Mineral contents of Sri Lankan rice varieties as affected by inorganic fertilization

H M A J Herath,U Pulenthiraj,G A P Chandrasekara,C M N R Chandrasekara,D G N G Wijesinghe

doi:10.4038/tar.v30i3.8322

H M A J Herath, U Pulenthiraj + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v30i3.8322

Copy DOI

Abstract

Application of inorganic fertilizers may incorporate minerals into rice grains. Distribution of minerals in rice grains vary in bran and kernel. The aim of the present study was to compare mineral contents (MCs) of bran and kernels of selected newly improved rice varieties in Sri Lanka with and without fertilizers. Twenty rice varieties were tested. Rice bran and rice kernels were analyzed for Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Calcium contents of brans and kernels ranged from 952 to 1605 mg/kg and 613 to 1107 mg/kg dry matter in fertilized varieties, respectively. High MCs were observed in fertilizer applied varieties. Higher MCs were found in the bran of rice grains. The MCs of rice grains were significantly different among the varieties and affected by fertilizer application and processing. Applications of inorganic fertilizers strengthened the MCs of rice kernels and bran.

Highlights

IntroductionThere are a variety of cereals including rice, wheat, rye, oats, barley, maize, millet and sorghum
Cereals are the edible grains of Gramineae family
Applications of inorganic fertilizers strengthened the mineral contents (MCs) of rice kernels and bran

Summary

Introduction

There are a variety of cereals including rice, wheat, rye, oats, barley, maize, millet and sorghum. Rice is the staple food for more than half of the worlds’ population being the second most leading cereal next to wheat worldwide(Anjum et al, 2007). Rice grain provides 75-80% of starch, 12% water, 7% of protein, fats, B vitamins mainly thiamine, riboflavin and niacin and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, and iron (Oko et al, 2012). Minerals are essential nutrients for human growth and development. They play a vital role in the effective functioning of the human systems. One of the major reasons for the loss of essential micronutrients from rice is the high polishing rate (Abbas et al, 2011)

Objectives

Methods

Results