This document discusses zinc deficiency in Indian soils and its effects. It finds that about 50% of Indian soil samples are deficient in zinc. Zinc deficiency reduces crop yields and nutrient use efficiency. It estimates that zinc deficiency results in over 9 million tons of lost cereal production annually in India worth over $2.2 billion. Addressing zinc deficiency through fertilization could provide over $1.5 billion in economic benefits annually along with reducing malnutrition. The document also examines zinc levels in different crop varieties and their enrichment through fertilization.
Maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol] is the third and second most important cereal crop of India, respectively. Maize–wheat system is the third dominant cropping system of India covering 1.8 mha with 2.3% contribution in food grain production (Jat et al., 2013).
Interactions between nutrients in plants occur when the supply of one nutrient affects the absorption, distribution and functions of another nutrient. Generally P and Zn interact negatively, which depends upon a number of physico-chemical properties of soil. Antagonistic P×Zn interaction has been subject of intensive research in several countries and has been thoroughly reviewed. Although some positive interactions of P and Zn are also reported (Shivay, 2013).
The maximum available P and Zn content in the soil was recorded with super-optimal dose (150% NPK) and optimal dose (100% NPK) along with Zn, respectively (Verma et al., 2012). Zinc and P application has antagonistic effect on each other with respect to their concentration and absorption by wheat and maize (Verma and Minhas, 1987). The three Bacillus aryabhattai strains (MDSR7, MDSR11 and MDSR14) were consistent in enhancement of root and shoot dry weight and zinc uptake in wheat (Ramesh et al., 2014).
Management of P×Zn interaction is a challenging task in the era of sustainable food and nutritional security. Use of efficient varieties and application of inorganic P and Zn fertilizer in conjunction with bio-inoculants can increase the crop yield and efficiency of added fertilizers to save precious input.
Maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol] is the third and second most important cereal crop of India, respectively. Maize–wheat system is the third dominant cropping system of India covering 1.8 mha with 2.3% contribution in food grain production (Jat et al., 2013).
Interactions between nutrients in plants occur when the supply of one nutrient affects the absorption, distribution and functions of another nutrient. Generally P and Zn interact negatively, which depends upon a number of physico-chemical properties of soil. Antagonistic P×Zn interaction has been subject of intensive research in several countries and has been thoroughly reviewed. Although some positive interactions of P and Zn are also reported (Shivay, 2013).
The maximum available P and Zn content in the soil was recorded with super-optimal dose (150% NPK) and optimal dose (100% NPK) along with Zn, respectively (Verma et al., 2012). Zinc and P application has antagonistic effect on each other with respect to their concentration and absorption by wheat and maize (Verma and Minhas, 1987). The three Bacillus aryabhattai strains (MDSR7, MDSR11 and MDSR14) were consistent in enhancement of root and shoot dry weight and zinc uptake in wheat (Ramesh et al., 2014).
Management of P×Zn interaction is a challenging task in the era of sustainable food and nutritional security. Use of efficient varieties and application of inorganic P and Zn fertilizer in conjunction with bio-inoculants can increase the crop yield and efficiency of added fertilizers to save precious input.
Liquid organic fertilizers: Nutrient rich material is soaked in water for several days or weeks to undergo fermentation. Frequent stirring encourages microbial activity in liquid manures. The resulting liquid can either be used as a foliar fertilizer or applied to the soil.
what is micronutrients, role of mns,deficiency symptom due to unavailability of mns,use of mns, effect on seed development and seedling estabishment, effect on seed storage, effect on seed viability and vigor,
Effect of Different Levels of K on Growth Performance of Immature Oil Palm in...AnuragSingh1049
Initial growth of oil palm in the field highly depends on quality of the planting materials, management practices and availability of macro and micro nutrients. Failure in supply of these nutrients badly affects initially the vegetative growth performance and finally the yield. An experiment was initiated to investigate the available nutrient levels on plant growth performance at Devithurai estate. Field trial was conducted with RCBD design and six treatments of different K levels and constant levels of N, P, and Mg with four replicates (T1=0, T2 =60, T3 =90, T4 =120, T5 =150, T6 =180 of K2O/Kg/Ha/Ye). Soil nutrient levels and plant growth performances were recorded and data were analyzed with Minitab statistical tool. Results revealed that higher the soil Potassium level plant height was also high (recorded up to 263 cm) although the recommended soil Potassium level is 0.3 cmol/Kg for the Oil Palm. This trial shows rather very low levels of soil K in four replicates in T1 (0.21, 0.18, 0.34 and 0.19coml/Kg respectively) except the replicate three (0.34cmol/Kg). It was shown that there were clear increases in number of fronds in the third replicate. This could be attributed to the fact of initial high soil K level in the soil with periodical application of fertilizer treatments to the trial plots. All the four replicates were showing very good soil available P levels at the initial stage of the trial. The recommended soil Mg level is 0.3cmol/Kg for Oil Palm. In this trial Mg level is very low in all the four replicates. It is concluded that the initial soil nutrient levels especially K is playing a significant role in young Oil Palm growth (P>0.05). Therefore periodical application of fertilizer is a must for better performance of this crop.
