Soil Zn Application Research Articles

Efficacy of Nitrogen and Zinc Application at Different Growth Stages on Yield, Grain Zinc, and Nitrogen Concentration in Rice

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element involved in human metabolism, which can be supplied by an appropriate diet. Enhancing Zn enrichment in rice grains through agronomic biofortification is advocated as an immediate and effective approach to combat micronutrient malnutrition in hu-man. It has been well-documented that high grain Zn accumulation in rice can be achieved by Zn fertilizers management. This study evaluated the effects of foliar nitrogen (N) and Zn applied at the flowering and milky stages of brown rice plants with and without soil Zn application. A glasshouse pot experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with four replicates. Soil Zn in the form of ZnSO4 was applied at 0 and 50 kg ha−1. Foliar fertilizer of 1% urea along with 0.5% ZnSO4 was applied and assigned as (1) nil foliar N and Zn (N0Zn0), (2) foliar N with nil Zn (N+Zn0), (3) nil foliar N with foliar Zn (N0Zn+), and (4) foliar N and Zn (N+Zn+) at flowering and milky stages. Foliar application of N and Zn increased grain yield and yield components in both soil Zn conditions. Grain Zn concentration in brown rice was the highest when foliar N and Zn were applied under nil soil Zn conditions; however, grain N concentration decreased by 13.1–28.5% with foliar application at flowering and 18.8–28.5% with application at the milky stage. The grain Zn content was increased by foliar application of N0Zn+ and N+Zn+ at flowering and milky stages. Applying foliar N and Zn at flowering or milky stages tended to increase the grain N content when Zn was applied to the soil, while nil soil Zn decreased the N content by 26.8% at flowering and milky stages under N0Zn+. The results suggest that the milky stage is the most suitable for foliar application of Zn for increasing (i) grain yield and (ii) N and Zn concentrations in brown rice without having a dilution effect.

Microbial mechanism of zinc fertilizer input on rice grain yield and zinc content of polished rice.

Zinc is an essential minor element for rice growth and human health, which can also change the structure of the microorganisms. However, it remains unclear for the effects of zinc fertilizer on microbiome function in agricultural soils and crops. To solve this research gap, we investigated the relationship between improving rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield, Zn concentration, soil microbial community diversity, and function by the application of Zn fertilizer. The field trials included three rice varieties (Huanghuazhan, Nanjing9108, and Nuodao-9925) and two soil Zn levels (0 and 30 kg ha–1) in Jiangsu province, China. As a test, we studied the variety of soil bacterial composition, diversity, and function using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that soil Zn application reduced the diversity of microbial community, but the bacterial network was more closely linked, and the metabolic function of bacterial community was improved, which increased the grain yield (17.34–19.52%) and enriched the Zn content of polished rice (1.40–20.05%). Specifically, redundancy analysis (RDA) and Mantel’s test results revealed soil total nitrogen (TN) was the primary driver that led to a community shift in the rice rhizosphere bacterial community, and soil organic carbon (SOC) was considered to have a strong influence on dominant phyla. Furthermore, network analysis indicated the most critical bacterial taxa were identified as Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi based on their topological roles of microorganisms. KEGG metabolic pathway prediction demonstrated that soil Zn application significantly (p < 0.05) improved lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and xenobiotic biodegradation. Overall, their positive effects were different among rice varieties, of which Nanjing-9108 (NJ9108) performed better. This study opens new avenues to deeply understand the plant and soil–microbe interactions by the application of fertilizer and further navigates the development of Zn-rich rice cultivation strategies.

Effect of mode of Zinc application on yield and yield components of Maize

There are three main methods of adding micronutrients to crops: soil fertilization, foliar spray and seed treatment. Each method has the potential to affect plant micronutrient nutrition. The objective of this research was to evaluate different methods of Zn application in maize. For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar during summer 2006. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design with three replications. Three methods of Zn application, soil application, foliar spray and seed treatment were included in the experiment. Three doses of Zinc sulphate (5, 10 and 15 kg ha-1) were supplied to the maize crop as soil application before sowing. Solutions of 0% (water), 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% Zinc sulphate were sprayed on the crop at 5-6 leaf stage. For seed priming, the maize seed was soaked in 0% (water), 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% Zinc sulphate solutions for 16 h. The control treatment was dry seeds of maize. Soil application of Zinc sulphate at the rate of 15 kg ha-1 resulted in higher grains cob-1, thousand grain weight and grain yield of maize. Planned mean comparison indicated that soil application of Zn was a superior fertilization method as compared to foliar or seed priming. It is concluded that soil application of Zinc sulphate at the rate of 15 kg ha-1 enhances yield and yield components of maize.

