<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Potassium and zinc are important with respect to mineral nutrition of groundnut and play a significant role in physiological and biochemical processes and thus affect productivity. To make these important minerals available to the growing plants in calcareous soil having fixation problem, the current investigation was undertaken to identify both K- and Zn-solubilizing bacteria for improving growth, nutrient uptake and yield of groundnut. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Soil samples were collected from groundnut rhizosphere during 2018 for the isolation of Zn- and K- solubilizing bacteria.&nbsp;Estimation for Zn- and K-solubilization was done using zinc phosphate and potassium aluminosilicate as insoluble form of Zn and K, respectively. Promising Zn and K solubilizing bacterial isolates were selected and evaluated in pots. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Inoculation of different isolates of KSB and ZSB improved K and Zn contents of shoot and seed during summer and kharif 2019. Evaluation of KSB and ZSB isolates, in potted condition, resulted in improved pod yield upto 39.6% (KSB) and upto 37.1% (ZSB) during summer and upto 24.1% and 25.1% during kharif 2019, respectively. Therefore, uptake of Zn- and K- and yield of groundnut can be enhanced significantly by application of both potential ZSB and KSB.&nbsp;</div>

Enhancing Uptake of K and Zn and Improving Yield of Groundnut by Application of K- and Zn- Solubilizing Bacteria

<div style="text-align: justify;">Fifteen pigeonpea genotypes were selected to establish the role of seed-Zn content in maintaining seed longevity of pigeonpea genotypes. The present study revealed clear genotypic variability with respect to storability among different pigeonpea genotypes. The genotype with highest seed-Zn content (30.81 ppm) proved as good storer by recording highest seed quality parameters viz., seed germination (84.57 %), seedling length (27.67 cm), seedling vigour index (1303), speed of germination (23.29 %), dehydrogenase enzyme activity (0.551 OD value), a-amylase activity (28.46 mm) with lowest electrical conductivity (1.04 &micro;S/cm) and moisture content (7.29 %) at the end of twelve months of storage period. Whereas, genotypes with low seed-Zn content showed lowest seed quality parameters.</div>

Role of seed-Zn content on seed longevity of pigeonpea genotypes

<div>Background: Bio-fortification, the process of integrating nutrients into food crops, provides a sustainable and economic way of increasing the density of micronutrients in important staple crops. Agronomic bio-fortification is the easiest, practicable and fastest way for bio-fortification of pulse grains with Fe, Zn, or other desirable micronutrients. Increasing micronutrient rich foods and improving dietary diversity will substantially reduce micronutrient disorders. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the post rainy seasons of 2015, 2016 and 2017 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kalaburagi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur (Karnataka) to know the effect of soil and foliar fertilization of Zn and Fe on chickpea genotypes. Two genotypes (Annigeri 1 and JG 11) and six fertilization treatments (Control, 0.5% Zn, 0.1% Fe, Zn + Fe, seed treatment with 2 g Zn kg-1 seeds and soil application of Zn) were tested in medium black soils in split plot design with three replications. 
 
Result: The pooled data of three seasons indicated that the genotype JG 11, performed better than Annigeri 1 in terms of seed yield (1309 kgha-1), net returns (₹&nbsp;31634ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.52). On biofortification of Zn and Fe, foliar fertilization of Zn @ 0.5% + Fe @ 0.1% at flowering stage recorded significantly higher grain yield (1321 kgha-1), net returns (₹ 31179ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.44) over rest of the treatments. Further, foliar fertilization of Zn + Fe had significant influence on nutrient concentration (Zn and Fe) in chickpea grains. Thus, it could be concluded that combined biofortification of Zn + Fe to chickpea crop could be the viable agronomic intervention for getting higher productivity and nutritional security.</div>

<div>Biofortification of Zn and Fe in Chickpea through Agronomic Intervention in Medium Black Soils of Karnataka</div>

The effect of zinc (Zn), boron (B) and sulphur (S) on the yield and quality of groundnut in a field experiment with three levels of Zn (0, 5, 10 kg Zn ha-1 as Zn-EDTA as basal), two levels of B (0 and 0.25% boric acid as foliar spray) and three levels of S (0, 25, 50 kg S ha-1as CaSO4.2H2O) in a factorial RBD were studied. Basal application of Zn @ 5 and 10 kg ha-1 caused an increase in nut yield by 3.7% and 28.3% respectively over control, whereas, application of S @ 25 and 50 kg ha-1 increased the nut yield by 38.3% and 56.6% respectively over control. Conjoint application of Zn @ 10 kg ha-1 and S @ 50 kg ha-1 caused an increase in nut yield up to 73.4% over the control. Results, therefore, revealed that conjoint effect of S and Zn towards nut yield was more effective than that of B application. Application of Zn, S and B significantly increased their nutrient uptake in nuts. On an average, S, Zn and B uptake by groundnut ranged from 11.4 to 21.0 kg ha-1, 0.14 to 0.40 kg ha-1 and 0.12 to 0.25 kg ha-1, respectively. Integrated mode of application of Zn, B and S showed a positive interaction as yield increase with their uptake in groundnut. Oil content in nuts ranged from 45.3 to 54.4%, while iodine value ranged from 97.8 to 90.5%. Application of S and Zn significantly increased the oil content, while it significantly decreased the iodine value in groundnut. So, application of micronutrients viz. Zn and B as well as S fertilization could be a useful strategy not only to increase the yield but also the quality of groundnut.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Influence of Zn, B and S on the yield and quality of groundnut &nbsp;(Arachis Hypogea L.)

