ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Assessment of Wheat Biofortification for Iron (Fe) Using Vermicompst and Biochar along with Fe Application
 
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
 
2
Department of Plant Protection, Ghazi University, Pakistan
 
3
Department of Horticulture, Ghazi University, Pakistan
 
4
Department of Botany, Sargodha University, Pakistan
 
5
Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif City, Saudi Arabia
 
6
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, Saudi Arabia
 
These authors had equal contribution to this work
 
 
Submission date: 2024-04-11
 
 
Final revision date: 2024-06-27
 
 
Acceptance date: 2024-09-09
 
 
Online publication date: 2024-12-20
 
 
Corresponding author
Saqib Bashir   

Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Iron-biofortification is a sustainable method of addressing iron (Fe) deficiency in crops by increasing iron content and bioavailability under alkaline conditions. In this regard, the management of Fe-deficient soil is becoming a serious matter of concern for soil health and the food web. The current research was carried out to investigate the possible impact of vermicompost (VC) and biochar (BC) along with iron (Fe) for improving the Fe fortification in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in alkaline soil. The wheat genotype “Fakher-e-Bakkhr” was used as a test plant. The findings showed the highest variations among all the measured parameters. The use of Fe along with VC and BC significantly improved plant height, root length, root and shoot weight, number of leaves, and overall plant biomass of wheat crop. A greater increment was noticed in available Fe in soil when VC, BC, and VC+BC along with Fe were applied in alkaline soil by 31.4%, 36.4%, and 41.5%, respectively, over control. Additionally, Fe contents in plants were increased by 16.5%, 22.6%, and 25.1% when VC, BC, and VC+BC along with Fe were applied in alkaline soil. Similarly, maximum increases in soil OM, available P, and K by 53%, 21.9%, and 19% were recorded when VC+BC+Fe was added in combined form relative to control. This study indicated that using organic amendments like BC and VC along with iron can have the potential to improve the bioavailability of iron and enhance wheat nutritional quality, thereby enhancing the Fe fortification in wheat under alkaline conditions.
eISSN:2083-5906
ISSN:1230-1485
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top