Zinc fertilization strategies in soybean: plant uptake, yield, and seed concentration

Based on the expected increase in soybean (Glycine max L.) demand and the current yield gap, smart management strategies of crop nutrition are required to improve the use of resources. Given that zinc (Zn) deficiency is the most widespread micronutrient problem in agricultural production systems, the objective of this study was to evaluate, under field conditions, the effect of different Zn fertilization strategies on seed yield, Zn uptake, and seed Zn concentration in Zn-deficient soils. To this end, a field experiment was conducted at three sites evaluating the following treatments: (i) Control = no Zn application; (ii) Seed-Zn = Zn applied to the seed (0.3 kg ha−1); (iii) Foliar-Zn = Zn foliar-applied at V5 (0.7 kg ha−1); and (iv) Soil-Zn = Zn applied to the soil at sowing (2.1 kg ha−1). At all sites, Zn fertilization significantly (p < 0.05) increased seed yield (9.5%) regardless of the fertilization strategy. The Foliar- and Soil-Zn applications generated the greatest leaf Zn concentration at R5.5 stage (60 and 50 mg kg−1, respectively). Zinc concentration in stems, pods, and the whole plant did not differ between treatments (avg. 12, 41, and 31 mg kg−1, respectively). Only Soil-Zn application increased seed Zn concentration compared to the unfertilized Control (11%). Future research on Zn dynamic in soybean should focus on: (i) recalibrating thresholds based on leaf and seed Zn concentration and (ii) evaluating different times, sources, and rates of Foliar-Zn application in reproductive stages, alone or in combination with Soil-Zn applications, to reach Zn biofortification.

Improved agronomic biofortification of sweetcorn achieved using foliar rather than soil Zn applications

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis field and glasshouse study evaluates the relative effectiveness of agronomic zinc biofortification strategies to increase the Zn concentration in sweetcorn (Zea mays) kernels for human health, using applications of Zn fertilizer to the root‐zone or to foliage.FindingsPlants accumulated additional Zn as the rate of Zn applied to the root‐zone increased, but most was retained in the stems and foliage and little was translocated into the kernels (≤7%). A large proportion of the additional Zn stored in the foliage was in the form of Zn‐phytate. In contrast, in field‐grown plants where soil Zn was adequate for maximizing commercial yields, Zn applications to foliage increased kernel Zn concentrations by up to 100%. ZnSO4·7H2O was more effective to use in foliar applications compared with Zn‐EDTA.ConclusionThe elevated kernel concentrations recorded for two varieties (59.1 and 71.1 mg Zn kg−1) were greater than all previously reported biofortification responses from maize. These concentrations also matched or exceeded the HarvestPlus target of 60 mg Zn kg−1 for maize.Significance and NoveltyWith a total kernel Zn content of 3.6 mg Zn per cob, approximately 25%–45% of the recommended dietary Zn intake could be met with one cob of Zn‐biofortified sweetcorn.

Agronomic biofortification increases concentrations of zinc and storage proteins in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grains

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for plants and mammals and its deficiency affects billions of people worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil Zn fertilization and foliar Zn sprays in different phenological stages of the plant on the grain nutritional quality of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Field experiments were carried out in two consecutive harvest years under no-till system in an Oxisol. Two commercial common bean cultivars were used: BRS Esteio (black bean) and IPR Campos Gerais (Carioca bean). Total concentration of Zn, amino acids, sucrose, total sugars and storage proteins (albumin, globulin, glutelin and prolamin) in grains were evaluated. The cultivar BRS Esteio exhibited higher grain enrichment with Zn than the cultivar IPR Campos Gerais, showing genotypic variation. Single foliar Zn spray of 600 g ha−1 at the initial grain filling stage was shown to be the best way to improve the grain Zn concentration, without affecting grain yield. Foliar Zn spray at the final stage of grain filling favored the increase of Zn concentration in the pods over the Zn concentration in the grains. Agronomic biofortification of bean grains with Zn was more efficient with foliar Zn spraying than with the soil Zn fertilization, however, the soil Zn application favored the increase of concentrations of total amino acids and storage proteins (albumin, globulin and glutelin) in the grains. Agronomic biofortification proved to be efficient in increasing concentrations of Zn and storage proteins in common bean grains.

