Grain mineral concentration of Chinese winter wheat varieties released between 1970 and 2005 under diverse nutrient inputs

Abstract

Wheat yields have significantly increased through breeding, but the trends of grain mineral concentrations following the breeding progress are inconsistent. In this study, we established a factorial trial combining 9 nutrient regimes with three (2013–14) and five (2014–15) varieties released from 1970 to 2005 to evaluate changes in grain zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) concentrations of Chinese winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The ranges of grain Zn, Fe and Se concentrations were 16.3–49.8 mg kg−1 with a mean of 26.5 mg kg−1, 16.1–39.2 mg kg−1 with a mean of 28.3 mg kg−1, and 0.022–0.078 mg kg−1 with a mean of 0.044 mg kg−1, respectively. Fertilizer inputs significantly decreased grain Zn concentration, generally lowered grain Fe concentration, and had no significant effect on grain Se concentration compared with no fertilizer input. Grain Zn was significantly and negatively correlated with grain yield, soil available Zn concentration, and the ratio of soil available phosphorus to available Zn (P/Zn), but significantly and positively correlated with grain nitrogen (N), Fe, and Se concentrations. The breeding progress had no significant effect on grain Zn, Fe and Se concentrations. In the future, it is necessary to apply for specific fertilizers and breeding new variety for increasing grain mineral concentration to meet the needs of human health.