Response of elite biofortified wheat genotypes for grain zinc and iron concentration with and without zinc application

Malnutrition is a serious health concern worldwide prevalent among the children and women in the developing nations. Biofortification of the staple food crops can improve the daily dietary intake of micronutrients particularly zinc and iron. Development of biofortified wheat varieties with increased grain zinc and iron concentration is being undertaken at national and international progarmme. In the present study, elite biofortified wheat genotypes of 9th HPYT (Harvest Plus Yield Trial) and 10th HPYT were evaluated during 2018–2019; 2019–2020, respectively. Promising genotypes of 9th and 10th HPYTs were evaluated with and without application of zinc sulphate @ 25 kg per ha into the soil. Significant genetic variation was recorded for grain yield, grain zinc, days to heading and thousand kernel weights. In the 9th HPYT, grain zinc concentration varied from 20.8 to 34.2 mg/kg while grain iron concentration varied from 27.1 to 37.2 mg/kg. In the 10th HPYT, grain zinc concentration varied from 16.8 to 36.8 mg/kg and the grain iron concentration varied from 31.62 to 35.3 mg/kg. A positive association of grain zinc and iron concentration was recorded. The association was stronger with the application of zinc sulphate. Zinc sulphate application improves average grain zinc concentration from 28.05 to 35.53 mg/kg. Relative increase in gran zinc concentration of biofortified genotypes (12.91 mg/kg) was higher than non-biofortified (4.66 mg/kg) with application of zinc sulphate, suggesting higher capacity of accumulating grain zinc the biofortified genotypes.