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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Macronutrient specially K and micronutrient malnutrition, and particularly deficiency in zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), afflicts over three billion people worldwide. A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of water stress on potassium and some micronutrient accumulation in straw and grains of wheat genotypes. Eight wheat genotypes were grown, 4 tolerant and 4 susceptible against water stress for the experiment. Moisture stress treatment to plants was given at anthesis through withdrawal of water. Soil moisture status of pots subjected to stress treatment was maintained throughout the grain growth period. Schedule routine of irrigation was practiced for control plants throughout the crop growth period. Moisture stress caused changes in nutrient balance of the plants. K, Zn, Fe and Mn concentration were measured both in straw and grain under control and water stress condition at the time of harvesting. Harvest index and 1000 grain weight were also recorded. Mean reduction in harvest index and test weight (1000 grain weight) of seeds was noted in all the genotypes. However, in tolerant cultivars very little reduction was observed as compared to susceptible genotypes. Concentration of K, Zn, Fe and Mn were found more in straw compared to grain under both control and water stress condition. Contents of Fe was reduced, and K contents increased under moisture stress condition both in straw and grain. In case of Zn content increase was noted in straw and decrease in grain due to water stress. No clear-cut effect of water stress was seen on Mn content under water stress in both straw and grain. However, moisture stress tolerant wheat genotypes showed lesser alteration in nutrient content than the susceptible genotypes, maintaining optimum nutrient levels in straw and grains.