Assessment of Zinc and Copper Status of Fadama Soils In Borgu Local Governmen...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— The status of Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) of fadama soils under cultivation at Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria was studied. Soil samples were purposely collected from three extension blocks, namely; Wawa, Babana and Goffanti. Particle size distribution of the soils showed sandy loam texture. The soils pH were either slightly acidic or neutral with a range between 6.05 and 6.93. The level of Organic Carbon (OC) ranged between low and medium, total nitrogen were rated high, available phosphorus were low while exchangeable cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg) were all rated high. Though soil content of Zn and Cu were very low, values were not significantly (P<0.05) different for all locations. The mean values for Zn ranged between 0.496 and 0.592 mg/kg, while Cu ranged between 0.550 and 0.945 mg/kg. This result implies that soil amendments in the form of organic manure and/or supplement of Zn and Cu would enhance nutrient availability for optimum yields of crops for the resource-poor farmers in the study area.
Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in plants: Implications for nitroge...ExternalEvents
Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in plants: Implications for nitrogen-use efficiency and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural systems presentation by Guntur Venkata Subbarao, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan
An efficient incentive of Nitrate and Fluoride on Organic highland cropping s...IOSR Journals
Abstract: Exerting necessitated concentrations of Nitrate and fluoride to the organic highland cropping
systems is a vital management technique. All the chemical elements of the earth’s crust occur in widely differing
omnipresent concentrations, due to their different nuclear chemical formation and geochemical history. The use
of biological nitrogen and fluoride inputs complicates its balancing act due to dandier uncertainty in inorganic
Nitrogen and Fluoride availability. The growers to strike maintain Nitrogen provisioning to support crop
growth and retention of limit pollution followed by fluoride associated soils. Due to various activities of the man
in domestic field, agriculture area and industrial establishment the environment around us consisting soil, water
and air gets polluted. Fluoride inexhaustible concentrations forbid the growth of crop even though nitrates
reposit in the cultivated soils. The purpose of this project was to establish kinetics when nitro fluorides
associated in the highland soils to different crop systems towards environmental pollutions. Cordia Africana
and alfalfa are the plants which make soil to get enrichment of Nitrates and deescalate of concentrations of
fluorides from cultivated soils through its decomposition. This entire study went on its conventionally tilled
crops followed by Cordia Africana and alfalfa stems and leaf particles. Surface soil nitrate concentrations were
measured weekly, biweekly by volumetric analysis and nitrate leaching was estimated from tension Lysimeters
which were buried at the soil bedrock interface. Subsequently by using Orion 720A fluoride ion meter, deescalated
concentrations of fluorides have been measured. The demonstrated concentrations of Soil in NO3
variables, coefficients of variations from the mean concentrations across all samplings have been recorded
sporadically. The total area of the soil bed was maintained the same PH values until project was completed by
weigh Lysimeters. The timing of elevated Nitrate concentrations (10-15PPM) and the concentrations of fluoride
in deeper soil water corresponds with fallow periods. These dynamics will assist growers in adapting the timing
management operations and reduces nitrate departures.
Seedlings characters of wheat as affected by soaking with chitosan and prolin...Innspub Net
To investigate the effect of soaking with chitosan and proline levels under salinity stress on seedlings characters of wheat, a laboratory experiment was carried out at Central Laboratories in Central Administration for Seed Testing and Certification, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt, during January 2019. The experiment was conducted in factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The first factor included four levels of soaking with chitosan (0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75%). The second factor integrated with five levels of soaking with proline (0, 1, 5, 9 and 13mM). The third factor incorporated with four levels of salinity i.e. 0, 4, 8 and 12dSm-1 of NaCl. The results indicated that soaking in chitosan at 0.75% recorded highest values of seedlings characters, followed by soaking in chitosan at 0.50%. The highest values of seedlings characters were produced from soaking in highest level of proline (13mM), followed soaking in proline at 9mM. The highest values of seedlings characters were obtained from the control treatment (without salinity stress), followed by salinity stress at the level of 4dSm-1 of NaCl and then salinity stress at the level of 8dSm-1 of NaCl. It could be concluded that for maximizing seedlings characters of bread wheat Shandaweel 1 cultivar under salinity stress, it could be recommended to soak with the mixture of chitosan at the rate of 0.75 or 0.50% and proline at the rates of 13 or 9mM for 6 h.
Liquid organic fertilizers: Nutrient rich material is soaked in water for several days or weeks to undergo fermentation. Frequent stirring encourages microbial activity in liquid manures. The resulting liquid can either be used as a foliar fertilizer or applied to the soil.
what is micronutrients, role of mns,deficiency symptom due to unavailability of mns,use of mns, effect on seed development and seedling estabishment, effect on seed storage, effect on seed viability and vigor,
Effect of Different Levels of K on Growth Performance of Immature Oil Palm in...AnuragSingh1049
Initial growth of oil palm in the field highly depends on quality of the planting materials, management practices and availability of macro and micro nutrients. Failure in supply of these nutrients badly affects initially the vegetative growth performance and finally the yield. An experiment was initiated to investigate the available nutrient levels on plant growth performance at Devithurai estate. Field trial was conducted with RCBD design and six treatments of different K levels and constant levels of N, P, and Mg with four replicates (T1=0, T2 =60, T3 =90, T4 =120, T5 =150, T6 =180 of K2O/Kg/Ha/Ye). Soil nutrient levels and plant growth performances were recorded and data were analyzed with Minitab statistical tool. Results revealed that higher the soil Potassium level plant height was also high (recorded up to 263 cm) although the recommended soil Potassium level is 0.3 cmol/Kg for the Oil Palm. This trial shows rather very low levels of soil K in four replicates in T1 (0.21, 0.18, 0.34 and 0.19coml/Kg respectively) except the replicate three (0.34cmol/Kg). It was shown that there were clear increases in number of fronds in the third replicate. This could be attributed to the fact of initial high soil K level in the soil with periodical application of fertilizer treatments to the trial plots. All the four replicates were showing very good soil available P levels at the initial stage of the trial. The recommended soil Mg level is 0.3cmol/Kg for Oil Palm. In this trial Mg level is very low in all the four replicates. It is concluded that the initial soil nutrient levels especially K is playing a significant role in young Oil Palm growth (P>0.05). Therefore periodical application of fertilizer is a must for better performance of this crop.
