AGRONOMIC BIOFORTIFICATION OF DESI CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) WITH ZINC AND IRON

Pulses and grain legumes like chickpea are important contributor of plant protein in food chain. Biofortification is a tool by which nutritive value of Pulses can be enhanced either through genetic breeding approach, transgenic techniques, and agronomic measures, so it may help in reducing the malnutrition. In humans zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiencies are commonly reported and these mineral deficiency-related health problems may be solved by improving their concentration in grain crops. The study was conducted at research area of Pulses Research Institute, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad for consecutive three years 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 aimed to investigate the effects of soil applied and foliar sprays of Zinc and Iron on grain yield, grain weight and other agronomic attributes which increased under soil application of zinc and Iron as compared to foliar application. Chickpea crop did not respond well to the foliar application of zinc and Iron (T8 , T9 and T10 where Zn and Fe were applied @ 0.1% either alone or in combination) for agronomic parameters, growth and yield. Plant height (86.5 cm), Pods per plant (49.4), 1000 grain weight (245.4 gm) and grain yield (1560.4 kg/ha) increased in T7 where Zinc and Iron were applied in combination @ 5.0 kg/ha. Soil application of zinc @ 5.0 kg/ ha at sowing resulted in the highest Zn (32.02 mg Zn/ kg grain) followed by zinc application @ 2.5 kg/ ha where 30.39 mg Zn/ kg grain was obtained. Similar trend was observed for Fe content in grains. Protein content remained unchanged, significant over control with these treatments. However, crude fat and fiber contents were highest in T10 , where 0.1% foliar solution of Zn & Fe micronutrients was applied. Thus Biofortification of Zn and Fe can help in reducing malnutrition in mushrooming human population.