Zinc-deficient Soil Research Articles

Effect of soil and foliar zinc application on zinc concentration and bioavailability in wheat grain grown on potentially zinc-deficient soil

Three field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of soil Zn, foliar Zn, and soil N application on Zn and phytic acid concentrations in wheat grain grown on potentially Zn-deficient soil. Results showed significant genotypic variation in grain Zn concentrations among fifteen wheat cultivars commonly grown in northwest China. Soil Zn application had mixed effects, increasing grain Zn concentrations of some cultivars by as much as 21%, but reducing grain Zn concentrations of other cultivars by as much as 14%. In comparison, foliar Zn application increased grain Zn concentrations by 26 to 115%. Grain Zn concentrations were 14% larger in the combined (foliar Zn + soil Zn) treatment compared to the foliar Zn treatment, but the added cost of soil Zn application may not be economically justifiable. Wheat grain phytic acid concentrations and phytic acid: Zn molar ratios were less in the foliar Zn and (foliar Zn + soil Zn) treatments compared to the soil Zn and the unfertilized treatments. This indicated that foliar Zn increased Zn bioavailability. Best results were obtained when foliar Zn was applied at early grain filling. Overall, these findings indicate that foliar Zn application to Zn-efficient cultivars could reduce human Zn deficiency in regions with potentially Zn-deficient soil.

Critical Soil Zinc Deficiency Concentration and Tissue Iron: Zinc Ratio as a Diagnostic Tool for Prediction of Zinc Deficiency in Corn

ABSTRACT Zinc (Zn) fertilizer application is most economic if based on soil test and plant analysis information. The aim of this study was to determine the soil test [diethylenetrinitrilopentaacetate (DTPA) and ethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (EDTA) extractable] Zn-critical levels and tissue Fe/Zn ratio for corn (Zea mays L.). A greenhouse experiment with 12 soil series and two Zn fertilizer treatments (0 and 15 mg Zn kg−1 as zinc sulfate) was conducted. Critical Zn deficiency levels were determined using the Cate-Nelson procedure. Relative corn yield varied from 0.59 to 1.64. Critical deficiency levels based on the Cate-Nelson method were 1.50 and 1.17 mg kg−1 for DTPA and EDTA-extracted soil Zn, respectively. No accurate critical deficiency level could be established using the shoot Zn concentrations. The critical iron (Fe)/Zn ratio in the corn shoot was 3.9. Values greater than 3.9 indicate hidden Zn deficiency and probable response to applied Zn.

Zinc Deficiency in Soils, Crops and Food in Mali and Options for Remediation

Zinc Deficiency in Soils, Crops and Food in Mali and Options for Remediation

Zinc in Soils, Crops, and Meals in the Niger Inland Delta, Mali

Zinc deficiency is a problem in developing countries and not least so in Africa. This concerns both agriculture and human food provision. Zinc deficiency in soils may severely decrease yields, whereas insufficient zinc in food intake primarily affects the immune defense, notably in children. The present investigation concerned zinc availability in soils, crops, and food in the Niger inland delta in Mali. Agricultural soils are largely deficient in plant-available zinc, however, soils in close vicinity to habitation show elevated zinc concentrations. The zinc concentrations in crops are low; in rice, they are about half of reference ranges. Zinc intake assessed from a number of sampled meals was about half the recommended requirement. When zinc concentration is higher phytate was also high, which made the zinc less available. In spite of a recorded sufficient intake of iron, anemia is common and is most likely because of the high phytate concentration in the cereal-dominated diet. Increasing zinc and iron availability would be possible through the use of malting, fermentation, and soaking in food preparation. Finally, in the long run, any trace element deficiency, especially that of zinc in agricultural soils needs to be amended by addition of appropriate amounts in commercial fertilizers.

