Enhancing zinc availability in rice (Oryza sativa) grains by different zinc fertilization methods

Abstract

In an experiment to study the effect of basal and foliar application of zinc on antinutrient and pronutrient compounds in rice grains (Oryza sativa) the observed results showed that a combination of basal and foliar application resulted in an increase in the zinc content of rice plants by almost 58% during 2009 and up to 55% during 2010, which was confirmed by the measurement of acid phosphatase, grain and straw zinc content of the rice genotypes. Moreover, phytic acid content was found to be reduced and methionine content was enhanced. In general it was observed that rice genotypes respond to zinc application positively and zinc availability was found to increase. Hence, it can be concluded that proper zinc fertilization can enhance the availability of zinc in rice grains.