How to cut down the gap between the Zn requirement and supply of food chain and crop growth: A critical review citation

Authors: BHANTANA, PARASHURAM - Nepal Agricultural Research Council; Timlin, Dennis; RANA, MUHAMMAD - Huazhong Agricultural University; MOUSSA, MOHAMED - Soil, Water And Environment Research Institute (SWERI); ZHIHAO, DONG - Huazhong Agricultural University; SUN, XUECHENG - Huazhong Agricultural University; TAN, QILING - Huazhong Agricultural University; XIAO, HU CHENG - Huazhong Agricultural University

Submitted to: International Journal of Plant, Animal, and Environmental Sciences
Publication Type: Literature Review
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2020
Publication Date: 1/16/2020
Citation: Bhantana, P., Timlin, D.J., Rana, M., Moussa, M.G., Zhihao, D., Sun, X., Tan, Q., Xiao, H. 2020. How to cut down the gap between the Zn requirement and supply of food chain and crop growth: A critical review citation. International Journal of Plant, Animal, and Environmental Sciences. 10(1):1-26.

Interpretive Summary: Zinc (Zn) is a crucial micronutrient element for animals, human beings and plants worldwide. It is estimated that the nutrition of more than two billion people is Zn deficient. This paper is a review of the role of Zn in plant and human nutrition and methods to increase Zn availability. Wheat and rice are important grain staples for a majority of the world's population. Zn deficiency in soil limits the yields of these crops as well as results in insufficient Zn for human nutrition. Thus, increasing Zn in cereal crops can increase yield and improve nutrition. Increasing the Zn availability of these crops through additions to the soil as fertilizer and spraying zinc solutions on the leaves are the most promising methods to improve nutrition and Zn availability. For an optimal use of plant nutrients, combined soil plus leaf application of the correct level of Zn is recommended in plant research. This review provides a useful summary of the role of Zn in human nutrition and farming for nutritionists, growers and scientists.

Technical Abstract: Zinc (Zn) is a crucial micronutrient element for animals, human beings and plants worldwide. It is estimated that the nutrition of more than two billion people is Zn deficient. Research studies on crop growth and the soil environment have been undertaken to understand how to meet the total dietary requirement by using amendments for Zn. This paper is a review of the role of Zn in plant and human nutrition and methods to increase Zn availability. Wheat and rice are important grain staples for a majority of the world's population. Zn deficiency in soil limits the yields of these crops as well as results in insufficient Zn for human nutrition. Thus increasing Zn in cereal crops can increase yield and improve nutrition. Increasing the Zn content of these crops through biofortification is the most promising method to improve nutrition and Zn availability. For an optimal use of plant nutrients, combined soil plus foliar application of the correct level of Zn is recommended in plant research. Another method to increase Zn content in plants is through biofortification of plant seed. Zn application must be controlled as under or over application of nutrients can pose serious threats to crop growth and the environment. The review notes that tree spraying with 0.6% ZnSO4 performed on Kinnow Mandarin trees increased height, crown width and stem girth as well as fruit diameter, fruit weight, ascorbic acid content and total phenolics compared to all other treatments. In pomegranate trees, Zn provides increased resistance against various disease and environmental stresses. The result of Zn application on fruit juice dry weight, density and TSS is highly significant. Both time and frequency of spraying offer an advantage for crop growth and development. In wheat, three sprays should be applied at tillering, jointing and boot stage. If only two sprays are to be done, they need to be carried out at tillering and the 2nd spray at jointing stage. Zn should be the first choice of micronutrients to apply. Application of ZnSO4 in the form of foliar spray is suggested.