Biofortification of maize with zinc and iron not only enhances crop growthbut also improves grain quality
Zunaira Anwar, Zyma Basharat, Muhammad Bilal Hafeez, Shahbaz Khan, Noreen Zahra, Zayrah Rafique, Muhammad Maqsood, Z Abdullah, M Khan, T Flowers, K Ahmed, G Qadir, A Jami, M Nawaz, A Rehim, K Jabran, M Hussain, Shm Aikins, J Afuakwa, M Amin, J Muhammad, T Muhammad, R Masood, A Javaid, H Muhammad, S Zahir, S Amini, H Ghadiri, Chen Marschner, P, M Ashraf, S Muhammad, A Manzoor, Y Muhammad, M Azhar, M Iqbal, M Khan, M Ashraf, V Balasubramanian, J Ladha, R Gupta, R Naresh, R Mehla, S Bijay, S Yadvinder, M Birkas, M Jolankai, I Kisic, B Stipesevic, Zunaira Anwar, E Castillo, T Tuong, A Ismail, K Inubushi, B Chauhan, Gill Preston, C, S Cha-Umi, K Supaibulwattana, C Kirdmanee, B Coats, O Dikinya, C Hinz, G Aylmore, A Eynard, R Lal, K Wiebe, A Farshid, E Hassan, S Fukai, M Ouk, R Gopal, R Jat, R Malik, V Kumar, M Alam, M Jat, M Mazid, Y Saharawat, A Mcdonald, R Gupta, Y Guo, J Huang, Z Shi, H Li, M Hamza, Anderson, S Hayashi, A Kamoshita, J Yamagishi, A Kotchasatit, B Jongdee, Tml Hoang, T Tran, Tkt Nguyen, B Williams, P Wrum, S Bellairs, S Mundree, J Jabro
Abstract
Hidden hunger is an emerging challenge for scientists, especially connected to the agriculture sector because over two billion people are facing it globally. This issue is more common in developing countries which have less access to a diverse diet due to their low income. Different potential practices are introduced to minimize the pressure of malnutrition but agronomic biofortification is being considered best practice to improve the contents of micronutrient in grains. A field based study was executed to explore the impact of zinc sulphate (ZnSO 4 ) and iron sulphate (FeSO 4 ) on productivity and grain quality of maize crop. Sole and combined application of ZnSO 4 and FeSO 4 either via soil or/and plant foliage not only enhanced the yield attributes of maize crop but grain quality was also improved. Soil supplementation of ZnSO 4 (10 kg ha -1 ) produced maximum plant height and cob weight. Combined treatment of ZnSO 4 (10 kg ha -1 ) and FeSO 4 (12 kg ha -1 ) through soil produced more grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, biological and grain yields. Foliar applied 0.1% ZnSO 4 and 0.3% FeSO 4 produced highest chlorophyll contents. Foliar treatment of 0.1% ZnSO 4 and 0.3% FeSO 4 improved the concentration of zinc and iron in grains, respectively. Combined treatment of 10 kg ha -1 of ZnSO 4 and 12 kg ha -1 of FeSO 4 through soil improves the yield attributes while foliar spray of 0.1% ZnSO 4 and 0.3% FeSO 4 enhances quality parameters. Overall, foliar spray approach is more applicable regarding nutrients availability for optimum development and growth of crop and improved grain quality.