Zinc Availability Research Articles

Molecular Connectors Boosting the Performance of MoS2 Cathodes in Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising energy storage systems due to high energy density, low-cost, and abundant availability of zinc as a raw material. However, the greatest challenge in ZIBs research is lack of suitable cathode materials that can reversibly intercalate Zn2+ ions. 2D layered materials, especially MoS2-based, attract tremendous interest due to large surface area and ability to intercalate/deintercalate ions. Unfortunately, pristine MoS2 obtained by traditional protocols such as chemical exfoliation or hydrothermal/solvothermal methods exhibits limited electronic conductivity and poor chemical stability upon charge/discharge cycling. Here, a novel molecular strategy to boost the electrochemical performance of MoS2 cathode materials for aqueous ZIBs is reported. The use of dithiolated conjugated molecular pillars, that is, 4,4'-biphenyldithiols, enables to heal defects and crosslink the MoS2 nanosheets, yielding covalently bridged networks (MoS2-SH2) with improved ionic and electronic conductivity and electrochemical performance. In particular, MoS2-SH2 electrodes display high specific capacity of 271.3 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1, high energy density of 279Whkg-1, and high power density of 12.3 kW kg-1. With its outstanding rate capability (capacity of 148.1 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1) and stability (capacity of 179 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles), MoS2-SH2 electrodes outperform other MoS2-based electrodes in ZIBs.

Interaction of Zinc Mineral Nutrition and Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in Tropical Agricultural Systems: A Review.

The relationship between zinc mineral nutrition and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is pivotal in enhancing agricultural productivity, especially in tropical regions characterized by diverse climatic conditions and soil variability. This review synthesizes and critically evaluates current knowledge regarding the synergistic interaction between zinc mineral nutrition and PGPB in tropical agricultural systems. Zinc is an essential and fundamental micronutrient for various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Its deficiency affects plant growth and development, decreasing yields and nutritional quality. In tropical regions, where soil zinc availability is often limited or imbalanced, the PGPB, through different mechanisms such as Zn solubilization; siderophore production; and phytohormone synthesis, supports Zn uptake and assimilation, thereby facilitating the adverse effects of zinc deficiency in plants. This review outlines the impacts of Zn-PGPB interactions on plant growth, root architecture, and productivity in tropical agricultural systems. The positive relationship between PGPB and plants facilitates Zn uptake and improves nutrient use efficiency, overall crop performance, and agronomic biofortification. In addition, this review highlights the importance of considering indigenous PGPB strains for specific tropical agroecosystems, acknowledging their adaptability to local conditions and their potential in sustainable agricultural practices. It is concluded that Zn fertilizer and PGPBs have synergistic interactions and can offer promising avenues for sustainable agriculture, addressing nutritional deficiencies, improving crop resilience, and ensuring food security.

Zinc Starvation Induces Cell Wall Remodeling and Activates the Antioxidant Defense System in Fonsecaea pedrosoi.

The survival of pathogenic fungi in the host after invasion depends on their ability to obtain nutrients, which include the transition metal zinc. This essential micronutrient is required to maintain the structure and function of various proteins and, therefore, plays a critical role in various biological processes. The host's nutritional immunity limits the availability of zinc to pathogenic fungi mainly by the action of calprotectin, a component of neutrophil extracellular traps. Here we investigated the adaptive responses of Fonsecaea pedrosoi to zinc-limiting conditions. This black fungus is the main etiological agent of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic neglected tropical disease that affects subcutaneous tissues. Following exposure to a zinc-limited environment, F. pedrosoi induces a high-affinity zinc uptake machinery, composed of zinc transporters and the zincophore Pra1. A proteomic approach was used to define proteins regulated by zinc deprivation. Cell wall remodeling, changes in neutral lipids homeostasis, and activation of the antioxidant system were the main strategies for survival in the hostile environment. Furthermore, the downregulation of enzymes required for sulfate assimilation was evident. Together, the adaptive responses allow fungal growth and development and reveals molecules that may be related to fungal persistence in the host.