Assessment of Zinc and Copper Status of Fadama Soils In Borgu Local Governmen...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— The status of Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) of fadama soils under cultivation at Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria was studied. Soil samples were purposely collected from three extension blocks, namely; Wawa, Babana and Goffanti. Particle size distribution of the soils showed sandy loam texture. The soils pH were either slightly acidic or neutral with a range between 6.05 and 6.93. The level of Organic Carbon (OC) ranged between low and medium, total nitrogen were rated high, available phosphorus were low while exchangeable cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg) were all rated high. Though soil content of Zn and Cu were very low, values were not significantly (P<0.05) different for all locations. The mean values for Zn ranged between 0.496 and 0.592 mg/kg, while Cu ranged between 0.550 and 0.945 mg/kg. This result implies that soil amendments in the form of organic manure and/or supplement of Zn and Cu would enhance nutrient availability for optimum yields of crops for the resource-poor farmers in the study area.
Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in plants: Implications for nitroge...ExternalEvents
Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in plants: Implications for nitrogen-use efficiency and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural systems presentation by Guntur Venkata Subbarao, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan
An efficient incentive of Nitrate and Fluoride on Organic highland cropping s...IOSR Journals
Abstract: Exerting necessitated concentrations of Nitrate and fluoride to the organic highland cropping
systems is a vital management technique. All the chemical elements of the earth’s crust occur in widely differing
omnipresent concentrations, due to their different nuclear chemical formation and geochemical history. The use
of biological nitrogen and fluoride inputs complicates its balancing act due to dandier uncertainty in inorganic
Nitrogen and Fluoride availability. The growers to strike maintain Nitrogen provisioning to support crop
growth and retention of limit pollution followed by fluoride associated soils. Due to various activities of the man
in domestic field, agriculture area and industrial establishment the environment around us consisting soil, water
and air gets polluted. Fluoride inexhaustible concentrations forbid the growth of crop even though nitrates
reposit in the cultivated soils. The purpose of this project was to establish kinetics when nitro fluorides
associated in the highland soils to different crop systems towards environmental pollutions. Cordia Africana
and alfalfa are the plants which make soil to get enrichment of Nitrates and deescalate of concentrations of
fluorides from cultivated soils through its decomposition. This entire study went on its conventionally tilled
crops followed by Cordia Africana and alfalfa stems and leaf particles. Surface soil nitrate concentrations were
measured weekly, biweekly by volumetric analysis and nitrate leaching was estimated from tension Lysimeters
which were buried at the soil bedrock interface. Subsequently by using Orion 720A fluoride ion meter, deescalated
concentrations of fluorides have been measured. The demonstrated concentrations of Soil in NO3
variables, coefficients of variations from the mean concentrations across all samplings have been recorded
sporadically. The total area of the soil bed was maintained the same PH values until project was completed by
weigh Lysimeters. The timing of elevated Nitrate concentrations (10-15PPM) and the concentrations of fluoride
in deeper soil water corresponds with fallow periods. These dynamics will assist growers in adapting the timing
management operations and reduces nitrate departures.
Seedlings characters of wheat as affected by soaking with chitosan and prolin...Innspub Net
To investigate the effect of soaking with chitosan and proline levels under salinity stress on seedlings characters of wheat, a laboratory experiment was carried out at Central Laboratories in Central Administration for Seed Testing and Certification, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt, during January 2019. The experiment was conducted in factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The first factor included four levels of soaking with chitosan (0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75%). The second factor integrated with five levels of soaking with proline (0, 1, 5, 9 and 13mM). The third factor incorporated with four levels of salinity i.e. 0, 4, 8 and 12dSm-1 of NaCl. The results indicated that soaking in chitosan at 0.75% recorded highest values of seedlings characters, followed by soaking in chitosan at 0.50%. The highest values of seedlings characters were produced from soaking in highest level of proline (13mM), followed soaking in proline at 9mM. The highest values of seedlings characters were obtained from the control treatment (without salinity stress), followed by salinity stress at the level of 4dSm-1 of NaCl and then salinity stress at the level of 8dSm-1 of NaCl. It could be concluded that for maximizing seedlings characters of bread wheat Shandaweel 1 cultivar under salinity stress, it could be recommended to soak with the mixture of chitosan at the rate of 0.75 or 0.50% and proline at the rates of 13 or 9mM for 6 h.
Micronutrients...Importance for plant nutritionUTTAM KUMAR
micro nutrition an important tool for increasing crop yield particularly area were it is more deficient such as alkali soils and some acidic soil ( eg Mo, B )...
research into micronutrients and their need for North Dakota crops. This presentation was not given at conference due to time, but a handout was provided.
