Foliar Application of Zinc, Boron, and Iron Improved Seed Nutrients, Protein Content, and Yield in Late-Sown Stressed Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) Crop

Human micronutrient deficiencies are a major issue around the globe and mostly affect those whose diets are primarily made up of plant-based foods and do not contain sufficient quantities of important vitamins and minerals. Micronutrient deficiency in plants is associated with their declining level in soils, limited bioavailability, and the presence of abiotic stressors that interfere with the healthy growth and development of plants. Field experiments were conducted in lentil sown at two different times to study the effects of foliar-applied Zn, B, and Fe on grain yield and grain concentrations of micronutrients. Field experiments were undertaken in clay loam soil (Aeric Haplaquept) in eastern India during the winter seasons of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, to cultivate rainfed lentil with residual moisture. Lentil crop was sown on two different sowing dates (in November and December) to expose one of the crops to higher temperature and moisture stress. Foliar spray of zinc (Zn 0.5%), boron (B 0.2%), and iron (Fe 0.5%) was applied either individually or in combination at the preflowering and pod development stage. These three micronutrients are essential humans. They have also been reported to alleviate plant stress. Our study reported that foliar spray of micronutrients twice during lentil growth stages can fortify seeds with required nutrients and also alleviate stress in late-sown conditions.

Automated summary

Micronutrient deficiencies are a significant global issue, especially among those whose diets consist mainly of plant-based foods and lack sufficient vitamins and minerals. The deficiency of micronutrients in plants is caused by decreasing levels in soils, limited availability, and the presence of abiotic stressors. This study conducted field experiments on lentils and found that foliar application of micronutrients during the plant growth stages can enrich seeds with necessary nutrients and alleviate stress in late-sown conditions.