Mevalonate secretion is not mediated by a singular non-essential transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Isoprenoids are highly valued targets for microbial chemical production, allowing the creation of fragrances, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals from renewable carbon feedstocks. To increase isoprenoid production, previous efforts have manipulated pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) bypass pathway flux to increase cytosolic acetyl-coA; however, this results in mevalonate secretion and does not necessarily translate into higher isoprenoid production. Identification and disruption of the transporter mediating mevalonate secretion would allow us to determine whether increasing PDH bypass activity in the absence of secretion improves conversion of mevalonate into downstream isoprenoids. Attempted identification of the mevalonate transporter was accomplished using a pooled CRISPR library targeting all nonessential transporters and two different screening methods. Using a high throughput screen, based on growth of a mevalonate auxotrophic Escherichia coli strain, it was found that ZRT3 disruption largely abolished accumulation of extracellular mevalonate. However, disruption of ZRT3 was found to lower overall mevalonate pathway activity, rather than prevent secretion, indicating a previously unreported interaction between zinc availability and the mevalonate pathway. In a second screen, significant differences in PDR5/15 and QDR1/2 library representation were found between wild-type and mevalonate secreting Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. However, no single deletion (or selected pair of double deletions) abolishes mevalonate secretion, indicating that this process appears to be mediated through multiple redundant transporters.

Influence of Farmyard Manure Application on Potential Zinc Solubilizing Microbial Species Abundance in a Ferralsol of Western Kenya

Zinc is an important nutrient for plant growth and development. Its availability is influenced by zinc solubilizing microbes (ZSMs). The effects of commonly promoted agronomic practices on the abundance of ZSMs are so far not well understood. In this study, conducted in 2019, we assessed the effects of farmyard manure (FYM) application, either sole or in combination with residue and/or inorganic fertilizer inputs, on ZSM community structure using 11 treatments in a long-term (17 years) integrated soil fertility management experiment located in Western Kenya. Bacterial and fungal community composition were evaluated by amplicon sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. The results showed that putative ZSMs (i.e., the ZSMs generally considered to possess the zinc solubilizing capabilities) were clustered in two major clades based on either the application or no application of FYM. Sole application of FYM significantly (p < 0.05) increased the abundance of several ZSMs under a maize–Tephrosia rotation. In addition, systems with the combined application of FYM with other inputs generally showed significantly increasing trends for some ZSMs under a maize–Tephrosia rotation. Moreover, the combined application of FYM and P rather than only P significantly increased the abundance of some ZSMs under maize monocropping systems. Furthermore, as well as affecting ZSM abundance, soil chemical variables involving soil organic carbon (SOC), total N and Olsen P significantly increased with FYM application. This study indicated that management practices such as the application of FYM that increase SOC, and other soil chemical parameters, also/concomitantly increase ZSM abundance. These results imply enhanced capacities for microbial-linked zinc availability with FYM application.

New Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer Fortified with Zinc for Improving Zinc Availability and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize

New Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer Fortified with Zinc for Improving Zinc Availability and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize

Alkaline humic acid fertilizer alters the distribution, availability, and translocation of cadmium and zinc in the acidic soil–Sauropus androgynus system

