The effectiveness of seed priming and foliar application of zinc- amino acid chelates in comparison with zinc sulfate on yield and grain nutritional quality of common bean

Abstract

The efficacy of seed priming and foliar application of zinc-amino acid chelates including zinc-histidine [Zn(His)₂] and zinc-methionine [Zn(Met)₂] in comparison with zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) on yield and grain nutritional quality of two common bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cvs Talash and Sadri) was investigated in a severely Zn-deficient calcareous soil (DTPA-Zn: 0.38?mg kg^?1 soil) in a pot experiment. Bean response to Zn application varied depending on the Zn fertilizer, application method and cultivar. In ‘Talash’, seed priming with [Zn(His)₂] and [Zn(Met)₂] led to 24.1 and 11.6% increase in the grain yield of bean in comparison with ZnSO₄ treatment, respectively. In both cultivars, foliar application of [Zn(His)₂] led to significant increase in the grain yield in comparison with ZnSO₄. The highest grain Zn concentration was obtained by seed priming with [Zn(Met)₂] in ‘Sadri’ and [Zn(His)₂] in ‘Talash’, respectively. For Zn-amino acid chelates, seed priming was more effective than foliar application in increasing grain yield and Zn concentration. Foliar application of [Zn(His)₂] and [Zn(Met)₂] in ‘Sadri’ and [Zn(Met)₂] in ‘Talash’ resulted in higher protein content in bean grain as compared with ZnSO₄. In both cultivars, foliar application of [Zn(Met)₂] was the more effective than seed priming to increase grain protein content. The highest water-soluble carbohydrates concentration of grain was obtained by seed priming with [Zn(Met)₂] and [Zn(His)₂] in ‘Sadri’ and ‘Talash’ cultivars, respectively. Therefore, seed priming with [Zn(His)₂] and ZnSO₄ in ‘Sadri’ and [Zn(Met)₂] in ‘Talash’ can effectively be used for improving yield of common bean in Zn-deficient calcareous soils.     

Effects of foliar applied zinc in the form of ZnSO4 and Zn-amino acid complexes on pistachio nut yield and quality

Abstract

Despite the importance of Zn nutrition, little information is available on the effectiveness of foliar Zn application, in general, and Zn-amino acid complexes in particular on pistachio nut yield and quality. Response of pistachio (Pistachio vera L. cv. Akbari) to foliar application of zinc (Zn) in the form of mineral (ZnSO₄) and complexed with methionine (ZnMet), lysine (ZnLys), and lysine plus methionine (ZnLysMet) was investigated. Lysine alone treatment was used to distinguish the effects of accompanying Lys. A control treatment with no amino acids and Zn was also used. The critical deficiency concentration of Zn in the leaf to achieve the highest 100-kernel mass was 37.6?mg kg^?1. Foliar application of Zn significantly increased leaf Zn concentration in comparison with control. In both years, foliar supply of Zn in the form of complexed with amino acids resulted in a significant increase of total nut yield, fresh mass of 100-nut, and spilled nuts. A significant decrease in the empty nuts was also observed by Zn application. The effectiveness of ZnMet in improving yield and quality attributes of pistachio was in general, higher than the other Zn sources.     

Potential of zinc seed treatment in improving stand establishment,phenology, yield and grain biofortification of wheat

Abstract

One of the problems in obtaining high wheat yield is the unavailability of micronutrients in balanced quantities. Zinc is an essential micronutrient due to its involvement in many metabolic processes in plant. In this experiment, seeds of two wheat cultivars (Faisalabad-2008 and Lasani-2008) were subjected to soak in aerated Zn solution of 0.1 and 0.01?M for 12?hr. For the seed coating, Zn was adhered to the wheat seeds by using Arabic gum by using zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) as a source. Untreated dry seeds were considered as a control. Results indicated that field emergence was improved by Zn seed treatments, maximum numbers of seedlings were observed in seed priming with 0.01?M Zn solution. Seed osmoprimed with 0.01?M Zn solution improved the grain yield, biological yield, and other yield related traits. Grain and straw Zn enrichment were also enhanced in seed osmoprimed with 0.01?M Zn solution.     

Amino acid content and composition of winter wheat affected by Nitrogen Fertilization

The protein quality of wheat is closely correlated with its amino composition. Consequently, when conducting a N fertilization experiment, it is important to know how the ratio of essential amino acids determining the nutritional quality, especially that of the most important limiting amino acids of wheat within the increased protein content, works out. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer applied at different times and/or doses (0–200 kg/ha) was investigated on grain protein and amino acid contents and yields of a Hungarian bread wheat variety on a soil type of medium ? status (eutric cambisol) in Western Hungary for three years. 160 kg N/ha was necessary to reach the highest possible crude protein content and the split application of this dose proved to be the most beneficial to the crude protein yield on the three years’ average. Though most of the treatments seemed to be disadvantageous from the point of view of amino acid composition considering the nutritional quality, the amount of essential amino acids, especially that of lysine harvested per hectare showed a considerable increase (up to 28.4%).     

