Comparative Study of Zinc Fertilization in Two Wheat (triticum aestivum l.) Cultivars

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Minia University

Abstract

Zinc is an essential micronutrient whose deficiency is widespread in cultivated soils and affects the growth and productivity of many crops. The biofortification of highly consumed crops, including wheat, is a hopeful trend to enhance plants productivity and even human health, particularly in developing countries where diet is mainly dependent on grains. Different cultivars have different responses to metal treatment; therefore, it is crucial to select the suitable cultivar for each cultivation conditions. In the current study, two wheat cultivars, Sakha 94 and Gemmyza 10, were studied for their growth under different concentrations of Zn (2, 5, 10 and 25 mM) added to the soil. The experimented plants were assessed for a number of growth criteria (lengths, fresh weights, dry weights and water contents for both shoots and roots) and the contents of a number of minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na and Zn). Zinc translocation factor, Zn accumulation in roots, shoots and total plants and Zn distribution in roots of the tested plants were estimated. The contents of soluble carbohydrates and proteins in roots and shoots were measured. The results revealed that cultivar Gemmyza 10 showed better growth under high Zn concentrations with general enhancement in plants physiological status and equal distribution of the absorbed Zn between roots and shoots. The other cultivar was superior in growing under control conditions while Zn treatment caused suppressed growth and disturbance in physiological parameters with localization of the absorbed Zn in roots rather than shoots. These results confirm the differential responses of different cultivars to Zn treatment and suggest Zn fertilization of cultivar Gemmyza 10, particularly by the 10 mM Zn concentration, for improvement of growth and physiology. Cultivar Sakha 94, on the other hand, is suitable for cultivation in low-Zn soils as its growth is suppressed by elevating Zn levels. 
 

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