Evaluation of germplasm effect on Fe, Zn and Se content in wheat seedlings

Micronutrients are essential for human health and crucial for plant survival. The capacity of food crops in acquiring mineral nutrients affects plant growth and potentially the yield and nutrient content in edible tissues/organs. In this study, we selected 20 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions and evaluated genotypic variations of the young seedlings in response to iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) treatments. Wheat accessions exhibited different growth responses to these minerals and possessed various abilities to accumulate them. Wheat seedlings in general were less tolerable to excess of Fe and benefits from increased levels of Zn supply. They were sensitive to selenite and profited from selenate treatment at low dosages. Limited mineral interactions were observed between Fe or Zn with other nutrients. In contrast, selenate supply enhanced Fe, Zn, sulfur (S), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) content in wheat seedlings, supporting its beneficial role in promoting plant growth; Selenite supplement reduced Zn, S, Mo, Mg, Ca and Mn levels in the plants, consisting with its detrimental role in inhibiting seedling growth. Based on nutrient accumulation, plant growth, and mineral interaction, a number of accessions such as EMB 38 and BRS 264 appeared to be good lines for breeding wheat cultivars with better plant health and potential to accumulate essential micronutrients in edible grains.