Effect of tillage systems and polyacrylamide on soil physical properties and wheat grain yield in arid regions differing in fine soil particles

A field study was performed for two consecutive seasons to evaluate the effect of polyacrylamide (PAM), tillage systems and particle size on soil physical properties and wheat grain yield. The PAM rates were 0, 10 and 20 kg ha^?1 while the tillage treatments included no-tillage (NT), moldboard plowing (CT1), and chisel plowing (CT2). Soil fine particles size of two locations were A (25.2 silt + clay) and B (38.5 silt + clay). Location B reported higher organic matter and total porosity while lower in bulk density. The CT1 and NT treatments denoted better soil organic matter percentage. The CT1 presented maximum infiltration rate compared to other tillage systems. No tillage showed better soil water contents while the minimum was in CT1 of location A and CT2 of location B. Increasing the PAM rate increased total porosity, infiltration rate and soil water content while decreased soil bulk density. Possibly, the presence of compacted layer in location A hindered the effect of PAM. At location B, the CT2 with PAM of 20 kg ha^?1 had the highest grain yield compared to other tillage systems. The PAM is beneficial for soil and water conservation and can be used in agriculture.     

The impact of phytohormone concentration in Moringa oleifera leaf extract on wheat yield and components of yield

Abstract

Trials with Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) sprayed on leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) showed different outcomes in grain yield and the components of yield (biomass at anthesis, number of ears, number of tillers, grain weight, 1000 seed weight). An irrigated field trial testing different MLE concentrations resulted in an increase in grain yield of 19% with a 10% concentration but not significant yield increases for higher concentrations of MLE. Dryland field trials with MLE concentrations at 5% and 10% showed no effects or more moderate (about 5–10%) increases in grain yield, depending on the year and location of study. The differences in grain yield responses are most likely due to changes in phytohormone concentration in MLEs brought on by abiotic stress (moisture deficit and seasonal change) of the moringa tree before the collection of the leaves. Concentrations of gibberellins, auxin, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid in MLEs differ markedly due to plants subjected to abiotic stresses. Comparing chemical analysis of MLE with grain yield effects showed that GA4 – most likely in crosstalk with auxin – is the major growth enhancer. It is concluded that the hormonal concentrations of MLEs strongly varies on a yearly basis, which may affect the potential use of this bio-stimulant in agriculture.     

Amino acid composition of ryegrass in relation to nitrogen fertilization and soil water status

In a lysimeter experiment the overall amino acid concentration in dry matter of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) increased in response to nitrogen application. Lack of water reduced the overall concentration of most amino acids in dry matter except proline the concentration of which was increased. Nitrogen application as well as lack of water significantly affected the overall amino acid composition, and in particular the relative concentration of glutamic acid and proline, respectively, which might be attributed to variations in the free amino acid composition, and resulting in a decreasing overall ratio essential/not essential amino acids.     

Total Protein and Amino acid Compositions in the Acorns of Turkish Quercus L. Taxa

Total protein content and level of 14 amino acid in mature acorns of 20 Quercus taxa from Turkey were studied. The range of total protein amounts between 2.75 and 8.44% were detected among taxa. Similar values in related species and variety level were observed. The amino acid profiles for each taxon were characteristically different and high variability of individual amino acid concentration was present at variety, subspecies and species levels. Different amino acid concentrations, relative percentages and critical values of some amino acids are thought to be additional considerable parameters for diagnosis of Quercus. Generally higher total quantity of amino acids in section Quercus and lower values in section Ilex were observed. When the essential and non-essential amino acids are expressed as a relative percent of total protein indicating quality of proteins, the ratios varied significantly among taxa (p < 0.05). But, no significant difference at section level were detected. Major amino acids were aspartic acid and glutamic acid showing the largest variations and the lowest levels were detected for methionine. Amino acid concentrations ranged from 1665 for aspartic acid to 13 mg/100 g dry wt. for methionine. All taxa had relatively higher amounts of leucin, lysin and valine than other essential amino acids. The highest quantity of protein and amino acids was recorded for Q. infectoria ssp. boissieri and the lowest for Q. pontica. The level of all essential amino acids in examined taxa was not sufficient compared to FAO scoring pattern for children (1985). But, threonine and valine in Q. infectoria ssp. boissieri and isoleucine in Q. petraea ssp. iberica show remarkable concentrations to the requirements. All examined essential amino acids among taxa generally provide adequate levels for adults according to FAO standard.     

The effects of foliar applied potassium in the mineral form and complexed with amino acids on pistachio nut yield and quality

A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar-applied K in the form of mineral compound (K₂SO₄) and complexed with lysine (KL) and lysine plus methionine (KLMet) with or without ascorbic acid (A) on nut yield and quality of bearing pistachio (Pistachio vera L. cv. Owhadi). Results showed that foliar application of K, regardless of applied source, significantly increased leaf and nut K concentration in comparison with control. In both experimental years, the trees supplemented with K provided higher total yield, fresh and dry mass of shelled and unshelled 100-nut, and 100-kernel dry mass and lower percentage of non-split shells in comparison with those un-supplemented with K. In both years, foliar application of K significantly decreased the percentages of blank nuts. The effectiveness of K-amino chelates in improving nut yield and quality was, in general, higher than that of K₂SO₄. The highest yield and the best nut quality was obtained with foliar application of KLMet-1. The critical leaf and nut K concentration for optimum pistachio nut yield and quality was 2.27 and 1.87%, respectively. Foliar application of K particularly in the form of KLMet-1 during nut filling is recommended to obtain optimum yield and quality of pistachio.