The presentation is by P Kumar, IARI and P K Joshi, IFPRI from the one day workshop on ‘Pulses for Nutrition in India: Changing Patterns from Farm-to-Fork’ organized on Jan 14, 2014. The workshop is based on a few studies conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute under the CGIAR’s Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health. These studies covered the entire domain of pulse sector in India from production to consumption, prices to trade, processing to value addition, and from innovations to the role of private sector in strengthening the entire pulse value chain. These studies were designed to better understand the drivers of changing dynamics of pulses in the value chain from farm-to-fork, and explore opportunities for meeting their availability through increased production, enhanced trade and improved efficiency.
Agriculture met the challenge of feeding the world’s poor by the Green Revolution with the help of high yielding varieties (HYV), high fertilizer application. This high fertilizer application increased the world food grain production as well as micro nutrient deficiencies in the soil decade to decade. in 1950 only Nitrogen is deficient in soil but due to green revolution, higher fertilizer application leads to micro nutrient deficiencies in soil (Fig.1). Iron, zinc and Vitamin A deficiencies in human nutrition are widespread in developing countries. About 2 billion people suffer globally from anaemia due to Fe deficiency, more than one-third of the world’s population suffers from Zn deficiency and estimated to be responsible for approximately 4% of the worldwide burden of morbidity and mortality in under 5-year children.
Bio-fortification entails the development of micronutrient-dense food crops (Nestel et al., 2006). Plant breeding strategies hold great promise in this process because of its enormous potential to improve dietary quality. Well-known examples of bio-fortification for fighting micronutrient malnutrition are golden rice and breeding of low phytate legumes and grains (Beyer et al., 2006). Application of fertilizers to soil and/or foliar to improving grain nutrient concentration and the potential of nutrient containing fertilizers for increasing nutrient concentration of cereal grains. Increasing the Zn and Fe concentration of food crop plants, resulting in better crop production and improved human health is an important global challenge. Among micronutrients, Zn and Fe deficiency are occurring in both crops and humans. Zinc deficiency is currently listed as a major risk factor for human health and cause of death globally.
In view of globally widespread deficiencies of micronutrients in humans, bio-fortification of food crops with micronutrients through agricultural approaches is a sustainable widely applied strategy. Agronomic bio-fortification (e.g., fertilizer applications) and plant breeding (e.g., genetic bio-fortification and transgenic breeding) represent complementary and cost-effective solution to alleviate malnutrition. Bio-fortified varieties assume great significance to achieve nutritional security of the country.
Micronutrient malnutrition Causes….
• More severe illness
• More infant and maternal deaths
• Lower cognitive development
• Stunted growth
• Lower work productivity and ultimately - Lower GDP.
• Higher population growth rates.
Malnutrition Problem
• 800 million people go to bed hungry
• 250 million children are malnourished
• 400 million people have vitamin A deficiency
• 100 million young children suffer from vitamin A deficiency
• 3 million children die as a result of vitamin A deficiency
Nutrient recycling through agricultural and industrial wastes:potential and l...Pravash Chandra Moharana
Due to intensive agriculture, the soil resource is under increasing stress as there is a big gap between annual output of nutrients from soil due to crop removals and the nutrient inputs from external resources. So, filling this gap we go for nutrient recycling of non conventional resources i.e. agricultural and industrial wastes. On basis crop production, India generate about 312.5 Mt of crop residues, such as straw of cereals, oilseeds etc can supply about 1.13, 1.41 and 3.54 Mt of NPK. It has been estimated that all animal excreta can potentially supply 17.77 Mt of plant nutrients and 150 Mt of municipal wastes generated annually in India that have nutrient potential of about 1.72 Mt of NPK. At present India produces about 8.0 Mt of poultry manure which is sufficient to fertilizer about 3.56 Mha of land annually. These wastes are composted along with addition low grade rock phosphate and waste mica improve the quality of compost. A huge amount of effluents generated from tanning, textile, distillery and paper mill industries which contain several major primary and secondary plant nutrients (N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, etc.) as well as micronutrients and heavy metals. Application of pressmud cake, FYM and poultry litter increase soil available nutrients and long term irrigation with paper mill effluent causes soil salinity and heavy metal accumulation. Industrial byproducts like phosphogypsum, basic slag etc used as soil ameliorant.
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF SRI OVER TRANSPLANTED RICE IN TERMS OF YIELD A...P.K. Mani
Advantage of SRI over Conventionally Transplanted Rice are discussed on the following Parameters: Yield and Yield Attributing Characters, Water Productivity, Soil Properties, Nitrogen Use Efficiency ,Phosphorus and Potassium use efficiency, Ammonia Loss and Microbiological Properties.
Agronomic-fortification is one such approach that involves the application of foliar fertilizers or combined soil
and foliar fertilizers, intercropping with pulse and crop rotation, which is a highly effective and practical way to
maximize the absorption and accumulation of micronutrients in the grain. It is also recognized as one of the cheapest
ways to reduce mineral deficiency in the human diet.
