Beneficial role of endophytes in biofortification of Zn in wheat genotypes varying in nutrient use efficiency grown in soils sufficient and deficient in Zn

Abstract

Most of the food grains show deficiency of zinc. The study was carried out to evaluate the role of endophytes in the fortification of Zn in wheat genotypes with different nutrient use efficiency and in soils deficient and sufficient for Zn. Two zinc solubilizing endophytes (Bacillus subtilis DS-178 and Arthrobacter sp. DS-179) were used to inoculate low and high Zn accumulating genotypes in soils sufficient and deficient in Zn. The data on different root morphological parameters, yield and accumulation of Zn indicated distinct variations among genotypes; soil types and also among the endophytes inoculated, un-inoculated and chemical fertilizer treatments. In general, the amount of Zn in grains due to inoculation of endophytes was 2 folds higher as compared to un-inoculated control. The low and high Zn accumulating genotypes responded in an almost identical manner to endophyte inoculation, irrespective of the soil types. Zn solubilizing endophytes can enhance the translocation and enrichment of Zn to grains in wheat genotypes, irrespective of their different nutrient use efficiency (Zn). This approach can be integrated into the modern strategies for biofortification.