PJB-2018-618
Potassium enhanced grain zinc accumulation in wheat grown on a calcareous saline-sodic soil
Shahid Hussain, Muhammad Adeel Aftab Shah, Ali Muhammad Khan, Faraz Ahmad and Mubshar Hussain
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) dense wheat grains are required for malnourished populations groups. Nutrient and water imbalances under calcareous saline-sodic soils decrease mineral accumulation in wheat grains. On such soils, the influence of soil potassium (K) application was studied on the accumulation of native soil and foliar-applied minerals (Zn, Fe,) in wheat grains. To field-grown wheat, two K rates were applied (0 or 35 kg ha−1) at sowing in combination with four levels of foliar micronutrient sprays (control, 2×0.25% Zn w/v, 2×0.25% Fe w/v or combined Zn + Fe) at anthesis. Zinc and Fe were increased with respective micronutrient sprays. Potassium application increased grain yield, grain concentration of K and Zn in the grain. Grain Zn concentration was maximum (33 mg Zn kg−1) with combined soil-applied K + foliar-applied Zn. As compared to respective foliar treatments in plots not supplied with K, grain Fe concentration was increased with soil K application in plots sprayed with Zn alone. Conclusively, optimum soil K supply increased accumulation of native soil and foliar-applied Zn in wheat grains.
To Cite this article:
Hussain, S., M.A.A. Shah, A.M. Khan, F. Ahmad and M. Hussain. 2020. Potassium enhanced grain zinc accumulation in wheat grown on a calcareous saline-sodic soil. Pak. J. Bot., 52(1): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2020-1(40)
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