Fortification of bread wheat with iron through soil and foliar application of iron-organic-complexes

Increasing iron (Fe) concentration in food crops is a global challenge that depend on the type and methods of fertilizer application in agriculture practices. Fe-organic complexes (Fe-OCs) including Fe-Glycine (Fe-Gly), Fe-Tyrosine (Fe-Try), and Fe-Chitosan (Fe-Chi) were synthesized and characterized by different analytical techniques. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of soil, fertigation, and the foliar application of Fe-OCs in comparison to Fe-EDDHA to improve Fe status in wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. N91-8). The finding of elemental analysis supported the formation of Fe-OCs. The soil application of Fe-OCs increased the yield and yield components of the wheat. Further, the shoot Fe concentration and other macronutrients increased due to the Fe-OCs with the soil application, however, Fe-Gly and Fe-Tyr more than Fe-Chi resulted in an increase in Fe concentration. Fe-OCs improved nitrogen (N) status in the shoot and grain, and Fe in the grain. The foliar application of Fe-Gly, Fe-Tyr, and Fe-Chi increased Fe concentration in the grain compared to Fe-EDDHA. Fe-OCs can serve as an important agronomic practice to improve Fe grain concentration.