Yield, zinc efficiencies and biofortification of wheat with zinc sulfate application in soil and foliar nanozinc fertilisation

Context Agronomic biofortification of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with zinc (Zn) is an effective approach to increase grain Zn concentration and productivity and alleviate Zn malnutrition in humans. Foliar Zn application is an alternative strategy to endorse soil Zn deficiency with better grain Zn partitioning. Aims This study aimed to better understand dose management of soil and foliar Zn application in wheat for biofortification. Methods The objectives was to evaluate the effect of foliar applied nano Zn doses (0, 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6 kg/ha (zinc oxide, ZnO) 50% at tillering and 50% at grain filling in combination) with soil Zn application (0 and 8 kg/ha, as zinc sulfate) on growth, nutrition, Zn use efficiencies, intake and yield biofortification of wheat in 2019 and 2020 under Brazilian savanna. Key results Combined foliar and soil Zn application increased shoot and grains Zn concentration and accumulation with greater dry matter (9.8 and 10.6%) and grain yield (9.8 and 11%) of wheat as compared to control in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Zinc use efficiency (ZnUE), Zn utilisation efficiency and applied Zn recovery improved with soil Zn application and 2.5 kg/ha foliar nano Zn, but decreased with further increase in foliar Zn application. Zn sulfate stood out for increasing crop productivity while foliar spray with nano Zn for better grains biofortification of wheat. Conclusions Soil Zn application along with 3 kg/ha of foliar nano Zn increased plant and grains Zn concentration and accumulation, dry matter, grain yield, Zn partitioning index and Zn intake in wheat in tropical conditions of Brazil. Implications The combined application of soil and foliar Zn in harsh tropical savannah condition could better improve Zn nutrition, crop growth, and productivity with better Zn biofortification and intake of wheat.

Agronomic biofortification and productivity of wheat with soil zinc and diazotrophic bacteria in tropical savannah

Agronomic biofortification of staple food with zinc (Zn) in combination with diazotrophic bacteria is one sustainable and feasible strategy to improve plant nutrition, nutrient use efficiency and production and combat Zn malnutrition in human beings. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food of the global population and has a prospective role in agronomic Zn biofortification. In this context, the effect of diazotrophic bacterial inoculations in seeds (no inoculation – Control, Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) in association with soil Zn application (without (0) and 8 kg/ha) was evaluated on Zn nutrition, growth, yield and Zn use efficiencies in wheat in the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. Soil Zn application in combination with P. fluorescens improved Zn concentration in the leaf (38.8 and 45.9%), shoot (25.0 and 31%) and grain (34.0 and 33.3%) with greater shoot dry matter (9.4 and 9.9%) and grain yield (20.3 and 20.6%) as compared to controls in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Also, inoculation of P. fluorescens with Zn application improved Zn shoot and grain accumulation, zinc use efficiency, recovery and utilisation efficiency. With daily wheat consumption, these improvements would be associated with a with higher estimated Zn intake for the human population globally and within Brazil. However, agro-physiological efficiency was increased with inoculation of Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, inoculation of P. fluorescens in association with soil Zn application is recommended for agronomic biofortification, and to increase productivity and Zn use efficiencies in wheat in the tropical savannah of Brazil.

Seed priming and soil application of zinc decrease grain cadmium accumulation in standard and zinc-biofortified wheat cultivars

Context Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal for both plants and humans. Wheat grown on Cd-contaminated soils may accumulate toxic levels of Cd in grains. Aim This study aimed to compare soil zinc (Zn) application and seed Zn-priming for decreasing grain Cd concentration in standard and Zn-biofortified wheat cultivars grown on Cd-spiked soil. Methods Standard (Jauhar-2016) and Zn-biofortified (Zincol-2016) wheat cultivars were grown in pots filled with Cd-spiked soil (8 mg Cd kg−1). The tested Zn treatments were un-primed, hydro-primed, and Zn-primed seeds with and without soil Zn application at 8 mg kg−1. Key results Zinc treatments significantly mitigated the toxic effects of Cd on the growth and physiological parameters of both cultivars. As compared to control, all Zn treatments significantly increased Zn and decreased Cd concentration in grains of the cultivars. On average, the maximum increase in grain Zn concentration over control was approximately 36% with Zn-priming + soil Zn. The same treatment, as compared to control, decreased grain Cd concentration by 42% in Zincol-2016 and 35% in Jauhar-2016. Grain Cd concentration was within the permissible level (≤0.2 mg kg−1) in Jauhar-2016 at all Zn treatments and in Zincol-2016 at Zn-priming + soil Zn. Conclusion Soil Zn application, seed Zn-priming, and their combination were effective in decreasing grain Cd accumulation in wheat grown on Cd-contaminated soil. Implication Zinc treatments, especially the combination of soil Zn application and seed Zn-priming, should be recommended for wheat grown on Cd-contaminated soil.

