Zinc mediated enhancement of key enzyme activities in leaves and protein content of wheat grain

Abstract Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a widespread problem in agricultural soils all over the globe. As an essential element, Zn plays a decisive role in realization of high yields of wheat, the changes in activities of Zn dependent enzymes and its accumulation in various plant parts of wheat varieties of differential susceptibility. The aim of the study was to examine the activities of Zn dependent enzymes, i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), carbonic anhydrase (CA); chlorophyll and grain protein content and to evaluate the pattern of Zn transport in two wheat varieties (UP2628-Zn efficient and UP262-Zn inefficient). All these parameters were evaluated in a pot experiment under different modes of Zn applications viz ., control (C), soil application (S), foliar application (F), soil+foliar application (S+F). The accumulation of Zn in different plant parts of both wheat varieties under different Zn supply regimes was monitored in a separate autoradiography experiment where radiolabelled Zn was used. An increased activity of SOD, CA and total chlorophyll content in leaves, high protein content in grains and 65 Zn accumulation was observed under S+F mode of Zn application. Zinc efficient variety (UP2628) showed higher SOD, CA activities, chlorophyll content in leaves and grain protein content as compared to UP262. Both soil application + foliar spray of Zn and cultivation of Zn efficient variety (UP2628) can be best approach for Zn biofortification of wheat.