Bio fortification for Enhanced Nutrition in Rice by Conventional and Molecula...Sathisha TN
Micronutrient malnutrition is widespread, especially in poor populations across the globe where daily caloric intake is confined mainly to staple cereals. Rice, which is a staple food for over half of the world's population, is low in bioavailable micronutrients required for the daily diet. Improvements of the plant-based diets are therefore critical and of high economic value in order to achieve a healthy nutrition of a large segment of the human population. Rice grain biofortification has emerged as a strategic priority for alleviation of micronutrient malnutrition
Plant need water, air, light, suitable temperature and 17 essential nutrients for growth and development in the right combination. When plant suffers from malnutrition, exhibits symptoms of being unhealthy reliable nutrient recommendations are dependent upon accurate soil tests and crop nutrient calibrations based on extensive field research. An important part of crop production is being able to identify and prevent plant nutrient deficiencies. Optimization of pistachio productivity and quality requires an understanding of the nutrient requirements of the tree, the factors that influence nutrient availability and the methods used to diagnose and correct deficiencies. Several methods for nutritional diagnosis using leaf tissue analysis have been proposed and used, including the critical value (CV), the sufficiency range approach (SRA), and the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS). de both soil and tissues analysis. Renewed and intensified efforts are in progress to identify nutrient constraints using latest diagnostic tools and managing them more precisely through intervention of geospatial technologies (GPS, GIS etc.). There have been consistent concerns about the relegated fertilizer use efficiency, warranting further the revision of ongoing practices, and adoption of some alternative strategies. Diagnosis of nutrient constraints and their effective management has, therefore, now shifted in favour of INM.
Role of Biofortification in Combating Zinc & Iron DeficiencyHimanshu Pandey
Biofortification stands as a pivotal strategy in combating zinc and iron deficiencies, particularly in regions grappling with limited access to diverse diets or nutritional supplements. Large scale occurrences of zinc and iron deficiencies in the Indian population are associated with production of staple food grains low in these nutrients and are recognized as the key factors behind human malnutrition. Biofortified crops not only enhance the nutrient content of staple foods but also integrate vital minerals directly into local food systems, increasing accessibility, especially in remote or rural areas. Moreover, the cultural acceptance of biofortified crops is often high, as they are developed through traditional breeding methods and closely resemble local varieties in taste and appearance. This fosters their adoption by communities, further amplifying their impact. Importantly, biofortification is a cost-effective approach that leverages existing agricultural infrastructure, making it feasible for large-scale implementation.
By providing sustainable sources of zinc and iron, biofortified crops contribute to improving health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. Ultimately, by addressing hidden hunger and bolstering nutritional intake, biofortification plays a vital role in promoting public health and combating malnutrition globally. Biofortified crops offer a sustainable solution to the problem of nutrient deficiencies. Through targeted breeding efforts, crop varieties with elevated levels of zinc and iron can be developed, ensuring that these essential minerals are naturally present in staple foods like rice, wheat, maize, and beans. This approach bypasses the need for external interventions such as nutritional supplements or fortified foods, which may not always be readily available or affordable, especially in rural or underserved areas.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is major staple food in the world (especially in South and South East Asian countries).
Important staple foods for more than half of the world’s population (IRRI, 2006)
Source of livelihoods and economies of several billion people.
On a global basis, rice varieties provide 21% and 15% per capita of dietary energy and protein, respectively.
About 50% world’s populations depends on rice as their main source of nutrition.
However, rice is a poor source of micronutrients.
Micronutrients deficiency is a global problem contributing to world’s malnutrition and a major public health problem in many countries, especially in regions where people rely on monotonous diets of cereal-based food, as the Zn level or content in the grains of staple crops, such as cereals and legumes, is generally low.
Increasing the Zn content in the grains of these crops is considered a sustainable way to alleviate human Zn deficiency.
Zn deficiency being an important nutrient constraint, any approach to improve Zn uptake and its transport to grains has significant practical relevance.
The concentration and bioavailability of Zn in rice is very low and its consumption alone cannot meet the recommended daily allowance.
To address this problem, a agronomic and genetic approach called Biofortification which aims at enrichment of foodstuffs with vital micronutrients have been evolved and pursed as a potent strategy, internationally.
M.S. Swaminathan presents: Achieving the Zero Hunger Challenge & the Role of ...Harvest Plus
Professor M.S. Swaminathan presents "Achieving the Zero Hunger Challenge & the Role of Biofortification" at The 2nd Global Conference on Biofortification: Getting Nutritious Foods to People in Kigali, Rwanda. April 1, 2014
1. Detrimental Effect of Soil Zinc
Deficiency on Crop Productivity and
Human Nutrition in India
Indian Institute of Soil Science (ICAR)
Bhopal-462 038, India
(drmvsingh@yahoo.com)
M. V. Singh
Project Coordinator
ALL India Coordinated Research Project of
Micronutrients and Pollutants
Paper presented in First global conference on Biofortification: Discovery to delivery
held at Georgetown University, Washington, USA, Nov. 9-11,2010
2. Population 1,168,714,600
Children-under-5 mortality rate 79 per 1000
Vitamin A deficiency, in children 6 to 59
months old
57 per 100
Iodine deficiency 33 per 100
Prevalence of anemia, in children 6 to 59
months old
69 per 100
Prevalence of anemia, in women
Zinc deficiency disorders
62 per 100
33 per 100
India - micronutrient malnutrition
3. Trends of population growth in India
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2007
Populationinmillions
Per capita cereals availability in India
300
325
350
375
400
425
450
475
1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2007
Cerealg/day/capita
Per capita pulse availability in India
0
20
40
60
80
1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2007
gpulse/day/capita
Influence of Population growth on per capita pulse and
Cereals availability over the years in India
4. Demand projections for various food products in India (m t)
Commodity Base year
(2004-05)
Projection
(2020-21)
Cereals 192.8 262.0
Pulse 14.2 19.1
Food grains 207.0 281.1
Edible oilseeds 35.5 53.7
Vegetables 90.6 127.2
Fresh fruits 52.9 86.2
Sugar in terms
of cane
262.3 345.3
Source: Chand (2007)
5. Detrimental effect of zinc deficiency on crops
It leads to poor growth, low crop yields or often
entire failure of crops and low input use efficiency
6. Crops grown in problem soils suffer more with zinc
deficiency and causing more loss of crop productivity
Soil Type Area, m ha
Salt affected soils 5.44
Salt affected water eroded 1.20
Acidic soils ( pH < 5.5) 5.09
7. Fertilizer (NPK ) response of food grain crops in irrigated areas attributed
to depletion in soil zinc fertility in India (Source: Biswas and Sharma, 2008)
8. State of knowledge
* Precise delineation and mapping helps in prescribing site specific
micronutrient use, thereby increasing their MUE and benefits.