Combined zinc and selenium biofortification in field peas under Mediterranean conditions

The intake of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se), two essential micronutrients, is deficient worldwide both in humans and in livestock. This deficiency could be alleviated through agronomic biofortification, a practice that increases their concentrations in edible parts through mineral application. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in a 2-year field experiment (2017/18, 2018/19) the suitability of field peas to increase Zn and Se grain concentration after soil Zn application (50 kg Zn ha−1; no Zn) and foliar application (0; 10 g Se ha−1; 8 kg Zn ha−1; 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1). Zinc bioavailability (estimated by the molar ratio phytate/mineral), grain yield, thousand grain weight, grain crude protein and mineral status (magnesium, calcium and iron) of the grain were also evaluated by following a split-split plot design. For biofortification purposes, the combined foliar application of Zn (8 kg Zn ha−1) and Se (10 g Se ha−1) increased Zn and Se concentrations in grain by around 30% and 73%, respectively, as well as Zn bioavailability, decreasing the molar ratio phytate/Zn by 30%. The additional soil application of 50 kg Zn ha−1 increased grain yield by 16%. Other nutritional parameters, such as content of protein or other essential minerals, were also improved (or at least not negatively affected) by the combined application of Zn and Se. All of these aspects evidenced the suitability of field peas for use in biofortification programmes through the simultaneous application of Zn and Se, which might also cheapen application costs.

Seed priming with zinc sulfate and zinc chloride affects physio-biochemical traits, grain yield and biofortification of bread wheat (

Zinc deficiency impedes wheat productivity and is major cause of malnutrition in humans consuming wheat products low in Zn, especially in developing countries, which experience low rates of soil and foliar Zn application owing to high cost of chemical Zn fertilisers. This pot study was conducted to evaluate the potential of seed priming with Zn for improving performance and grain biofortification of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Seeds of wheat cultivars Faisalabad-2008 and Lasani-2008 received one of four Zn treatments involving soaking in aerated solutions of ZnCl2 (0.05 or 0.1 M Zn) or ZnSO4 (0.1 or 0.5 M Zn); untreated seeds were taken as a control. All Zn seed priming treatments improved wheat performance. Seed priming with 0.1 M ZnCl2 advanced seedling emergence, whereas seed priming with 0.5 M ZnSO4 improved leaf elongation/expansion, chlorophyll content, shoot Zn concentration and plant photosynthetic traits. Seed priming with 0.1 and 0.5 M ZnSO4 improved plant water relations. Moreover, seed priming with 0.5 M ZnSO4 improved grain yield (63.1%), and grain Zn concentration (43.1%) and content (93.1%), with low [phytate]:[Zn] compared with non-primed seeds. Faisalabad-2008 performed better than Lasani-2008. In conclusion, seeds of bread wheat may be primed with 0.5 M ZnSO4 as a Zn source for improving plant physiology, yield and grain biofortification.

Maize Yield Response to Zinc Fertilization in Farmer’s Field under Rainfed Condition in Hill Region of Assam, Eastern Himalayan Region

Zinc (Zn) is the micronutrient that most commonly limits maize yields but it receives much less attention than other inputs. The present field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Zn fertilizers on growth and yield of maize in farmer’s field under rainfed condition in hill region of Assam, Eastern Himalayan Region for authenticating Zn fertilizer application in increasing the yield of summer maize in actual farmer’s field condition. The experiment was carried out in 6 locations (as replication) of three villages with four treatments which consist of recommended dose of fertilizer (90:40:40 kg NPK kgha-1), recommended dose of fertilizer with ZnSO4 @15 kg ha-1, Farmers’ practice with ZnSO4 @ 15 kg ha-1 and Farmers’ practice (No application of fertilizers) as control. Maize responded positively to Zn fertilization where the yields increased from 4.62 t ha−1 without Zn to 4.91 t ha−1 with Zn under recommended dose of fertilizers. The yield response of maize to application of Zn only recorded 9.15 % increase in yield in case of farmers practice without any fertilizers. Zn application increased maize yield due to increased cob length, cob diameter, kernel numbers and kernel weight in Zn-deficient soils. The increase in grain yield in case of combined use of fertilizer and ZnSO4 (heptahydrate) was mainly due to significantly more number of kernels per cob (392) as well as kernel weight (120.3 g) over application of fertilizers only i.e. 368 and 108.4 g respectively. The result of the present study reveals that, basal soil application of Zn as ZnSO4 @ 15 kg ha-1 in maize crop along with recommended fertilizers is highly recommended for the soils of North Eastern Hill region of India.

