Zinc affects yield, protein and quality of wheat

1989

Research organisatons

Trial details

Researcher(s) LC Campbell
Year(s) 1989
Contributor South Australian Research and Development Institute
Trial location(s) Narrabri, NSW
Further information View external link
Zinc affects yield, protein and quality of wheat locations
Aims

To deal with aspects of a large project on diagnosis of the deficiency, yield responses to zinc, residual value of zinc, protein increases and improvement of quality, and genotypic effects in relation to zinc.

Key messages
  • Snapshot of some aspects of a large project on diagnosis of the deficiency, yield responses to zinc, residual value of zinc, protein increases and improvement of quality, and genotypic effects in relation to zinc.
  • Zinc (as zinc sulphate hepta hydrate) was applied at rates up to 40 kg/ha. Nitrogen was applied at 30 kg/ha. Wheat cv. Hartog was sown at 30 kg/ha. In some experiments Cu was applied at 5kg/ha.
  • Yield and protein in the grain increased with application of zinc.
  • Zinc deficiency symptoms seen in crops without Zn applied throughout tillering and leaf samples confirmed the deficiency.
  • The reduction in yield was largely due to plant mortality and fewer productive tillers per plant.
  • Bread making quality as measured by a mixograph showed that the dough strength of zinc deficient grain was very poor.
  • However, the dough itself mixed very quickly.
  • Residual value of the initial application of zinc is at least 2 years: yield responses have occurred in successive seasons.
  • In yield response experiments, responses to zinc have been recorded up 10 kg/ha; at 40 kg/ha, toxicity has been recorded at early tillering but the crop has recovered totally by maturity.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation School of Crop Sciences - The University of Sydeny
Related program More Profit from Crop Nutrition
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified
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Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
Trial type Article/commentary
Trial design Not applicable

Narrabri 1989

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Zinc (as zinc sulphate hepta hydrate) was applied at rates up to 40 kg/ha. Nitrogen was applied at 30 kg/ha. Wheat cv. Hartog was sown at 30 kg/ha. In some experiments Cu was applied at 5kg/ha.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Trial report and links

1989 trial report



Trial last modified: 10-10-2019 10:45am AEST