Development of Large‐Seeded High‐Quality, High‐Yielding Great Northern Dry Bean ‘Hungerford’ and ‘Sawtooth’

Large‐seeded (45 g 100 seed weight−1), high‐yielding, and high‐quality Hungerford (Reg. No. CV‐285, PI 653258) and Sawtooth (Reg. No. CV‐286, PI 653259) great northern dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars were developed at the University of Idaho‐Kimberly Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station released Hungerford and Sawtooth on 12 Apr. 2007. Hungerford and Sawtooth are full‐season (95–100 d maturity) cultivars adapted to the western United States that have resistance to Bean common mosaic virus (an aphid‐vectored potyvirus) and rust [caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) Ung.]. Both also have moderate to high levels of resistance to heat, drought, and soil zinc deficiency and manganese toxicity.

Breeding for Slow‐Darkening, High‐Yielding, Broadly Adapted Dry Bean Pinto ‘Kimberly’ and ‘Shoshone’

Pinto dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) ‘Kimberly’ (Reg. No. CV‐283, PI 653256) and ‘Shoshone’ (Reg. No. CV‐284, PI 653257) were developed at the University of Idaho‐Kimberly Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Both were released by the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station on 12 Apr. 2007. Kimberly is a full‐season (100 d to maturity) and Shoshone is an early‐ to medium‐maturing cultivar. Both have light‐colored and slow‐darkening pinto seed. Both are high‐yielding, widely adapted cultivars and possess the bc‐3 and I genes imparting resistance to all strains of Bean common mosaic virus and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (an aphid‐vectored potyvirus) and to rust [caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) Ung.]. Both also have moderate to high levels of resistance to heat and drought. However, both are susceptible to soil zinc deficiency and manganese toxicity.

A study of the role of root morphological traits in growth of barley in zinc-deficient soil

A study of the role of root morphological traits in growth of barley in zinc-deficient soil

A study of the role of root morphological traits in growth of barley in zinc-deficient soil

Zinc (Zn) deficiency reduces crop yields globally. This study investigated the importance of root morphological traits, especially root hairs, in plant growth and Zn uptake. Wild-type barley (Hordeum vulgare) Pallas and its root-hairless mutant brb were grown in soil and solution culture at different levels of Zn supply for 16 d. Root morphological traits (root length, diameter, and surface area) were measured using the WinRHIZOPro Image Analysis system. In soil culture, Pallas had greater shoot dry matter, shoot Zn concentration, shoot Zn content, and Zn uptake per cm(2) root surface area than brb, primarily under zinc deficiency. Both Pallas and brb developed longer roots under Zn deficiency. Development of root hairs was not affected by plant Zn status. In solution culture, there were no significant genotypic differences in any of the parameters measured, indicating that mutation in brb does not affect growth and Zn uptake. However, both Pallas and brb developed longer and thinner roots, and root hair growth was less than in soil culture, and was not affected by plant Zn status. The better growth and greater Zn uptake of Pallas compared with brb in Zn-deficient soil can be attributed primarily to greater root surface area due to root hairs in Pallas rather than other root morphological differences.

The Effect of Increasing Nitrogen and Zinc Doses on the Iron, Copper and Manganese Contents of Maize Plant in Calcareous and Zinc Deficient Soils

This research was carried out in order to determine the effects of increasing nitrogen and zinc fertilizers on the iron, copper and manganese content of maize plant in calcareous and zinc deficient soils. For this purpose sandy calcareous and clay calcareous soils were used in this research. The experiment was done under greenhouse conditions with three replications and maize was grown. Three different doses of N (N 0 : 0; N 1 : 50 and N 2 : 100 kg N ha -1 ) were applied to each pot as NH 4 NO 3 . Four different doses of Zn (Zn 0 ; 0; Zn 1 : 5; Zn 2 : 10 and Zn 3 : 20 mg kg -1 ) were applied to each pot as ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O. According to the results, dry matter amount of maize plant increased with increasing of N and Zn doses. Iron, Cu and Mn contents of maize plant decreased with increasing of N and Zn application doses. Increasing of dry matter amount and decreasing of Fe, Cu and Mn contents of maize plant appeared to be significant at the level of 1%, statistically.

