Abstract
One means of enriching plants with microelements is agronomic biofortification, whereby the mineral composition of plants is stimulated through appropriate fertilization. A fertilizer component which has received much attention in recent years is sulphur. Due to the significant reduction in SO2 emissions from industrial sources to the atmosphere, a progressive deficiency of this nutrient has been observed in soils in Poland and other parts of the world. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess the effect of different application rates (20 and 40 kg·ha−1) and forms (elemental and ionic) of sulphur on the content of selected micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu) and their proportions (Fe : Mn) in the grain of the Antek variety of spring barley. In a three-year single-factor field experiment setup on luvisols with low content of sulphur, the following fertilizers were tested: ammonium sulphate, potassium sulphate, and Wigor S (80% elemental sulphur and 20% bentonite). It was demonstrated that, in the fertilization of spring barley, supplementation of NPK with sulphur can be regarded as an agronobmic method of biofortification of grain with micronutrients because it beneficially affects the content of manganese, iron, zinc, and copper in the grain. An increase in the content of these micronutrients was found in the grain of plants fertilized with sulphur in comparison to plants that were not fertilized with this nutrient in each of the growing seasons. Ammonium sulphate, compared to the other fertilizers tested, had the greatest impact on the content and uptake of all micronutrients, with the exception of zinc. Marked differences in the effect of the application rates of 20 and 40 kg·S·ha−1 were observed only for fertilizers containing the ionic form of sulphur. The beneficial effect of sulphur on the biofortification of microelements in spring barley grain indicates the need to include this nutrient in cultivation of this species.
Highlights
To maintain human health and well-being, at least 22 biogenic elements must be included in the diet [1], including zinc, manganese, copper, and iron [2, 3]
Another means of enriching plants with micronutrients is agronomic biofortification, involving stimulation of the mineral composition of plants through appropriate fertilization, which may resolve the problem of deficiencies in a safer and more economical manner
E field experiment was setup in three replications according to the random block method. e area of the plot was 20 m2, and the area for harvest was 16 m2. e Antek variety of spring barley was grown, with potato as a forecrop each year. e experimental factor was the type of the mineral fertilizer containing sulphur in elemental or ionic forms: two types of fertilizer containing this nutrient in sulphate form S-SO42− and one containing its elemental form S-S0 (Wigor S–80% S and 20% bentonite)
Summary
Biofortification of Spring Barley Grain with Microelements through Sulfur Fertilization. Erefore, a study was undertaken to assess the effect of different application rates (20 and 40 kg·ha−1) and forms (elemental and ionic) of sulphur on the content of selected micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu) and their proportions (Fe : Mn) in the grain of the Antek variety of spring barley. Marked differences in the effect of the application rates of 20 and 40 kg·S·ha−1 were observed only for fertilizers containing the ionic form of sulphur. E beneficial effect of sulphur on the biofortification of microelements in spring barley grain indicates the need to include this nutrient in cultivation of this species Marked differences in the effect of the application rates of 20 and 40 kg·S·ha−1 were observed only for fertilizers containing the ionic form of sulphur. e beneficial effect of sulphur on the biofortification of microelements in spring barley grain indicates the need to include this nutrient in cultivation of this species
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