Zinc efficiency as related to distribution and internal requirement

Abstract

Zinc deficiency limits yield of cereals on vast areas in the world, and developing genotypes with the ability to grow and yield on zinc deficient soils is considered a long-term sustainable approach. A good understanding of this ability will facilitate breeding for this agronomically important trait. In a growth room study, using a soil culture, we compared some of the physiological differences in two wheat genotypes previously shown to differ in zinc efficiency. Our results indicate that higher zinc efficiency may be achieved through greater distribution to younger parts and lower internal requirement. Selection for such attributes can be considered in breeding programs aiming to develop zinc efficient genotypes for cropping zinc deficient soils.