Journal of Environmental Biology

Combined effect of iron and zinc on micronutrient levels in wheat

(Triticum aestivum L.)

Author Details

Zhao Ai-Qing

College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, Shaanxi ? 712 100, China

Bao Qiong-Li

College of Resources and Environment, China Agricultural University, Beijing ? 100 093, China

Tian Xiao-Hong

(Corresponding author)

College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, Shaanxi ? 712 100, China

e-mail: txhong@hotmail.com

Lu Xin-Chun

College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, Shaanxi ? 712 100, China

William Jeff Gale

College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, Shaanxi ? 712 100, China

Publication Data

Paper received:

28 January 2010

Revised received:

30 June 2010

Accepted:

30 July 2010

Abstract

A nutrient solution experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Fe and Zn supply on Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations in wheat plants. The experiment used a factorial combination of two Fe levels (0 and 5 mg l^-1) and three Zn levels (0, 0.1 and 10 mg l^-1). The supply of Fe (5 mg l^-1) and Zn (0.1 mg l^-1) increased plant dry weight and leaf chlorophyll content compared to the Fe or Zn deficient (0 mg l^-1) treatments. However, excess Zn supply (10 mg l^-1) reduced plant dry weights and leaf chlorophyll content. Iron supply (5 mg l^-1) reduced wheat Zn concentrations by 49%, Cu concentrations by 34%, and Mn by 56% respectively. Zinc supply (10 mg l^-1) reduced wheat Fe concentrations by an average of 8%, but had no significant effect on Cu and Mn concentrations. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations were negatively correlated with root- and leaf-Fe concentrations, but positively correlated with stem-Fe concentrations. Leaf-Mn concentrations were negatively correlated with root-, stem- and leaf-Zn concentrations.?

Key words

Fe and Zn effect, Micro-nutrient level, Wheat

Copyright ? 2011 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).