Humic acids (HA) are a popular soil additive to reduce metal availability, but they have the drawbacks of reduced effectiveness over time and a significant reduction in soil pH. An alkaline humic acid fertilizer (AHAF) combining alkaline additives with HA was developed to overcome such drawbacks. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different AHAF application rates on the physicochemical properties, bioavailability, accumulation, and translocation of Cd and Zn heavy metals in Sauropus androgynus grown in acidic soil. Based on our results, the 100AF (100% AHAF) treatment significantly increased soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and organic matter content (OM) after one year of application. Compared with the control treatment (CK), the application of different rates of AHAF resulted in a 37.1–40.3% decrease in soil exchangeable Cd fractions (Exc-Cd) and an increase in the humic acid-bound Cd fractions (HA-Cd) Fe- and Mn-oxide-bound Cd fractions (OX-Cd), and organic matter-bound Cd fractions (OM-Cd) by 9.5–64.6%, 24.8–45.1%, and 158.8–191.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). The different AHAF treatments decreased the Res-Zn, Exc-Zn, and OM-Zn fractions by 69.6–73.0%, 7.4–23.9%, and 18.1–23.2%, respectively (P < 0.05), and increased the HA-Zn fraction by 8.4–28.1%. In the control treatment, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for Cd and Zn in different S. androgynus plant organs were in the following order: (Cd) Leaves > Stems > Branches > Roots > Edible branches; (Zn) Roots > Stems > Leaves > Branches > Edible branches. The transfer factors (TFs) of Cd and Zn in S. androgynus were classified as follows: TF2 > TF1 > TF3 > TF4. Thus, S. androgynus stems, and roots had a strong ability to transport Cd and Zn to the leaves. Compared with CK, the 100AF treatment significantly increased the BCFs for Zn in all plant parts (except BCFedible branches). In contrast, it significantly decreased all BCFs and TFs for Cd and the TF4 for Zn, effectively reducing Cd and Zn accumulation in the edible branches of S. androgynus. Soil pH, CEC, OM, and HA-M fraction were highly and significantly negatively correlated with Cd and Zn content in edible branches (P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the soil HA-M fraction was the key contributing factor for Zn accumulation and translocation in S. androgynus. Moreover, based on our findings, the absorption, uptake, and translocation of Cd and Zn were mainly determined by metal speciation and the pH in the soil. Moreover, the competitive antagonistic mechanisms between Zn and Cd absorption also affected their accumulation in S. androgynus. Thus, AHAF can be used as a soil amendment to sustainably improve acidic soils and effectively reduce Cd and Zn accumulation in edible branches of S. androgynus.

The Influence of Glomus Mosseae, Palm Frond Compost and Irrigation Duration on the Growth of Millet Plant (Panicum miliaceum L.) and on the Availability of Iron and Zinc in the Soil

To study the effect of inoculation with Gloums Mosseae inoculum, organic residues (palm fronds compost), and irrigation duration on the growth and availability of iron and zinc for millet plant Pamicum Miliaceum L., a field trial was carried out for the summer season 2022 in one of the fields of Al-Diwaniyah Governorate - Sumer district in sandy clay loamy soil. The experiment was implemented following a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The experimental treatments were distributed randomly. They were: with and without fungal inoculum (F0 and F1), three levels of organic residue applications C0 = control, C1 = 3 tons of compost application, C2 = 5 tons of compost application, and three irrigation durations R1= Irrigation every 10 days, R2 = irrigation every 15 days, R3 = irrigation every 20 days. The results are summarized as follows: The results present a significant increase in all the studied traits, plant height, shoot dry weight, and iron concentration in the soil during the flowering and full maturity stages, except for the zinc concentration in the soil, which the increase was not significant. The values of these traits were 88.84 cm plant-1, 56.15 gm plant-1, 290.2 mg Fe kg soil-1, and 230.9 mg Fe kg soil-1, respectively, compared to the control treatment (no application + irrigating every twenty days) 50.62 cm plant-1, 23.53 g plant-1, 135.4 mg Fe kg soil-1,120.8 mg Fe kg soil-1.

