fertilization to achieve better productivity and quality.