ABSTRACT
The effect of soil applied zinc (Zn) sulfate and seed priming with Zn-glutamine [Zn(Gln)2], Zn-glycine [Zn(Gly)2], Zn-arginine [Zn(Arg)2], and Zn-histidine [Zn(His)2] on yield and grain nutritional quality of two bread (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. Back Cross and Kavir) and a durum wheat genotype (Triticum durum L. cv. Durum) was investigated. Seed priming with [Zn(Gly)2] and [Zn(Gln)2] increased grain yield of wheat over soil applied Zn-sulfate treatment by 46 and 14%, respectively. Seed priming with [Zn(Gln)2], [Zn(Arg)2], and [Zn(His)2] significantly increased grain protein content of wheat in comparison with control treatment. Seed priming with [Zn(Arg)2] and [Zn(His)2] resulted in higher Zn and Fe accumulation in wheat grain as compared with the other Zn treatments. Priming seeds with [Zn(Arg)2] reduced phytic acid to Zn molar ratio of wheat grain. Seed priming with [Zn(Arg)2] and [Zn(His)2] might be used as an alternative approach for soil application of Zn-sulfate to overcome Zn deficiency in calcareous soils.
Funding
This research was financially supported by Support Box of Iranian Researcher (Project No. 88002077).