Impact of iron and zinc agronomic biofortification on yield, concentration and uptake of nutrients in wheat as affected by iron and zinc solubilizing microbial inoculants

Abstract

\Field experiment was conducted to improve Fe and Zn concentration and yield of wheat in response to varying Fe and Zn solubilizers and fertilizer application rates. The field experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2021-22 at research farm Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. Experiment consists of thirty six treatment combinations which includes four iron and zinc solubilizing cultures (Control, Pseudomona striata, Pseudomona fluorescens, and Bacillus megaterium), three levels of iron sulphate (0, 20 and 40 kg FeSO4 ha-1) and three levels of zinc sulphate (0, 20 and 40 kg ZnSO4 ha-1) in factorial randomized block design. The results emerged out found significant effect of iron and zinc solubilizing microbial inoculants particularly Pseudomona striata and in levels of iron sulphate and zinc sulphate upto40 kg ha-1on yield and concentration of iron and zinc. Significant increase in grain yield was noted with the application of Pseudomona striata (2968 kg ha-1) over control. Higher grain yield found with application of 40 kg FeSO4 ha-1 (2975 kg ha-1) and 40 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (2971 kg ha-1). Similarly, maximum straw yield noted with application of Pseudomona striata (5331 kg ha-1) over control. Further, in levels of iron sulphate and zinc sulphate higher straw yield found with application of 40 kg FeSO4 ha-1 (5612 kg ha-1) and 40 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (5530 kg ha-1). Higher concentration of macro nutrients and micronutrients noted with application of Pseudomona striata + 40 kg FeSO4 ha-1 +40 kg ZnSO4 ha-1. Similarly, higher uptake of macro and micro nutrients found with microbial inoculant particularly Pseudomona striata and with application of 40 kg FeSO4 ha-1 and 40 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 along with recommended dose of fertilizers.