• Indian soils are low in total and available micronutrient content.
•
9. Extent of deficiency in soil in India
• Zinc deficiency varied from 21 to 78% among various states.
• About 50% of 260,000 samples were found deficient in zinc
• Zinc deficiency in soil is expected to increase from 49% to 63% by
the year 2025 as most of the marginal soils show hidden hunger.
10. Periodic changes in percent zinc deficiency (PSD) in
some northern states of India during four decades
Year 1968-83 1983-89 1988-97 1997-2008
State No. of
Sample
PSD No. of
Sample
PSD State No.
of
sample
PSD No.
of
Samp
le
Punjab 13341 53 6641 37 3142 27 3790 22.6
Haryana 14472 77 13350 52 7376 28 1702 19.4
Uttar
Pradesh
6093 69 5570 62 2003
3
39 1259 35.5
Mean
northern
India
33906 66 25561 50 3055
1
35 6751 24.2
11. Periodic changes in percent zinc deficiency (PSD) in some
Middle parts of country during four decades
Year 1968-83 1983-89 1988-97 1997-2008
State No. of
Sample
PSD No. of
Sample
PSD State No. of
sample
PSD No. of
Sample
Bihar 10779 54 6746 49 8435 66 721 57.0
Gujarat 21994 26 18944 22 8158 18 943 36.5
Madhya
Pradesh
7643 63 8069 66 25224 37 1804 63.8
Mean
middle states
of country
40416 41 33759 38 41817 53 3468 55.0
12. Periodic changes in percent zinc deficiency (PSD) in
some southern states of India during four decades
Year 1968-83 1983-89 1988-97 1997-2008
State No. of
Sample
PSD No. of
Sample
PSD State No. of
sample
PSD No. of
Sample
Andhra
Pradesh
4405 51 3304 52 3753 47 685 45.0
Tamil Nadu 7540 36 19433 48 2547 67 4581 73.9
Mean southern
states of India
11945 42 22737 49 6300 55 5266 70.1
Source : Singh (2009)
13. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
North states Central states South states Overall
Assessment year
%Zndeficientsample
1968-83 1983-89 1988-97 1997-2008
Periodic changes in zinc deficiency in
soils of India
14. Percentage of cases in different categories of response
to zinc over years in farmer’s fields
Source: Singh (2005)
Years No. of
trials
Percent distribution of experiments in
different response range, kg /ha
< 200 200-500 500-1000 >1000
1975-76 250 44 41 15 0
1978-80 413 46 30 17 7
1981-84 489 22 40 30 8
1984-85 277 16 43 35 6
1985-86 103 21 44 27 8
1986-90 222 13 65 14 8
1990-2000 236 29 49 15 7
15. Current trend of Per cent micronutrients
deficiencies in Soils Punjab
District Zn Cu Fe Mn B
Ludhiana 7 2 7 22 7
Muktsar 37 1 31 8 5
Patiala 12 1 5 5 36
Amritsar 22 0 4 12 -
Hoshiarpur 31 6 24 25 4
16. Crop No. of
Experi-
ments
Grain
yield in
NPK,
kg/ha
Mean grain response over
NPK
B:C
Ratio
Rs.:Re% incre-
ase
kg
grain/
ha
kg
grain/
kg Zn
Rice 1252 3483 6.3 219 39.9 3.0 : 1
Wheat 5172 2353 8.8 208 37.8 2.8 : 1
Maize 601 2987 7.6 226 41.1 3.1 : 1
Barley 209 2734 9.3 254 46.2 3.5 : 1
Over all 7234 2612 8.3 213 38.7 2.9 : 1
Source: Singh M. V. (2001c)
Mean response to zinc application over NPK in experiments on
cultivator's Fields.
17. Estimates of detrimental effects of zinc deficiency for
major cereal crops economic crop production in India
Crop Area sown
Under major
Cereals (m ha)
Average yield
loss compare to
NPKZn (t/ha)
Total grain loss in
Cereal production
(million ton/year)*
Rice 43.77 0.219 5.272
Wheat 28.15 0.208 3.220
Maize 8.26 0.226 1.027
Total 80.18 0.212 9.350
•On an Average 55% of 7960 field trials showed yield loss if
zinc deficiency is not corrected at country level
**Country as whole needs 169, 535 tonnes zinc or 403, 654 t
zinc sulphate/ year) considering 49% soils deficient in zinc and
50% soils needs fertilization.
