Multi-element composition of wheat grain and provenance soil and their potentialities as fingerprints of geographical origin

► The relationships of 22 elements were studied between wheat grain and soil. ► Significant correlations existed between wheat grain and soil for 7 elements. ► Significant correlations existed between topsoil and subsoil for 21 elements. ► Natural geology and geochemistry affect element contents in wheat grain. ► It is feasible to identify wheat origin with elements mainly associated with soil.