Effect of Zinc Application on Cadmium Uptake of Maize Grown in Zinc Deficient Soil

Effect of Zinc Application on Cadmium Uptake of Maize Grown in Zinc Deficient Soil

Effect of zinc fertilization on cadmium toxicity in durum and bread wheat grown in zinc-deficient soil

The effect of increasing application of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on shoot dry weight and shoot concentrations of Zn and Cd was studied in bread and durum wheat cultivars. Plants were grown in severely Zn-deficient calcareous soil treated with increasing Zn (0 and 10 mg kg −1 soil) and Cd (0, 10 and 25 mg kg −1 soil) and harvested after 35 and 65 days of growth under greenhouse conditions. Growing plants without Zn fertilization caused severe depression in shoot growth, especially in durum wheat and at high Cd treatment. Cadmium treatments resulted in rapid development of necrotic patches on the base and sheath parts of the oldest leaves of both wheat cultivars, but symptoms were more severe in durum wheat and under Zn deficiency. Decreases in shoot dry weight from increasing Cd application were more severe in Zn-deficient plants. Severity of Cd toxicity symptoms in durum and bread wheat at different Zn treatments did not show any relation to the Cd concentrations in shoot. Increasing Cd application to Zn-deficient plants tended to decrease Zn concentrations in Zn-deficient plants, whereas in plants with adequate Zn, concentrations of Zn were either not affected or increased by Cd. The results show that durum wheat was more sensitive to both Zn deficiency and Cd toxicity as compared to bread wheat. Cadmium toxicity in the shoot was alleviated by Zn treatment, but this was not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in shoot concentrations of Cd. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that Zn protects plants from Cd toxicity by improving plant defense against Cd-induced oxidative stress and by competing with Cd for binding to critical cell constituents such as enzymes and membrane protein and lipids.

A Single Dominant Gene Controlling Resistance to Soil Zinc Deficiency in Common Bean

Cultivated soils often are either deficient or possess toxic concentrations of one or more mineral elements that adversely affect emergence, growth, maturity, production potential, and/or nutritional quality of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Our objective was to study the inheritance of resistance to soil Zn deficiency. The resistant ‘Matterhorn’ was crossed with the susceptible ‘T-39’. The F1 was backcrossed to Matterhorn (BC1) and T-39 (BC2), and advanced to the F2 The two parents, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2 were evaluated in a Zn deficient field trial at Kimberly, Idaho in 2001. Plants were classified as tall-healthy or stunted with chlorotic leaves. Leaves were sampled from the two types of plants at flowering and analyzed for Zn concentration. The tall plants had an average leaf Zn concentration of 22.5 mg kg−1 In contrast, stunted plants had a Zn concentration of 15.0 mg kg−1 All F1 plants were tall resembling Matterhorn, except that unlike Matterhorn (white flowers and seeds) they had purple flowers and black shiny seeds. Thus, the resistance to Zn deficiency was dominant. A segregation of 45 resistant (R) to 20 susceptible (S) plants was observed in the F2, giving a good fit to 3 R:1 S (χ2 = 1.1538, P = 0.28). All plants in BC1 were resistant. In BC2, 142 R and 139 S plants were observed, giving a ratio of 1 R to 1 S (χ2 = 0.032, P = 0.86). This supports a single dominant gene controlling soil Zn deficiency resistance. The symbol Znd is proposed for the dominant allele controlling resistance to soil Zn deficiency, and znd for its susceptible counterpart.

