Effect of Foliar Application of Zinc on Zn-fortification and Morph-Physiological Responses of Rainfed Wheat Yield: A Review
Muhammad Asad *
Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan.
Imran Mahmood
Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan.
Sehrish Anwar
Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan.
Ahsan Yasin
Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan.
Muhammad Abu Bakar
Department of Agronomy, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.
Muhammad Athar
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.
Iqra Mushtaq
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.
Azhar Shabir
Bioassays Section, PMBL, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ramzan
Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Wheat is a staple food in Pakistan and plays a vital role in the country's agriculture. It is one of the country's most widely cultivated and consumed crops, providing millions of people's food and livelihoods. The study reviewed the literature on the effect of foliar application of zinc on zinc-fortification and the yield of wheat grown under rainfed conditions. The review analyzed a range of studies that investigated the impact of the foliar application of zinc on wheat growth and grain quality. The results showed that foliar application of zinc significantly improves the zinc content of the wheat grain, which has important implications for addressing zinc deficiency in areas where it is prevalent. Additionally, the review revealed that zinc treatment leads to a noticeable increase in wheat yield, demonstrating its potential to improve agricultural productivity in rainfed farming systems. The review concludes by highlighting the need for further research to optimize the application rate and timing of foliar zinc application to maximize its benefits for wheat production under rainfed conditions.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Keywords: Zinc, foliar application, rainfed, wheat, grain quality, yield