Effect of Processing on Some Quality Parameters of Flour and Bread Made from Wheat Grain Biofortified with Zn and Se

Millions of people have inadequate Se and Zn intakes, but agronomic biofortification could prevent this. This study evaluated the effect of the combined Zn and Se biofortification on the quality parameters of grain, and on the composition of minerals (Zn, Se, Mg, Ca and Fe) and their availability in bread-making wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) products, white flour, wholemeal bread and white bread were evaluated. The studied treatments were soil Zn (no Zn, and 50 kg Zn ha−1) and foliar applications (0, 10 g Se ha−1, 8 kg Zn ha−1, and 10 g Se ha−1 + 8 kg Zn ha−1) and were tested in a two-year field experiment (2017–2018, 2018–2019). The foliar combined biofortification increased the concentration of both minerals in white flour, wholemeal bread and white bread by about 33%, 24% and 51%, respectively for Zn, and 3.3-fold, 3.4-fold and 2.7-fold for Se, showing a synergistic effect on Se concentration with the Se and Zn combination. While the loss of Zn and Se during the milling process was41% and 18%, respectively, baking caused a loss of 15% and 19%, respectively, for wholemeal bread, and up to 61% and 29% for Zn and Se for white bread. Hence, although the consumption of wholemeal bread instead of white bread may enhance Zn and Se intake more than biofortification, until consumption habits change, the biofortification of wheat can help to mitigate inadequate Zn and Se intakes in the general population.

Amelioration of zinc deficiency in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) through soil applied zinc in Typic Haplustepts soil of Rajasthan

Aim: To study the amelioration of zinc deficiency in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) through soil applied zinc in Typic Haplustepts soil of Rajasthan. Methodology: A two year field experiment was undertaken during Kharif 2016 and 2017 at Instructional Farm (Agronomy), Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The treatments comprised application of Zn to soil @ 3 kg Zn ha-1, 4 kg Zn ha-1, 5 kg Zn ha-1 and 6 kg Zn ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. Results: Application of zinc significantly (P=0.05) increased the number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed yield, haulm yield, biological yield, nutrient (N, P, K &amp; Zn) content and uptake, protein content, net return and B:C ratio in blackgram. Soil application of Zn@5 kg ha-1 significantly increased seed yield, haulm yield and biological yield by 72.53, 50.08 and 57.68 per cent over the control in pooled analysis, respectively. However, the effect of application of Zn@5 kg ha-1 on yield attributes, yield, nutrient content, uptake, quality and economics of blackgram was found statistically at par with the application of 6 kg Zn ha-1. Interpretation: The application of Zn@ 5 kg ha-1 along with the recommended dose of fertilizer (NPK) resulted in significantly (P=0.05) higher productivity, nutrient uptake, quality and profitability of blackgram under Typic Haplustepts soil of Rajasthan.

