Effect of zinc and iron application on leaf chlorophyll, carotenoid, grain yield and quality of wheat in calcareous soil of Saurashtra region

Abstract

Micronutrients like Fe and Zn plays a vital role in growth and development of plant and occupies an important portion by virtue of their essentiality in increasing crop yields. Trend to more intensive crop production with higher yields, heavier usage of fertilizers increases the need for greater consideration and usage of micronutrients. Iron plays an important role in respiration, photosynthesis and the production of healthy green leaves. Keeping in view the important role of iron in crop production, chelated application of Fe and Zn may help to overcome the above problem and helps the increase in crop growth and yield and grain quality, the present study was designed. The results showed that the leaf chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, Total chlorophyll and total carotenoid content in wheat leaves were significantly increase at 45 and 70 DAS in wheat leaves in Fe treated plot. Content also remained higher in Zn treated plot compared to control indicated that Zinc and Iron play important role in improvement of quality, regulation of enzymatic process and the chlorophyll content. Fe and Zn applications, either as soil or foliar application increased the grain yield, protein and gluten content of wheat. This may be the effect of increased in photosynthesis due to higher photo harvesting pigment in leaf as well as increased in nutrient content in plant due to the application of Zn and Fe.