DefinePK

DefinePK hosts the largest index of Pakistani journals, research articles, news headlines, and videos. It also offers chapter-level book search.

Exogenous Application of Potassium and Zinc for the Growth, Yield and Agronomic Zinc Biofortification of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)


Article Information

Title: Exogenous Application of Potassium and Zinc for the Growth, Yield and Agronomic Zinc Biofortification of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Authors: Ghulam Murtaza, Muhammad Nadeem Shah, Muhammad Talha Saif, Muhammad Shaheryar, Qurat ul Ain, Muhammad Atif Yaseen, Hafiz Saqib Hayat, Shabir Hussain, Aamir Aziz, Momna Hayat, Muhammad Tanveer Altaf, Muhammad Wajahat Rasool, Muneera Abbas, Muhammad Shahbaz

Journal: Journal of Arable Crops and Marketing (JACM)

HEC Recognition History
Category From To
Y 2024-10-01 2025-12-31
Y 2023-07-01 2024-09-30
Y 2022-07-01 2023-06-30

Publisher: AgroTech Innovations (SMC-Private) Limited

Country: Pakistan

Year: 2023

Volume: 5

Issue: 2

Language: English

DOI: 10.33687/jacm.005.02.4797

Keywords: wheatYieldGrowthzincPotassiumfortification

Categories

Abstract

In agriculture, the application of micronutrient application takes place through soil application, foliar spraying, or added seed treatments. Potassium (K) application fulfills the deficiency of K in soil due to a continuous exhaustive cropping system. Zinc (Zn) bio-fortification of seed by priming is responsible for increasing the concentration of Zn in the edible part of a seed with the aim of remedying malnutrition.  For this, a field experiment was conducted at the Agronomic research area, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. Treatment included different rates of K (0, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha -1 ) and different rates of Zn (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6%). Potassium was applied in fertigation while zinc was applied in foliar form. The experiment was designed in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) and was repeated three times. It resulted that different rate of potassium and zinc application showed a significant effect on plant growth and yield attributes. Plant growth and yield increased with increasing the rate of potassium and zinc application and decreased with the decreasing the rate of application of potassium and zinc application. The maximum values for plant growth and yield attributes were observed with K 3 and Zn 3 while the minimum values were recorded with the application of K 0 and Zn 0 . Results regarding the nutrient uptakes showed that maximum values for zinc uptake were also recorded in seed and stem attributes. Maximum values for zinc uptake in seed and stem (37.2 and 14.5 mg/kg) were observed in the Zn 3 treatment and the minimum values for zinc uptake (30.1 and 11 mg/kg) were recorded Zn 0 treatment, respectively. It was concluded that 80 kg ha-1 application of potassium with 0.6 % foliar application of zinc significantly affects the growth and yield of wheat crops. Zinc foliar application can be helpful for zinc fortification. 


Research Objective

To investigate the effect of exogenous application of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) on the growth, yield, and agronomic zinc biofortification of wheat.


Methodology

A field experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments involved varying rates of potassium (0, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha⁻¹) applied via fertigation and zinc (0, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%) applied as a foliar spray. Standard agronomic practices were followed, and growth and yield attributes were measured.

Methodology Flowchart
                        graph TD
    A[Experiment Setup: RCBD, 3 Replications] --> B[Potassium Application: Fertigation at 0, 40, 60, 80 kg ha⁻¹]
    B --> C[Zinc Application: Foliar Spray at 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%]
    C --> D[Data Collection: Growth and Yield Attributes]
    D --> E[Data Analysis: Statistical Evaluation]
    E --> F[Conclusion: Optimal K and Zn rates for wheat]                    

Discussion

The findings align with previous research indicating that potassium and zinc play crucial roles in plant morphology and physiology, leading to improved growth and yield. The study supports the effectiveness of exogenous micronutrient application for enhancing wheat productivity and for agronomic biofortification of zinc.


Key Findings

- Plant growth and yield attributes increased with increasing rates of both potassium and zinc application.
- The maximum values for most growth and yield attributes were observed with the application of 80 kg ha⁻¹ potassium (K3) and 0.6% zinc (Zn3).
- Maximum zinc uptake in grains and stems was recorded in the K3Zn3 treatment.
- The optimal combination for significantly affecting wheat growth and yield was 80 kg ha⁻¹ potassium with 0.6% foliar zinc application.


Conclusion

Exogenous application of potassium and zinc significantly enhances the growth, yield, and zinc content of wheat. The optimal application rates identified in this study (80 kg ha⁻¹ K and 0.6% Zn) are recommended for improving wheat production and for zinc biofortification.


Fact Check

- The experiment was conducted at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. (Confirmed by author affiliations).
- Potassium was applied at rates of 0, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha⁻¹. (Confirmed in abstract and methodology).
- Zinc was applied at rates of 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%. (Confirmed in abstract and methodology).


Mind Map

Loading PDF...

Loading Statistics...