Organic Remobilization of zinc and phosphorus availability to plants by application of mineral solubilizing bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Incessant utilization of chemical fertilizers leads to the accumulation of minerals in the soil, rendering them unavailable to plants. Unaware of the mineral reserves present in the soil, farming communities employ chemical fertilizers once during each cultivation, a practice that causes elevated levels of insoluble minerals within the soil. The use of biofertilizers on the other hand, reduces the impact of chemical fertilizers through the action of microorganisms in the product, which dissolves minerals and makes them readily available for plant uptake, helping to create a sustainable environment for continuous agricultural production. In the current investigation, a field trial employing Arachis hypogaea L was conducted to evaluate the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to enhance plant growth and development by solubilizing minerals present in the soil (such as zinc and phosphorus). A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) included five different treatments as T1: Un inoculated Control; T2: Seeds treated with a liquid formulation of P. aeruginosa; T3: Seeds treated with a liquid formulation of P. aeruginosa and the soil amended with organic manure (farmyard); T4: Soil amended with organic manure (farmyard) alone; T5: Seeds treated with lignite (solid) based formulation of P. aeruginosa were used for the study. Efficacy was determined based on the plant's morphological characters and mineral contents (Zn and P) of plants and soil. Survival of P. aeruginosa in the field was validated using Antibiotic Intrinsic patterns (AIP). The results indicated that the combination treatment of P. aeruginosa liquid formulation and organic fertilizer (farmyard) (T3) produced the highest biometric parameters and mineral (Zn and P) content of the groundnut plants and the soil. This outcome is likely attributed to the mineral solubilizing capability of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, the presence of farmyard manure increased the metabolic activity of P. aeruginosa by inducing its heterotrophic activity, leading to higher mineral content in T3 soil compared to other soil treatments. The AIP data confirmed the presence of the applied liquid inoculant by exhibiting a similar intrinsic pattern between the in vitro isolate and the isolate obtained from the fields. In summary, the Zn and P solubilization ability of P. aeruginosa facilitates the conversion of soil-unavailable mineral form into a form accessible to plants. It further proposes the utilization of the liquid formulation of P. aeruginosa as a viable solution to mitigate the challenges linked to solid-based biofertilizers and the reliance on mineral-based chemical fertilizers.

Development and testing of environment friendly nanohybrid coatings for sustainable agriculture technologies

Less than 50% of the applied urea fertilizer is taken up by plants due to poor nitrogen (N) use efficiency which affects overall agricultural productivity and leads to serious environmental and economic problems. Additionally, soils with high salinity might limit zinc (Zn) availability. Low Zn use efficiency (<30%) when applied as synthetic salts, e.g., zinc sulfate has therefore minimized their applicability. Within the past two decades, nanotechnology has gained a lot of interest in the development of effective nano fertilizers with high nutrient use efficiency (NUE). In this perspective, the approach of coating conventional fertilizers with nano materials especially, the ones which are essential nutrients has researched because of their high use efficiency and reduced losses. In this work, a novel and innovative formulation of hybrid nano fertilizer has been prepared for the sustainable release of nutrients. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs <50 nm) were incorporated into the biodegradable polymer (gelatin) and coated on urea using a fluidized bed coater. Among all the formulations, GZnSNPs (1.5% gelatin+0.5% elemental Zn as ZnO-NPs) showed a significant delay in urea release (<80 %) after 120 min). The sand column experiment showed sustainable Zn release for GZnSNPs i.e., 2.7 ppm vs. 3.5 ppm (GZnS) after the 6th day. Moreover, a substantial increase in wheat grain yield (6500 kg/ha), N uptake (46.5 kg/ha) and Zn uptake (21.64 g/ha) were observed for fields amended with GZnSNPs. The composition of GZnSNPs was valuable since this attracted the highest return relative to the other treatments. Gelatin supplied small N-containing molecules, resulting in extra value addition with ZnO-NPs thus increasing yield and fertilizer properties more relative to the same amount of elemental Zn given via bulk salt. Therefore, the findings of the current study recommend the use of ZnO-NPs in the agricultural sector without any negative effects on yield and NUE.

Variability in zinc:phosphorous and zinc:silicon ratios and zinc isotope fractionation in Southern Ocean diatoms: Observations from laboratory and field experiments

We studied the impact of iron limitation on zinc uptake and the zinc isotope (δ66Zn) composition for Southern Ocean phytoplankton. We undertook laboratory culture and field incubation experiments, and linked these to in situ depth profiles of dissolved (dZn) and particulate (pZn) zinc collected from three sites in the Southern Ocean. For the laboratory experiments, diatom growth rates, cellular zinc accumulation, and δ66Zn all responded to changes in iron and zinc bioavailability. A significant increase in the cellular quota for zinc (expressed as zinc:phosphorous (Zn:P)) occurred upon iron limitation and zinc enrichment. At the same time, δ66Zn for organic tissues became isotopically light under high zinc and low iron concentrations. The opposite occurred for frustule δ66Zn values. Here δ66Znfrustule-organic for cultured phytoplankton became isotopically heavier under high zinc and low iron concentrations. For senescing and dead cells, Zn:P declined and δ66Zn increased, indicating a loss of isotopically light zinc from organic matter. For field incubation experiments, δ66Znfrustule was isotopically heavier than seawater, except for added zinc treatments. The percentage of zinc associated with frustule material for laboratory and field incubations encompassed a wide range with values between 1 and 57%. Depth profiles of δ66Zn for dZn and pZn varied, with dZn being isotopically lighter than pZn in low dZn concentration subantarctic waters, whereas the opposite occurred in polar waters where dZn was isotopically heavier than pZn at higher dZn concentrations. Our results show that iron and zinc availability regulates the zinc content of phytoplankton and the δ66Zn composition of the Southern Ocean, which is propagated to other parts of the world ocean.