18. Estimates of detrimental effects of zinc deficiency on
economic loss from three major cereal crops in India
Crop Economic
Total loss
due to Zn**
deficiency
equivalent
(mUS $)***
Economic
Net loss
annual
from Zn
deficiency
( m US $ )
Net benefit
lost from
nonsupply of
Zn (costing
for each US $
(B:C ratio)
As BONUS
benefits lost
from residual
Zn fertility
& overcoming
malnutrition
Rice 1226 792.8 1.83:1 Zn enriched
food grain &
yield increase
by Zn residual
fertility for 3
Major crops
Wheat 899 620.0 2.23:1
Maize 175 93.2 1.14:1
Total 2200 1506 1.90:1
*Cost: fertilizer US$ 18 for 5 kg Zn/ ha, **Produce cost (US $)
for 1 ton Paddy 232.56 , Wheat 279.07 , Maize 186.04
19. Influence of soil mineral status on nutritional disorders
in animals emanated in various zones of India
State Zone Mineral deficiency
Madhya Pradesh Northern Hill zone P, Zn
Central Narmada Valley P, Zn, Mn
Rajasthan Semi arid zone Ca, P, Zn
Arid zone Zn, Cu
Haryana Irrigated Ca, P, Cu, Zn, Mn
Himachal Pradesh Shivalik Hill zone Ca, Zn, K
Maharashtra North Konkan Coastal Ca, P, Mg, Fe
Karnataka North East Transition zone Ca, P
North East Dry zone Ca, Zn
Northern Dry zone Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn
Southern Transition zone Ca, Cu, Zn
Coastal zone Cu, Zn
Kerala Northern zone Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Mn
Tamil Nadu Rainfed Ca, P, Cu, Zn
Irrigated Cu, Zn, Mn
Andhra Pradesh Rainfed zone Ca, P, Cu, Zn, Mn
Bihar Zone-I Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn , Co
20. District Deficiency (%)
based on
serum mineral
Deficiency (%)
based on hair
mineral basis
Deficiency (%)
based on milk
mineral basis
Ca P Cu Ca Zn Mn Ca P Zn Cu
Gurgaon 80 19 42 27 44 -- 30 28 51 48
Faridabad 73 06 07 41 34 -- 35 24 64 71
Kurukeshtra 21 45 -- 32 57 -- 4 69 54 65
Bhiwani 35 -- 37 27 96 99 66 62 90 29
Rohtak 29 -- 46 55 81 67 71 80 63 25
Hisar 37 13 34 36 31 30 24 51 30 6
Jhajjar 40 33 -- 1 61 12 51 97 37 90
Source: CCSHAU, Hisar
Detrimental effect of soil mineral deficiencies on
nutritional disorders in animals in Haryana
21. Micronutrient prescription for healthy live stock
Composition of a mineral mixture for live stock
( 3 kg mixture / 100 kg feed) in Karnataka
Ingredients Amounts added in
g/ 3 kg mixture
Dicalcium Phosphate 1650
Sodium chloride 900
Calcium carbonate 312
Magnesium carbonate 90
Ferrous sulphate 15
Zinc sulphate 7.5
Manganese dioxide 2.1
Copper sulphate 2.1
Sodium fluoride 1.5
Potassium iodide 0.3
Nutrient deficiencies in soils
of Karnataka from animal
health point of view
Prasad et al (1999), NIANP
22. Influence of soil zinc deficiency on zinc
content in crops and in human blood serum
Mean zinc status
Blood
serum µg/ml
District
(A.P.)
Category No.of
Subject
tested
Soil
mg/kg
Plant
mg/kg
Men Women
Deficient 18 0.37 18.2 0.49 0.52Rangga
reddy
Sufficient 44 0.69 26.7 0.55 0.65
Deficient 16 0.45 13.6 0.84 0.97East
Godavary
Sufficient 44 1.12 25.9 1.08 1.06
23.
24. Selection of efficient plants:
Wheat varieties
Response to zinc
BIOFORTIFICATION OF CROPS
WITH ZINC
25. Zinc concentration enrichment in grain
It varied with crops and crop varieties
Soil Zn status yield Zinc enrichment in
grain
Zn deficient Soil application Foliar spray
Zn moderate Soil or foliar Foliar sprays
Zn adequate Foliar sprays Foliar sprays
Zn sources All Zn sources (
So4/P04/ chelates/
ZnO ) are good
Zn sulphate/ Zn
chelate
Time of application Tillering Flowering
Doses 5-20kgZn/ha 0.5% spray twice
26. Effect of zinc application on zinc enrichment in grain of wheat
varieties
0
20
40
60
80
JW
3020
GW
273
JW
3173
MP
373
DL
7882
PDW
233
PDW
291
P 550 PBW
343
HW
2004
HI
1544
Znconc.mg/kg
No Zn Zn Sprays
Foliar Sprays of 0.5% zinc sulphate solution twice at
blooming stage gave higher zinc enrichment in wheat
seed than soil application
27. Effect of zinc soil and foliar application on zinc enrichment in
wheat varieties
0
20
40
60
80
Varieties
JW
3020
G
W
273
JW
3173
M
P
373
DL
7882
PDW
233
PDW
291
P
550
PBW
343
HW
2004
Znconc.,mg/kg
29. Zinc concentration in grain varied in
crops and crop varieties
Zinc enrichment or agronomic biofortification
Paddy 5-8 ppm over No Zn Less than 1 time
Maize/ bajra 7-18 ppm over no Zn 1-2 times
Wheat/ chickpea 16-66 ppm over no Zn 2-4 times
Majority of Indians have rice or maize based diet so zinc
deficiency in children and human is wide spread
30. Detrimental effect of rice-red gram diet produced in
zinc deficient soil (ZDS) compared to diet produced in
Zinc sufficient soil (ZSS) on the apparent mineral
nutrient absorption and their content in tissues of model
animal (Guinea pig)
Zn Fe Ca
Diet
ZDS ZSS ZDS ZSS ZDS ZSS
Intake (mg /3 days) 517.5 777.16 1.04 0.67 5.87 7.85
Apparent absorption
(mg/3day)
164.6 295.4 0.36 0.23 1.79 2.42
Percent of Intake 31.8 38.2 34.6 34.3 30.5 30.8
Liver (µg/g) 64.3 68.14 425.6 418.2 - -
Femur (µg/g) 154.0 174.15 93.0 80.6 210 212
Serum (µg/g) 1.05 1.34 - - 90.1 91.1
Haemoglobin
(gm %)
- - 12.93 13.41 - -
Source: AICRP MNS, ANGRAU
31. A. Multinutrient deficiencies in wheat
B. Healthy wheat crop
• Farmers are advised not to waste
money on spurious materials
and apply genuine zinc or
manganese
• Awareness of zinc or manganese
deficiency to farmers is must
Field day in Haryana
32. G : Popularization of technology
Widely adopted technology at grassroot level.
