Enhancing zinc bio-fortification in wheat through agronomic interventions

Around half of the world’s agricultural soils, including sandy loam soils of Punjab region, are deficient in zinc (Zn), leading to decreased crop production and nutritional value. Balanced application of macro nutrients along with Zn bio-fortification enhances crop productivity and reduces the deterioration of soil health. This study investigates the effect of zinc sulphate monohydrate (ZnSO4.H2O) on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Var. PBW-343). The plants were subjected to the following treatments: T1 (control), T2 (100% recycling-derived fertilizers, RDF), T3 (100% RDF + 5 kg ZnSO4.H2O ha-1), T4 (100% RDF + 10 kg ZnSO4.H2O ha-1), T5 (100% RDF + 15 kg ZnSO4.H2O ha-1), T6 (100% RDF + 20 kg ZnSO4.H2O ha-1) and T7 (100% RDF + two spray of ZnSO4.H2O @ 0.5% at tillering and late jointing stages). The results revealed that the plant height, number of functional leaves per plant, number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, spike length, number of grains per spike, test weight, grain yield and straw yield are significant and found maximum in treatment T5; which was 100% RDF and 15 kg ZnSO4.H2O ha-1.