Can foliar iron-containing solutions be a potential strategy to enrich iron concentration of rice grains (Oryza sativa L.)?

The available literature on whether or not foliar iron (Fe)-containing solutions can be one of the sustainable and low-cost strategies to increase Fe concentration in edible portions of staple food crops consisted of a few previous studies of Fe in plants, and mainly focused on Fe-deficiency remedies. Our experiment was carried out to examine the effects of foliar Fe-containing solutions on Fe enrichment and on the nutritional, cooking, and eating qualities of polished rice of the japonica 'Bing 98110' planted on a powdery loam soil under pot conditions. The results showed that Fe concentration in polished rice could be enriched with foliar Fe(II)-amino acids [the main formulation was the complex of 0.1% (w/v) FeSO4•7H2O and 0.4% (w/v) compound amino acids, 18.6% N] application. Compared with the control, Fe concentration increased significantly, by 88.0%. Meanwhile, the positive effects on Zn concentration and protein and amino acid content improvement were found with boric acid (H3BO3, B) added to Fe(II)-amino acids foliar application. In detail, Zn concentration significantly increased (19.6%), and protein and lysine were increased significantly by 30.1 and 35.1%, respectively. Also the cooking and eating qualities were improved with foliar Fe(II)-amino acids and B compound spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]