Exploring the influence of water stress on iron and zinc accumulation in foxtail millet (<i>Setaria italica</i> L.) genotypes

Foxtail millet is a climate resilient crop rich in nutrients. However, the adverse conditions can affect the nutritional composition of the grains. The present study aimed to study the effect of drought on iron and zinc content of thirty foxtail millet [(Setaria italica (L.)] genotypes. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design under normal and drought conditions. The grain iron and zinc content were determined for both conditions. The result showed significant variation in iron concentration ranging from 21.32 to 61.19 ppm under normal condition, while zinc content ranged from 21.51 to 35.37 ppm. The highest iron and zinc content was found in the genotype IIMRFXM-11 (61.19 ppm) and STFO-7 (35.37 ppm), while the lowest was found in genotype GPUF-16 (21.32 ppm) and SiA3156 (21.51 ppm), respectively. Under drought condition iron content ranged from 19.62 ppm to 59.49 ppm, whereas zinc content ranged from 20.12 ppm to 33.97 ppm. The highest iron and zinc content was found in genotype IIMRFXM-11 (59.49 ppm) and STFO-6 (33.97 ppm), while the lowest was found in genotype GPUF-16 (19.62 ppm) and SiA3156 (20.11 ppm), respectively. The grain iron and zinc content variation may be due to genetic differences that influence plant nutrient uptake, transport, and storage mechanisms. An overall iron and zinc concentration decrease was observed under drought conditions for all the genotypes except IIMRFXM-11 and R. KAUNI-1. The experiments concluded a reduction in grain iron and zinc accumulation in foxtail millets subjected to water stress.