Abstract
The combined application of nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers is a promising agronomic strategy for the biofortification of wheat grain with Zn for human nutrition. A glasshouse experiment was carried out to assess the effects of supplying N on the uptake, translocation and accumulation of Zn in tissues of two wheat genotypes (Quartzo and BRS Parrudo) with contrasting potential for grain Zn biofortification. Winter wheat genotypes were grown to maturity in 5 cm diameter, 100 cm length tubes filled with a mixture of sand, grit and gravel (40:40:20 v/v/v) over a layer of 0.1 m3 of gravel, and supplied a full nutrient solution with low Zn (0.15 μM) or high Zn (2.25 μM) and low N (0.4 mM) or high N (4.0 mM) concentrations. High N supply increased biomass production, Zn concentration and Zn content of straw and grain in both Quartzo and BRS Parrudo. Grain Zn content more than doubled when the supplies of Zn and N were both increased from low to high in both genotypes. Quartzo had a greater grain yield than BRS Parrudo. BRS Parrudo had greater grain Zn concentration and Zn content than Quartzo. A greater N supply promoted better uptake, translocation to the shoot and accumulation of Zn within the grain. Quartzo and BRS Parrudo differed in their partitioning of biomass and Zn between tissues. It might be possible to combine the greater grain yield of Quartzo with the greater grain Zn accumulation of BRS Parrudo to deliver a greatly improved genotype for human food security.
Highlights
Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for humans
Interactions between genotype and N supply were found for Grain yield (0.01 P < 0.05) and Total dry weight (DW) (P < 0.01) (Table 1)
Supplying plants High-N, irrespective of Zn supply, increased Straw DW and Grain yield by up to 11% and 20% for Quartzo and 16% and 36% for BRS Parrudo, respectively, but reduced the Root DW by up to 3% for Quartzo and 4% for BRS Parrudo (Table 2)
Summary
Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for humans. Zinc deficiency in humans can lead to impairment of the immune system combined with increased risk of infection, impaired physical growth and delayed learning ability [1, 2]. Effects of zinc and nitrogen supply on grain zinc concentration data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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