Zinc Effects Yield of Mustard (Brassica campestris L.) Under Zero Tillage

Zero or no tillage (ZT) mustard (Brassica campestris L.) cultivation is being increased and popularized these days in Bangladesh. But micronutrient management specially Zinc (Zn) with recommended dose of NPKSB fertilizers are poorly practiced in this type of cultivation. Micro nutrient deficiency is an emerging problem due continuous usage of soil resources (ground water, intensive cultivation etc.). Thus, to sustain and adopt the potential yield of modern mustard varieties all types fertilization is must. Basing on this problem an investigation was employed at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Sub-station, farm, Ishurdi, Pabna to find out definite dose of zinc application under zero tillage mustard cultivation for maximizing seed yield. The study was laid in a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Two modern varieties viz. Binasarisha-10 (V1) and BARI Sarisha-14 (V2) were tested with six level of Zn doses viz. 0.0 kg ha-1 (T1), 1.5 kg ha-1 (T2), 3.0 kg ha-1 (T3), 4.5 kg ha-1 (T4), 6.0 kg ha-1 (T5) and 7.5 kg ha-1 (T6). Seed were line broadcasted after harvesting T. aman rice during Rabi 2020 season. Data on yield parameters were collected after final harvesting and analyzed by Statistix 10. Results divulge that maximum straw and seed yield was attained with treatment combinations V1T4 (3.63 t ha-1) and V2T4 (2.24 t ha-1) with V2T3 (2.18 t ha-1). Whereas, the minimum was obtained from V2T5 (2.51 t ha-1) and V1T1 (0.99 t ha-1) along with V2T1 (1.01 t ha-1). Hence, soil application of Zn between 3 kg ha-1 to 4.5 kg ha-1 may give satisfactory yield for ZT farming.

Good soil management can reduce dietary zinc deficiency in Zimbabwe

BackgroundDietary zinc (Zn) deficiency is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with adverse impacts on human health. Agronomic biofortification with Zn fertilizers and improved soil fertility management, using mineral and organic nutrient resources, has previously been shown to increase Zn concentration of staple grain crops, including maize. Here, we show the potential of different soil fertility management options on maize crops to reduce dietary Zn deficiency in Zimbabwe using secondary data from a set of surveys and field experiments.MethodsAn ex-ante approach was used, informed by published evidence from studies in three contrasting smallholder production systems in Zimbabwe. To estimate current Zn deficiency in Zimbabwe, data on dietary Zn supply from non-maize sources from the Global Expanded Nutrient Supply (GENuS) data set were linked to maize grain Zn composition observed under typical current soil fertility management scenarios.ResultsA baseline dietary Zn deficiency prevalence of 68% was estimated from a reference maize grain Zn composition value of 16.6 mg kg−1 and an estimated dietary Zn intake of 9.3 mg capita−1 day−1 from all food sources. The potential health benefits of reducing Zn deficiency using different soil fertility management scenarios were quantified within a Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) framework. A scenario using optimal mineral NPK fertilizers and locally available organic nutrient resources (i.e. cattle manure and woodland leaf litter), but without additional soil Zn fertilizer applications, is estimated to increase maize grain Zn concentration to 19.3 mg kg−1. This would reduce the estimated prevalence of dietary Zn deficiency to 55%, potentially saving 2238 DALYs year−1. Universal adoption of optimal fertilizers, to include soil Zn applications and locally available organic leaf litter, is estimated to increase maize grain Zn concentration to 32.4 mg kg−1 and reduce dietary Zn deficiency to 16.7%, potentially saving 9119 DALYs year−1. Potential monetized yield gains from adopting improved soil fertility management range from 49- to 158-fold larger than the potential reduction in DALYs, if the latter are monetized using standard methods.ConclusionFarmers should be incentivized to adopt improved soil fertility management to improve both crop yield and quality.

Combined Effect of Salinity and Zinc Nutrition on Some Physiological and Biochemical Properties of Rosemary

ABSTRACT Salinity and reducing its destructive effects on plant, soil, and water is among the most important challenges in agricultural lands. This study aims to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) and salinity on some physiological and biochemical properties of rosemary. A greenhouse experiment with two levels of Zn (0 and 20 mg kg−1) and salinity of sodium chloride (0, 60, and 120 mM) in a completely randomized design was used. Salinity decreased dry weight and concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, and Zn in rosemary shoots. However, it increased electrolyte leakage, shoot sodium concentration, phenolic compounds, and catalase activity. Zinc application increased rosemary dry weight by 13% and 9% under salinity levels of 0 and 60 mM NaCl, respectively. However, at higher salinity level (120 mM), it could not ameliorate the negative impact of salinity. Zinc improved the growth of rosemary under salinity stress by increasing the cell membrane stability, increasing shoot K, Ca, Mg, and Zn concentrations, and decreasing shoot Na concentration. The concentration of phenolic compounds in the leaves of rosemary grown under the salinity levels of 0 and 60 mM NaCl increased under the influence of Zn application. Nevertheless, the phenolic content remained unchanged under 120 mM NaCl salinity level. In this study, Zn addition increased catalase activity under all salinity levels. According to the results, optimum soil Zn application can be considered as an efficient and rapid solution for increasing rosemary growth and its tolerance to salinity stress.

