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-1and 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.
Journal Section | Articles |
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Authors | |
Publication Date | October 1, 2017 |
Published in Issue | Year 2017 Volume: 6 Issue: 4 |