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Impact of zinc and iron agronomic biofortification on grain mineral concentration of finger millet varieties as affected by location and slope

Teklu, Demeke; Gashu, Dawd; Joy, Edward J. M.; Lark, R. Murray; Bailey, Elizabeth H.; Wilson, Lolita; Amede, Tilahun; Broadley, Martin R.

Impact of zinc and iron agronomic biofortification on grain mineral concentration of finger millet varieties as affected by location and slope Thumbnail


Authors

Demeke Teklu

Dawd Gashu

Edward J. M. Joy

Lolita Wilson

Tilahun Amede



Abstract

Background: Food crop micronutrient concentrations can be enhanced through agronomic biofortification, with the potential to reduce micronutrient deficiencies among rural population if they have access to fertilizers. Here we reported the impact of agronomic biofortification on finger millet grain zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentration. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in farmers’ fields in Ethiopia in two locations; over two seasons in one district (2019 and 2020), and over a single season (2019) in a second district. The experimental design had 15 treatment combinations comprising 3 finger millet varieties and 5 soil-applied fertilizer treatments: (T1) 20 kg ha−1 FeSO4 + 25 kg ha−1 ZnSO4 + NPKS; (T2) 25 kg ha−1 ZnSO4 + NPKS; (T3) NPKS; (T4) 30% NPKS; (T5) 20 kg ha−1 FeSO4 + NPKS. The treatments were studied at two slope positions (foot and hill), replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Results: Grain Zn concentration increased by 20% in response to Fe and Zn and by 18.9% due to Zn addition. Similarly, grain Fe concentration increased by 21.4% in T1 and 17.8% in T5 (Fe). Zinc fertilizer application (p < 0.001), finger millet variety (p < 0.001), and an interaction of Fe and Zn had significant effect on grain Zn concentration. Iron fertilizer (p < 0.001) and interactive effect of Fe fertilizer and finger millet variety (p < 0.01) had significant effects on grain Fe concentration. Location but not slope position was a source of variation for both grain Zn and Fe concentrations. Conclusion: Soil application of Zn and Fe could be a viable strategy to enhance grain Zn and Fe concentration to finger millet grain. If increased grain Zn and Fe is bioavailable, it could help to combat micronutrient deficiencies.

Citation

Teklu, D., Gashu, D., Joy, E. J. M., Lark, R. M., Bailey, E. H., Wilson, L., Amede, T., & Broadley, M. R. (2023). Impact of zinc and iron agronomic biofortification on grain mineral concentration of finger millet varieties as affected by location and slope. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, Article 1159833. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1159833

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 13, 2023
Online Publication Date May 5, 2023
Publication Date May 5, 2023
Deposit Date Jun 29, 2023
Publicly Available Date Jul 4, 2023
Journal Frontiers in Nutrition
Electronic ISSN 2296-861X
Publisher Frontiers Media
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 10
Article Number 1159833
DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1159833
Keywords fertilizer, Zinc, finger millet, agronomic biofortification, micronutrient deficiencies, Iron
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/21098558
Publisher URL https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1159833/full

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