Metabolomics reveals the impact of nitrogen combined with the zinc supply on zinc availability in calcareous soil via root exudates of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A possible mechanism for the improved availability of zinc (Zn) in soil by combining nitrogen (N) with Zn supply was investigated based on the root exudates of winter wheat. N, Zn supply as well as their combination significantly regulated nine root exudates in winter wheat; in which, the secretion of cis-aconitic acid involving in the TCA cycle, C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism was upregulated by N, Zn supply as well as their combination. N–Zn combination induced the activities of citrate synthase and cis-aconitase in roots and shoots of winter wheat thus to increase the concentrations of citric and aconitic acid; the decrease of isocitric acid concentrations in shoots indicated the inhibited conversion of aconitic acid to isocitric acid by N–Zn combination. It revealed a possible reason for the enhanced secretion of cis-aconitic acid by N–Zn combination. Exogenous addition of 10 μ plant−1 cis-aconitate significantly increased available Zn concentrations in soil and Zn concentrations in winter wheat under N–Zn combination. Thus, the N–Zn combination regulated the metabolism of cis-aconitic acid in winter wheat, thus enhancing the secretion of cis-aconitic acid to increase the bioavailability of Zn in soil.

Acid coating to increase availability of zinc in phosphate fertilizers

BackgroundPrecipitation of Zn phosphates may limit Zn availability in cogranulated P fertilizers. We assessed whether the Zn availability of Zn could be improved by post-granulation acid treatment.MethodsUncoated Zn-fortified monoammonium phosphate granules were compared with sulfuric acid-coated granules in which Zn was either cogranulated or dissolved in the acid coating. Spatially resolved XRF and XANES was used to assess the distribution and speciation of Zn in the granules (before and after incubation in soil) and in the exposed soil. The amount of Zn remaining in the granule was determined after incubation in various soils. The effect of acid coating rate on corn yield was determined in a highly Zn-deficient soil in a pot trial.ResultsThe speciation of Zn in the untreated granules was dominated by Zn phosphates. In the sulfuric acid treatments, sulfate species accounted for ~ 45% (if cogranulated) or ~ 80% (if coated) of the Zn. After one week incubation in soil, 10–86% of the added Zn remained in the residual granule, mostly as sparingly soluble compounds. The Zn speciation in the soil near the granule was dominated by Zn phosphates irrespective of treatment, but Zn moved further away from the application site in the acid treatments, as more Zn was released from the granule. In the pot trial, the dry matter yield increased by 70% at a coating rate of 0.75% H2SO4 compared to the uncoated control.ConclusionsPost-granulation acid treatment of Zn-fortified P fertilizers is an effective way to enhance the phytoavailability of fertilizer Zn.

Does a decade of soil organic fertilization promote copper and zinc phytoavailability? Evidence from a laboratory biotest with field-collected soil samples