Zinc fertilization effect on productivity and nutritional status of rice (Oryza sativa) in North-east India

The highest increase in grain Zn concentration was observed with foliar Zn application followed by ZnCU and least with soil Zn application. Among various Zn fertilization options, 3% ZnCU and soil application of Zn (5 kg/ha) was found most promising for improvement in growth attributes, grain and straw yields and Zn, N, P, K and S concentrations in rice grain. Therefore, Zn application through 3% ZnCU to rice is a recommendable option for improving rice productivity and its nutritional status in NEH region of India.

Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Soil and Foliar Application of Nano-ZnO and Bulk Zn-fertilizer in Red Acidic Soil of West Bengal, India

In cereal crops Zinc (Zn) deficiency has become a major problem which causes reduction in yield and nutritional quality of the cereal grain, thus affecting human health. Being an essential micronutrient for the production of rice crop, Zn deficiency appears to be an acute problem for the human population whose staple food is rice. Small increase in the nutritive value of rice can thus contribute to the human nutrition. Thus, increasing the micronutrient content of a food crop with the help of enriched fertilizers appears to be an effective way. During two successive growing seasons (wet season, 2017 and dry season, 2018) at the experimental farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, West Bengal, India, field experiments were carried out to assess the potential of Zn fertilizer on plant height, grain quality, leaf chlorophyll and leaf Zn content of rice plant (Oryza sativa L.) variety MTU-1010 by application of foliar Nano-ZnO (Zinc oxide) and soil ZnSO4.7H2O (Zinc Sulphate Hepta Hydrate). In both seasons, each experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replicates. Soil Zn as ZnSO4.H2O applications were assigned in the plots at the rate of 5 kg/ha and 0.30% nano-ZnO were assigned as foliar Zn spray along with the basal doses of 80 kg nitrogen (N), 40 kg phosphorus (P2O5) and 40 kg potassium (K2O)/ha as per the treatment details. After 15 days, 30 days, 45 days from transplanting and at the time of flowering as well as post-flowering chlorophyll (a, b, a+b) and Zn in rice plant leaves were determined. Plant heights were recorded after 30 days, 60 days and 90 days from transplanting and at the time of harvest. Quality parameters such as amylose, starch and crude protein content of the grain samples were determined at harvest stage. The results obtained from present assessment showed that, application of soil as well as foliar Zn resulted in significant increase in leaf Zn content, chlorophyll content, grain crude protein and plant height compared to the control. No significant effect on starch and amylose was recorded with Zn fertilization. Foliar spraying with 0.30% nano-ZnO at the time of flowering and post flowering showed a significant augmentation in leaf Zn concentration, chlorophyll content, plant height and quality of rice grain compared to the treatments receiving soil Zn application. Therefore it is considered as a more beneficial treatment in the cultivation of rice plants to promote plant growth and quality.

Responses of Purple Rice Genotypes to Nitrogen and Zinc Fertilizer Application on Grain Yield, Nitrogen, Zinc, and Anthocyanin Concentration.

Purple rice is recognized as a staple food for humans and as a source of anthocyanins and micronutrients such as zinc (Zn). This study examined how nitrogen (N) and Zn fertilizers affected grain yield and grain N, Zn, and anthocyanin concentration among purple rice genotypes. Six purple rice genotypes (PIZ, KAK, KS, KH-CMU, KDK, and HN) were grown under two levels of N, the optimum N60 (60 kg/ha) and high N180 (180 kg/ha) rates, along with three Zn application methods (no Zn application (Zn0), soil Zn application (ZnS; 50 kg ZnSO4/ha), and foliar Zn spray (ZnF; 0.5% ZnSO4 at the rate of 900 L/ha three times at heading, flowering, and early milk stages). Grain yield of the five purple rice landraces increased by 21–40% when increasing N from N60 to N180, although no response was found with HN. The higher N rate increased grain N concentration by 10–50% among the genotypes, while anthocyanin concentration increased by 100–110% in KAK and KS, and grain Zn was increased in KS. Applying ZnS increased grain yield by 16–94% but decreased anthocyanin and N concentrations compared to the control Zn0. Applying ZnF effectively increased grain Zn concentration by 40–140% in the genotypes without adversely impacting grain anthocyanin or N concentration. This study demonstrated that the appropriate management of N and Zn fertilizers for specific purple rice genotypes would be one way to increase productivity and grain N, Zn, and anthocyanin concentration.