EFFECT OF REDUCED SEED AND APPLIED ZINC ON ZINC EFFICIENCY OF WHEAT GENOTYPES UNDER ZINC DEFICIENCY IN NUTRIENT SOLUTION CULTURE

Abstract

Improving zinc efficiency of cereals especially wheat under zinc deficiency is a priority area of research to determine and manipulate the plant factors that govern zinc uptake and utilization. Experiments conducted to ascertain variability and also the contribution of seed zinc (complete seed and half seed) to zinc efficiency in diverse wheat genotypes raised on zinc sufficient and deficient nutrient solution, showed wide genetic variability and general deficiency response such as, increase in root to shoot ratio and decrease in leaf chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase activity, total plant zinc concentration, and uptake. Since difference in zinc deficiency response were more distinct at the initial growth stage, seed zinc could be crucial for determining plant establishment, vigor, and yield. A few exceptional genotypes, where cutting seed zinc supply infect triggered growth, root characteristics, zinc uptake and use efficiency were identified and their zinc uptake capacity on low zinc soil was measured. The difference in zinc efficiency was attributable to phytosiderophore release capacity of the genotypes.