BIO FORTIFICATION WITH IRON AND ZINC IMPROVES THE GRAIN QUALITY AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF WHEAT CROP

Abstract

The nutritional and economic value of wheat is not debatable especially for developing countries just like Pakistan. The present study was planned to investigate the effect of Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) on yield attributes and nutritional value of wheat. Soil application and foliar application (two sprays of three levels 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) were adopted to evaluate the effect of Fe and Zn in district Bahwalnagar during 2018-19 and 2019-20, for this purpose Galaxy-2013 variety was used. The RCBD design with four replications was used in this study. The results revealed that the data taken after 50 days of sowing about physiological parameters (Leaf area index, Leaf area duration, Crop growth rate and Relative growth rate) showed non-significant results but the data taken after 100 days of sowing showed significant results of these physiological parameters. The treatment having two sprays of 0.3% Fe showed highest yield (4.9 t ha-1) and increased the 31% Fe contents in grains over control. In the mean while treatment having two sprays of 0.3% Zn increased the Zn concentration 43.8% in grains as compared to control. Soil application of these nutrients also showed encouraging results as compared to control but foliar sprays gave more significant results about no. of tillers, no. of spikelets per spike, no. of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight. By this way we can not only increase the wheat yield but can also overcome malnutrition that is a serious issue now a day’s especially in developing regions.