• Real constraint is genuine supply of micronutrient
• material to farmers.
33. Summary and conclusions
1. Among micronutrients, Zn deficiency is the most common and
widespread in soil and crops of India.
2. Zinc deficiency has extensive detrimental effect on crop yields
(200-1000 kg/ha). Thus India is loosing 9.35 million tonnes food
grains ( rice, wheat and maize) worth of US $ 1.506 billion
annually.
3. Micronutrient deficiency leads to low zinc, iron, manganese and
copper concentration in edible parts of crop produce which has
detrimental effect on nutrition and health. As a consequence, it is
reported that, India is spending nearly US $ 2.5 billion to prevent
various diseases aroused from micronutrient malnutrition.
4. Foliar sprays of 0.5% solution is more beneficial and economical
in enhancing zinc content in seed than 20 kg Zn/ha to soil.
34. Improving ZINC fertility of ALL SOILS reduces detrimental effect of
zinc on crop productivity and nutrition of humans and live stock.
Location and crop specific micronutrient supply is important to
save US $ 4.00 billion annually and thereby reducing drug
dependence of millions of poor rural population of India.
• Soil application of zinc and/or foliar sprays of zinc sulphate at
blooming of crops reduces detrimental effect of zinc on YIELDS
and zinc concentration in edible parts, it provides economic
BENEFIT of US $ 2.00 for US $ 1.0 spent on zinc fertilization.
• The increase in ZINC CONCENTRATION by 5-20 mg/kg in seed is
a BONUS besides yield gains so government policy should intent
to promote zinc fertilization in ALL CROPS to reduce zinc
malnutrition and serve humans and animals.
35. Summary
Crop species and variety showed wide differences in
zinc efficiency and their ability for absorption and
translocation of micronutrient in seed and thus
biofortifying efficient varieties needs promotion.
Zinc deficiency in soil is decreasing in northern part of
India due regular use of zinc fertilizers while in southern
parts of India it is increasing. Still zinc fertilization
policy needs more attention to produce high
micronutrient enriched agriculture produce.
• Holistic approach and better options including efficient
crop plants, suitable agronomic interventions along
with favourable government policy is must to reduce
detrimental effect of Zn deficiency on crop productivity,
produce quality, nutrition and well being of Indians.
38. Future Research Needs
• Developing holistic approach and better options to produce high
micronutrient enriched agriculture produce for reducing drug
dependence in treating micronutrient .
• Identify efficient crops and varieties as master plant type having
capability to produce high micronutrients enriched seed /fodder .
• Better understanding of physiological mechanisms, as an marker or
indicator, controlling micronutrient efficiency in crop plants at root, shoot
and grain level.
• Investigating plant anatomical and rhizospheric factors responsible for
the variability in absorption, and translocation of micronutrient in seed
and fodder of important food crops.
39. Delineation of micronutrient deficient areas &
mapping
Based on 2.70 lakh soil samples, micronutrient deficient areas have been
delineated & mapped. As much as 49, 12, 3, 5, 33,13 soils are low in
available Zn, Fe,Cu, Mn, B, and Mo, leading to lower crop productivity,
production and and profits.
Zinc deficiency is most common and wide spread problem. Zinc
deficiency is likely to increase from 49 to 63% by the year 2025 as crops
in marginal soils are showing hidden hunger.
Multi nutrient deficiencies are emerging widely affecting plant, animal
and human health, directly on loss in productivity, working days, high
susceptibility to diseases.
40. Periodic changes in zinc deficiency in various
states during four decades in India
State Per cent Zn deficient soil samples ( PSD)
Year 1968-83 1983-89 1988-97 1997-2008
State No. of
sample
PSD No. of
Sample
PSD No. of
Sample
PSD No. of
sample
PSD
Punjab 13341 53 6641 37 3142 27 3790 22.6
Haryana 14472 77 13350 52 7376 28 1702 19.4
U.Pradesh 6093 69 5570 62 20033 39 1259 35.5
Bihar 10779 54 6746 49 8435 66 721 57.0
M.Pradesh 7643 63 8069 66 25224 38 1804 63.8
Gujarat 21994 26 18944 22 8158 18 943 36.5
Andhra
Pradesh
4405 51 3304 52 3753 47 685 45.0
Tamil Nadu 7540 36 19433 48 2547 67 4581 73.9
Overall 86267 51 82057 45 53126 39 15545 43.3