| Abstract: | A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of zinc (Zn) on biofortification of 10 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties in the Zn-deficient soil of Lucknow. Treatments consisted of 0 and 20 mg Zn kg?1 as a basal dose and 20 mg Zn kg?1 basal dose with two foliar sprays of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) 0.5%. Foliar sprays of Zn were applied twice at the preflowering stage and 7 days after flowering. Results from the present study revealed that poor growth of plants grown in soil without Zn applications (0 mg Zn kg?1) were improved by applications of Zn (20 mg Zn kg?1) more when Zn was applied with two foliar sprays. Application of Zn (20 mg Zn kg?1) with two foliar sprays also proved beneficial for maximizing Zn concentrations of grains and other plant parts. Wheat varieties NW 1076, K 3827, NW 2036, and UP 262 appeared highly responsive to the treatments. |