Despite chronic contamination, long-term organic fertilization tends to decrease copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) availability in agricultural soils. Root activities of crop plants can also induce substantial changes in rhizosphere chemistry and consequently in the Cu and Zn availability in the rhizosphere. The balance between these two drivers and the overall effect of organic fertilization on Cu and Zn bioavailability to plants (i.e., phytoavailability) remains a matter of debate. We assessed the effect of a decade of agronomically realistic organic fertilization on Cu and Zn availability in the rhizosphere and their phytoavailability. Using a laboratory biotest, Festuca arundinacea was exposed to 34 soil samples collected from three agricultural field trials that had received no, mineral, or organic fertilization for a decade. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) properties (i.e., concentration, aromaticity, and binding properties toward Cu), pH, and Cu and Zn availability (i.e., total dissolved concentration and free ionic activity) were determined in the rhizosphere solutions. Cu and Zn phytoavailability was measured as the plant uptake flux. Contrary to bulk soils, organic fertilization induced very few changes in the chemistry and Cu and Zn availability in the rhizosphere solutions compared to no and mineral fertilization. Consistently, Cu and Zn phytoavailability did not increase with organic fertilization, but it was mostly driven by soil properties rather than by fertilization. Despite increasing soil Cu and Zn contamination, a decade of soil organic fertilization did not increase Cu and Zn phytoavailability, presumably due to the root-mediated levelling of Cu and Zn availability in the rhizosphere.

Growth promotion and zinc biofortification in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by the application of Talaromyces strain as a biostimulant

Zinc deficiency in human beings is common in many societies possibly due to less dietary zinc intake. It requires urgent attention and an ecological solution. Increased solubilization of zinc from soil using microbial biostimulants is an eco-friendly measure to enhance the availability and uptake of zinc and other essential nutrients for plant growth and productivity, and dietary intake in its consumers. The efficacy of Talaromyces flavus var. flavus CBS 310.38, a soil fungus earlier reported by authors for zinc biofortification in potato tubers, was extended in this study, to confirm the growth stimulatory and zinc fortification capabilities of the fungus in lettuce plants. An increase was observed in growth parameters such as fresh weight and the number of leaves per plant by 61.26% and 91.78%, respectively in inoculated plants with zinc supplementation over control (T1). The fungal inoculation along with zinc supplementation enhanced the zinc level in leaves of lettuce by 123.23%, its protein by 27.77%, total phenol by 51.78%, and anthocyanin by 1034% over the control. The nitrate content in leaves was, however, decreased by 23% as compared to the control. The study signifies the importance of this fungal inoculant as a biostimulant and a nature-based solution for zinc supplementation in lettuce as it was observed for potato tubers. The successful utilization of this fungus as a growth stimulant and for zinc biofortification in two vegetable crops of different natures indicates a possibility of its effectively in a wider range of crops, warranting further investigation.

How Do NPK-Organomineral Fertilizers Affect the Soil Availability and Uptake of Iron, Manganese, Copper, and Zinc by Maize Cultivated in Red and Yellow Oxisols?

How Do NPK-Organomineral Fertilizers Affect the Soil Availability and Uptake of Iron, Manganese, Copper, and Zinc by Maize Cultivated in Red and Yellow Oxisols?

The effect of paddy husk biochar towards zinc availability in contaminated soil

Soils polluted with heavy metals have become common across the plantation sector. There is a reduction in plant growth as well as the yield of the plants that have been planted on heavy metal-contaminated soil. Uses of fertilizers and other soil amendments also add small amounts of heavy metals to the soil, which can develop over time with repeated applications. This study was conducted to identify the appropriate rate of paddy husk biochar applied to soil in order to reduce the presence of heavy metals. The main focus was to determine the availability of heavy metals in soil such as zinc. Next, is to know the best possible measure of biochar towards the contaminated soil to decrease the metal availability. The treatment of this experiment is different rates of biochar which are 0 g, 15 g, 20 g, 30 g and 40 g. This research measured the available Zn in the soil before and after applying PHB, which takes 3 weeks to let them interact. The biochar significantly influenced the Zn availability in soil. This study has shown that the application of PHB to soil has the potential to reduce the availability of Zn.

Organic or Inorganic Zinc for Laying Hens? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Zinc Sources on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, and Zinc Excretion.

