Sustainable Iron Enrichment in Wheat: Leveraging Fertilization and Microbial Solubilization for Higher Yield and Nutrient Density

Globally, micronutrient deficiencies in diets are widespread, posing a significant health concern for over 2 billion people. Addressing malnutrition has become a primary objective for agriculture due to the emphasis on productivity. Field experiments conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan, employed a factorial randomized block design to assess the impact of wheat genotypes (TRB-29-116 - Advance line, TRB-02-103 - Advance line, and Pirsabak-19 - approved variety), iron (Fe) application methods (no Fe application, seed priming with 0.5% Fe, soil application of 10 kg ha−1 Fe, and foliar application of 0.5% Fe), and the use of Iron-Solubilizing Bacteria (FeSB) (with bacteria and without bacteria) to combat Fe deficiency. The study revealed significant effects on wheat's Fe content, uptake, and grain yield, influenced by genotypic variance, Fe application approaches, and FeSB. The TRB-29-116 (Advance line) genotype, with 0.5% foliar Fe and FeSB, excelled, enhancing grain yield, grain and straw Fe content, and increasing grain, straw, and total Fe uptake in wheat. These findings prompt further discussion on optimizing agricultural practices. In conclusion, utilizing the TRB-29-116 (Advance line) genotype with 0.5% foliar Fe application and FeSB enhances wheat's Fe content, uptake, grain quality, and addresses malnutrition.