Summary
This field trial evaluated the performance of a high-zinc wheat variety (Zincol-2016) across three Pakistani sites with markedly different soil zinc status. The variety outperformed local reference varieties in grain zinc concentration only at the site with adequate soil zinc availability (Faisalabad), suggesting that soil zinc status is a critical determinant of biofortified variety performance. Foliar zinc fertilisation consistently increased grain zinc across all varieties and sites, whereas soil zinc fertilisation showed no significant effect on grain zinc concentration or yield.
Regional applicability
The findings have limited direct applicability to UK cereal production, where soil zinc deficiency is not a primary agronomic constraint and wheat is not typically a primary micronutrient intervention crop. However, the research design and characterisation of site-specific environmental factors influencing biofortified variety performance may inform UK trials if zinc-dense cereal varieties are developed for UK contexts.
Key measures
Grain zinc concentration (mg kg⁻¹), grain yield, soil DTPA-extractable zinc status, effects of zinc fertiliser treatments (soil and foliar applications at varying rates) on zinc accumulation
Outcomes reported
The study measured grain zinc concentration and yield of a high-zinc wheat variety (Zincol-2016) compared to local reference varieties across three sites with contrasting soil zinc status, and assessed the effect of soil and foliar zinc fertiliser applications on grain zinc content.
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