Effects of zinc application strategy on zinc content and productivity of chickpea grown under zinc deficient soils

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at three locations with Zn deficient soils in southern Ethiopia during 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to evaluate the effects of Zn fertilization strategies and varietal differences on Zn content and plant performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Factorial combinations of three Zn fertilization strategies and five varieties were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in each location and year. A combined analysis of variance was made using a mixed effects model. Zinc foliar application increased grain Zn content by 21 and 22% over Zn soil application and seed priming, respectively. The improvements were around four folds for straw Zn content for the same comparisons. Effects of Zn application strategies on gain and straw Zn contents were consistent across locations. The grain Zn concentration varied among the varieties ranging from 34 mg kg -1 for Mastewal to 42 mg kg -1 for the Landrace and variety Arerti. Zn application strategies did not affect the growth and yield parameters, except for pod bearing branches. FoliarZn application and appropriate variety selection are potential approaches for Zn biofortification in chickpea.Further study aimed at identifying most effective spray timing for maximum grain quality response would be worthwhile to cut fertilizer and application costs.

Exogenous Zinc Forms Counteract NaCl-Induced Damage by Regulating the Antioxidant System, Osmotic Adjustment Substances, and Ions in Canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Pactol) Plants

“…Low yield ascertained under salinity was probably due to the reduction of assimilating production, and the mobilization of photoassimilates resulted in a decrease in harvesting index (Jacob and Francis 2015), pollen viability, and stigmatic receptivity (Khatun and Flowers 1995). However, the present investigation effectively confirmed that zinc forms induced salt tolerance; these results were confirmed by Hidoto et al (2017); Mehrabani et al (2018). The favorable effect of zinc on yield in different plant species may be due to their effects on the increasing activity of carbonic anhydrase and inducing ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity that induced CO 2 assimilation and photosynthetic capacity; that is reflected in maximizing dry matter accumulation (Storey 2007;Singh et al 2019).…”

Characterizing Lentil Germplasm for Zinc Biofortification and High Grain Output

“…Zinc have an important role to activate various hormones like auxin that is needed for proper plant growth (Begum et al 2016). Previous studies also documented that Zn application had a positive effect on grain Zn concentration (Kaya et al 2009;Hidoto et al 2017;Bala et al 2019). In present study, the application of Zn significantly increased the grain Zn concentration in lentil genotypes.…”

“…Crop genotypes greatly differ in grain Zn contents as well as the phytate contents (Hussain et al 2011(Hussain et al , 2013. Zinc application and cultivars both influence the yield and nutritional status of crop (Hidoto et al 2017;Manaf et al 2019). However, screening of the existing lentil germplasm for higher grain Zn contents and low phytate contents is desirable.…”

Biofortification of Pulse Crops: Status and Future Perspectives

“…Shivay et al [111] observed a correlation between Zn uptake and the grain yield of chickpeas following foliar application of Zn, and reported that this approach was better than soil application. Similarly, Hidoto et al [112] evaluated the effects of three Zn fertilization strategies on five varieties of chickpeas and observed that foliar application was an effective method for Zn biofortification with a greater accumulation of Zn in grain compared to soil application and seed priming. Foliar application of Zn fertilizer for Zn biofortification was also reported in common beans [113][114][115] and field peas [102].…”