Response of field-grown barley cultivars grown on zinc-deficient soil to zinc application

Field experiments were carried out to study the response of barley varieties (Hordeum vulgare L. cvs. Tokak-157/137, Erginel-90, Obruk-86, Bülbül-89, Cumhuriyet-50, and Kiral-97) to increasing applications of zinc (Zn) (Control, 9, 18, and 27 kg Zn ha− 1) in Zn-deficient calcareous soils (DTPA-Zn = 0.26 mg kg− 1 soil). Relative increases in grain yield as a result of Zn applications over control ranged from 16% to 29% in the 1994–95 and 1995–96 growing seasons, respectively. However, all Zn doses were placed in the same yield group. In the control plants, Zn concentrations of the leaves and grains were 10.55 mg kg− 1 and 9.95 mg kg− 1, respectively, as the mean of all varieties. These Zn concentrations were below the critical Zn concentration which was reported as 10–15 mg kg− 1. Zinc concentrations of the leaves and grains were increased by Zn fertilization and relative increases were 185% (30.05 mg kg− 1) and 122% (20.00 mg kg− 1), respectively. In spite of variety x zinc, interaction was not significant, “Erginel-90” “Kiral-97” and “Cumhuriyet-50” varieties showed the highest grain yield increases by Zn application over the control. Thus, these varieties were determined as more susceptible varieties to Zn deficiency. Also, the yield components showed marked increases as a result of Zn application. Relative increases in plant height, grain number per spike, spike number per square meter with Zn application over the control were 28%, 31%, and 35% in 1994–95 and 20%, 22%, and 18% in 1995–96, respectively. The results showed that Zn deficiency is a critical nutritional problem limiting barley production in the Konya Province of Central Anatolia. The results also showed that Zn concentrations in leaves and grains were below the critical Zn concentration, and significant increases in grain yield, Zn concentration of leaves and grains and some yield components as a result of Zn application were found.

Zinc requirement of green gram (Vigna radiata)wheat (Triticum aestivum) crop sequence in alluvial soil

A field experiment was conducted during 200810 at Bichpuri, Agra on a zinc-deficient soil, to assess the direct and residual effect of different levels of applied Zn on yield of green gram [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and wheat [ Tr iticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] and uptake of nutrients by the crops and soil fertility under greengramwheat crop sequence. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 5 levels of zinc (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 kg/ha) with 4 replications. An application of 5 kg Zn/ha to greengram recorded significantly highest plant height (53.5 cm), pods/plant (35.8), seeds/pod (12.8) and 1,000-grain weight (32.04 g). Zinc fertiliza- tion in preceding greengram crop at 7.5 kg was found to be best for growth and yield attributes of wheat. Green gram crop responded significantly up to 5 kg Zn/ha by producing 1,052 kg grain and 1,816 kg straw/ha. The re- sidual effect in wheat crop was significant at 7.5 kg Zn/ha and grain and straw yield increments were to the extent of 15.3 and 12.4% respectively. The content and yield of protein in both the crops increased significantly with an increase level of zinc. The uptake of Zn by both the crops increased significantly by increasing levels of zinc. A phenomenal increase in N and K uptake, except of P and S, was recorded in greengram and wheat crop due to in- creasing levels of zinc up to 5 and 7.5 kg/ha respectively. DTPA-extractable Zn was reduced in the control plot har- vesting of wheat. At higher levels of Zn, sufficient DTPA-extractable Zn (0.80 mg/kg) remained in the soil after growing 2 crops and further crops could be taken without the application of Zn. The values of efficiency indices de- creased with the increase in levels of zinc. Net returns and benefit: cost ratio were the highest with 5 kg Zn/ha in the greengram-wheat crop sequence.

Effect of seed zinc content on early growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under low and adequate soil zinc supply