The higher availability of zinc (Zn) from organic than inorganic sources is already established, but more assertive and cost-friendly protocols on the total replacement of inorganic with organic Zn sources for laying hens still need to be developed. Because some discrepancy in the effects of this replacement in laying hen diets is noticeable in the literature, the objective of this meta-analysis was to properly quantify the effect size of total replacing inorganic Zn with organic Zn in the diet of laying hens on their laying performance, egg quality, and Zn excretion. A total of 2340 results were retrieved from Pubmed, Scielo, Scopus, WOS, and Science Direct databases. Of these, 18 primary studies met all the eligibility criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the replacement of inorganic Zn with organic Zn, regardless of other factors, improved (p < 0.01) egg production by 1.46%, eggshell thickness by 0.01 mm, and eggshell resistance by 0.11 kgf/cm2. Positive results of the same nutritional strategy on egg weight and Zn excretion were only observed at specific conditions, especially when organic Zn was supplemented alone in the feed, not combined with other organic minerals. Therefore, there is evidence in the literature that the total replacement of inorganic Zn with organic Zn improves egg production, eggshell thickness, and eggshell resistance. Factors such as hen age and genetics, organic Zn source, concentration of Zn in the feed, and the strategy of its supplementation have to be more carefully considered in protocols designed to address egg weight and Zn excretion by the hen.

An Estimate of Certain Chelated, Non-Chelated Zinc Sources and Levels on Zinc Use Efficiency, Availability and Yield of Rice Grown in Texturally Different Soils

This study was planned to estimate the performance of three zinc fertilizers [Zn sulfate heptahydrate (non-chelated), Zn- EDTA and Zn-humate (chelated)] at four levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg kg-1) on zinc use efficiency, availability and crop productivity with rice. Field trials were conducted in clay loam and sandy clay loam textured soils using factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Data recorded on yield, Zn uptake, DTPA-Zn, Zn uptake efficiency (ZnUPE), Zn utilization efficiency (ZnUTE), Zn use efficiency (ZnUE), fertilizer Zn uptake efficiency (FZnUPE), fertilizer Zn utilization efficiency (FZnUTE) and fertilizer Zn use efficiency (FZnUE). Among sources, Zn- EDTA recorded the highest grain (5307, 5545 kg ha-1) and straw (6691, 6913 kg ha-1) yield, Zn uptake and DTPA-Zn in both soils, respectively. Among Zn levels, invariably of zinc sources the highest grain (5556, 5771 kg ha-1) and straw (7029, 7120 kg ha-1) yield obtained with 5 mg kg-1 Zn, while 7.5 mg kg-1 Zn registered the highest zinc uptake and DTPA- Zn both in clay loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively. Our results identified that increased Zn levels increased ZnUPE, ZnUTE, and ZnUE. Addition of 2.5 mg kg-1 Zn recorded the highest FZnUPE and FZnUE, while 5.0 mg kg-1 Zn recorded the highest FZnUTE invariably of soil textures. Amongst the sources, Zn humate recorded higher ZnUE and its components. The study concluded that chelated zinc sources performed well than non-chelated (Zn sulphate heptahydrate), and Zn EDTA was more effective than Zn humate in both experimental soils.

The effect of biochar and extract of organic fertilizer on the readiness of certain elements in the soil

A field experiment was conducted at the second research station of the College of Agriculture, Al-Muthanna University, using a mixed soil. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of varying quantities of biochar and organic fertilizer extract on the availability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) elements in the soil.The experimental design encompassed the incorporation of four distinct biochar levels (A0, 0%), (A1, 1.5%), (A2, 2%), and (A3, 2.5%), which were applied proportionally to the soil volume. Additionally, four levels of organic fertilizer extract (0, 20, 40, and 80) liters per hectare (B0, B1, B2, and B3) were implemented. A factorial experiment was employed inside a randomized complete block design (RCBD) framework, consisting of three replications.The means were subjected to a Least substantial Difference (LSD) test at a significance threshold of 0.05. The findings indicated substantial disparities between the application of biochar and organic fertilizer extract, as well as their interaction, in relation to the levels of accessible nitrogen in the soil.Moreover, notable disparities were observed regarding the incorporation of biochar and organic fertilizer extract in relation to the accessibility of phosphorus within the soil. Furthermore, the introduction of biochar and organic fertilizer extract, as well as the interplay between these two factors, exhibited a substantial impact on the availability of potassium within the soil. Furthermore, the use of charcoal and organic fertilizer extract had a notable impact on the accessibility of iron and zinc within the soil.