Variability in Response to Zinc Application in 10 High-Yielding Wheat Varieties.

A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of zinc (Zn) on biofortification of 10 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties in the Zn-deficient soil of Lucknow. Treatments consisted of 0 and 20 mg Zn kg−1 as a basal dose and 20 mg Zn kg−1 basal dose with two foliar sprays of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) 0.5%. Foliar sprays of Zn were applied twice at the preflowering stage and 7 days after flowering. Results from the present study revealed that poor growth of plants grown in soil without Zn applications (0 mg Zn kg−1) were improved by applications of Zn (20 mg Zn kg−1) more when Zn was applied with two foliar sprays. Application of Zn (20 mg Zn kg−1) with two foliar sprays also proved beneficial for maximizing Zn concentrations of grains and other plant parts. Wheat varieties NW 1076, K 3827, NW 2036, and UP 262 appeared highly responsive to the treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]