Worldwide, barley is often grown on zinc (Zn) deficient soils. Screening for varieties tolerant of low soil Zn (Zn-efficient varieties) generally involves assessing growth or yield of plants grown at different levels of Zn supply. Seed nutrient reserves can influence the growth of the plant; however, there have been no reports on the effect of seed Zn content on the growth of barley. In 2 experiments, we studied the effect of seed Zn content on early growth of barley in 2 genotypes, Amagi Nijo and Tantangara. In Expt 1, the amounts of Zn in the seed ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 µg/seed, whereas in Expt 2, seed Zn ranged from 0.7 to 5.0 µg/seed. The plants were grown in a Zn-deficient siliceous sand with Zn added at 0, 0.04, 0.2, 0.8, and 3.2 mg Zn/kg soil in Expt 1 and at 0, 0.04, and 0.8 mg Zn/kg soil in Expt 2, and harvested at tillering. Growth and expression of visual symptoms were measured. Plants grown from seed with low Zn content developed symptoms of Zn deficiency by the 2-leaf stage in soil with no soil-applied Zn. Symptoms were reduced markedly as seed Zn content increased. Shoot and root growth increased as the amount of Zn in seed increased, but the effect was most evident when soil Zn supply was limiting plant growth (≤0.04 mg Zn/kg soil). For instance, when no Zn was added to the soil, shoot dry weight of plants grown from high-Zn seed was 108% greater than that of plants grown from low-Zn seed, whereas at 0.04 and 0.8 mg Zn/kg soil, the increases were only 52% and 18%, respectively. Soil Zn application significantly increased tissue Zn concentrations. However, the effect of seed Zn content on tissue Zn concentrations was significant only at very high levels of seed Zn. The results presented showed that seed Zn improves vegetative growth in barley, especially when Zn supply is deficient for plant growth. Seed Zn content also affected the determination of Zn efficiency of genotypes, and comparisons of dry matter production of seedlings grown from seed with a wide range in Zn content may alter their rankings for Zn efficiency as determined in this pot assay. The results indicate that seed of similar Zn content needs to be used when comparing genotypes for determination of Zn efficiency.

The effect of rye genetic information on zinc, copper, manganese and iron concentration of wheat shoots in zinc deficient soil

Experiments were conducted to study the genetic variability of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu concentration in the shoot of wheat and other cereals. Cultivars of rye showed higher Zn efficiency than the wheats. There was a considerable variability for the four elements between rye and wheat varieties. By utilisation of disomic wheat-rye addition lines it could be demonstrated that the rye chromosomes 2R and 7R may improve the Mn and Fe concentrations of wheat, chromosome 1R the Zn and 5R the Cu, respectively. Even in a particular 4B/5R wheat-rye translocation line the Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations were significantly modified from 5.8 to 6.7, 92 to 171 and 123 to 236 ug/g DW, respectively. Both wheat and rye positively respond to Zn supply in Zn concentration of shoots, although the effect in rye is less pronounced. The average increases in Zn concentration in wheat and rye reached 851 % and 689 %, respectively, and correlated with a subsequent decrease of Cu>Fe>Mn. Among the wheats there were remarkable differences in the uptake of Zn additionally applied. The English variety ‘Avalon’ showed the best Zn utilisation.

Seed zinc content influences early vegetative growth and zinc uptake in oilseed rape (Brassica napus and Brassica juncea) genotypes on zinc-deficient soil

Low-Zn seed (around 80 ng Zn per seed) and high-Zn seed (around 160 ng Zn per seed) of Zhongyou 821 (a traditional Brassica napus genotype from China found to be Zn-inefficient in our previous experiments), Narendra (Zn-efficient B. napus genotype from Australia) and CSIRO-1 (a Zn-efficient B. juncea genotype from Australia) oilseed rape genotypes were sown in pots containing Zn-deficient siliceous sand fertilized with low Zn supply (0.05 mg Zn kg−1 soil) or high Zn supply (2.0 mg Zn kg−1 soil) in a controlled environment. After six weeks, plants derived from the high-Zn seed had better seedling vigour, increased root and shoot growth, more leaf area and chlorophyll concentration in fresh leaf, and higher Zn uptake in shoot compared to those from low-Zn seed at low Zn supply; the impact of high-Zn seed was more marked in Zhongyou 821 compared with CSIRO-1 and Narendra. The influence of high-Zn seed was dissipated at high Zn supply. CSIRO-1 was superior in terms of shoot dry matter production and Zn uptake in shoots at low Zn supply. The results demonstrate that although oilseed rape has very small seeds (about 3 mg per seed weight) compared with wheat (30 mg per seed weight), Zn reserves present in this very small seed still have a strong impact on early vegetative growth as well as on Zn uptake of plants in Zn-deficient soils. The results suggest that sowing high-Zn seed coupled with growing Zn-efficient genotypes may help in sustaining the production of oilseed rape in Zn-deficient soils, and this has implications for improved seed technology.

Relationship between soil zinc, dietary zinc and zinc nutritional status of humans.

The effect of consumption of the staple food grown in soil zinc deficient area on zinc nutritional status of human beings was investigated. One village each from an area which has been classified under >75%, 25-50% and 50-75% soil zinc deficiency was selected for the study from Andhra Pradesh. Thirty families from each village were selected and the zinc content of soil, rice (grown in that soil) and serum (of people consuming the same rice) of the selected subjects was estimated. Food and nutrient intake of the respondents were calculated by using diet survey. Heights and weights of children of selected families were taken to assess the relationship between soil zinc levels and growth. Results show that the soil zinc deficiency has an impact on the zinc levels of rice grown in the same soil. However, serum zinc levels of adults and growth of children seem to be influenced by protein content and source of protein in the diet in addition to zinc levels of the diet.

Influence of soil factors and cultural practice on biological control of sheath blight of rice with antagonistic bacteria

Fluorescent and nonfluorescent strains of bacteria isolated from rice rhizospheres on the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) farm were evaluated for in vitro antibiosis towards the sheath blight (ShB) pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, and for suppression of ShB in detached rice leaves. Efficient strains were located on the basis of consistent performance in two laboratory tests. Among nine efficient strains, 3 strains were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, 5 strains were tentatively identified as Bacillus spp. and one strain was identified as Enterobacter. In three greenhouse tests lowland rice soils with optimum pH for rice growth (pH 5.5–6.5), acidic pH (pH 5.0) and boron toxicity were found more suitable for biological control of ShB and, less frequently, also yield increases than were alkaline (pH 6.9) and zinc-deficient soils. Bacterial treatments afforded significant ShB reductions in 3 field experiments, but no significant yield increases resulted. In direct-seeded rice best performances by bacterial treatments in terms of ShB suppression were 66 and 98% during DS 1988 and WS 1988, respectively, which were comparable to or better than the performance of validamycin (a fungicide routinely used for ShB control) which afforded 42 and 63% disease suppression, respectively, in the same experiments. Although bacterial treatments caused ShB reductions both in direct-seeded and transplanted rice crops, disease control was more pronounced in direct-seeded than in transplanted crops. These results indicate that carefully selected strains of bacterial antagonists have the potential for ShB suppression in rice at least in areas where direct-seeding is practised.

The effect of zinc fertilizer on take-all and the grain yield of wheat grown on zinc-deficient soils of the Esperance region, Western Australia

Wheat plants were grown in field experiments with five levels of zinc (Zn) fertilizer applied to plots in 1983. The plots were continuously cropped with wheat to allow the build up ofGaeumannomyces graminis var.tritici (Ggt). For experiments 1 and 2, there were high levels of Ggt in the second and third years while for experiment 3 there were high levels of Ggt incidence in the third and fourth year of continuous cropping. The Zn status of the wheat plants, grain yield, and the incidence and severity of take-all were measured for every experiment each year. The Zn-deficient wheat plants were more severely infected by Ggt. However, increasing the Zn supply beyond that required for maximum grain yield had no further effects on decreasing the severity of take-all. The Zn concentration in the youngest emerged blade (YEB) suggested that the Zn status of the wheat plant ranged from severely Zn-deficient through marginal deficiency to sufficiency. The Zn-deficient wheat plant was more susceptible to Ggt infection than Zn-adequate plants. The severity of take-all in the final year was still high in Zn-adequate plants, suggesting high levels of applied Zn (11.2 kg Zn/ha in 1983) had no fungistatic effect on Ggt.