The comparative effect of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% Zn levels of zinc chelate (Zn-EDTA; 8% Zn) and zinc sulfate (23% Zn) applied as foliar sprays for assuaging zinc deficiency of chickpea cv. G&ouml;k&ccedil;e was evaluated under field condition. The sprays were applied on the plants before blooming stage during 2012 and 2013 growing seasons and seed yield, yield components like plant height, pod number per plant, seed number per plant, hundred seed weight, harvest index and mineral concentrations (nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and iron) in seeds were investigated. Plant height, pod number per plant, seed number per plant, hundred seed weight, harvest index and seed yield were investigated. The results showed that increased zinc doses caused an increase in Zn content of seed, while seed yield was not affected similarly. In general, plant height, pod number and seed number per plant increased by the application of zinc. Lower dose of Zn-EDTA and higher dose of ZnSO4 gave higher yield components. Seed weight, harvest index and seed yield were not significantly influenced by Zn sources and doses; however, mineral concentration of seeds enhanced when Zn doses were increased. It was concluded that foliar application of zinc resulted in an increase in seed mineral contents rather than seed yield of chickpea. The dose of 0.6% with Zn-EDTA was the optimum combination for Zn enrichment in seed of chickpea.&nbsp;

The optimum foliar zinc source and level for improving Zn content in&nbsp;seed of chickpea

Background: Dexamethasone (DX) is a glucocorticoid drug, its side effects, which include oxidative stress, despite being used to treat inflammatory diseases, Therefore, the primary goal of the study is to evaluate the new DX/Zn drug complex&rsquo;s potent capacities with an increase in its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The DX/Zn novel complex was synthesized and characterized by means of magnetic susceptibility, SEM, TEM, elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1HNMR, UV and X-ray diffraction). Antioxidant activities were performed via a lot of invitro antioxidant assays (ORAC, ABTS and Metal chelation), antibacterial actions against B. subtilis and E. coli. 
&nbsp; 
Result: DX is coordinated toward Zn ion as a monodentate ligand through the oxygen of (C=O).DX/Zn induced antioxidant activities via different antioxidant tests, it exhibits strong antibacterial properties against the bacterial strains B. subtilis and E. coli. Novel DX/Zn novel complex is an effective antioxidant and antibacterial agent.

Chemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Novel Dexamethasone/Zn Complex as a Potent Antioxidant and Antibacterial Agent

<div>Background: Phosphorus and zinc are two essential nutrients which are required for normal plant growth. These nutrients are mutually antagonistic in certain circumstances which can cause yield reductions in many crops due to either P or Zn deficiencies. Organic matter causes soil to clump and form soil aggregates, which improves soil structure. With better soil structure, permeability improves, in turn improving the soil&rsquo;s ability to take up and hold water.&nbsp; The addition of organic manure may reduce the mobility of Zn in soil by forming stable chelates thereby may affect the formation of Zn-P complexes in soil. Thus, the present study was undertaken to find the interaction between P and Zn on the changes in different inorganic phosphorus fractions under waterlogged soil treated with and without organic matter. 
 
Methods: An incubation experiment has been conducted in the laboratory of Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Calcutta to find the interaction between P and Zn on the changes in different phosphorus fractions under waterlogged soil treated with and without organic matter. Treatments details: P0Zn0 - No Phosphorus + No Zn, P0Zn1 - No Phosphorus + Application of Zn at 2.5 mg/kg soil, P0Zn2 - No Phosphorus + Application of Zn at 5 mg/kg soil , P1Zn0 - Application of P at 10 mg/kg soil + No Zn, P1Zn1 - Application of P at 10 mg/kg soil + Application of Zn at 2.5 mg/kg soil,P1Zn2 - Application of P at 10 mg/kg soil + Application of Zn at 5 mg/kg soil, P2Zn0 - Application of P at 15 mg/kg soil + No Zn, P2Zn1 - Application of P at 15 mg/kg soil + Application of Zn at 2.5 mg/kg soil, P2Zn2 - Application of P at 15 mg/kg soil + Application of Zn at 5 mg/kg soil. The same treatment combination was studied with application of organic matter where organic matter was applied @1% by soil weight basis and another set of treatment combination were conducted in absence of organic matter. After application of all treatments, maintaining waterlogged condition, the soils were allowed to incubate at room temperature (30&plusmn;2)&deg;C for a period of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 days interval and analyzed for different fractions of P.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The amount of Soluble and Loosely bound P fractions has been recorded highest (47.50 mg kg-1) in the treatment P2OM2 at 30 days of incubation in presence of organic matter. As regards to the interaction effect between P and organic matter it was observed that the amount of Al-P was recorded enhanced, being highest with their highest level of application. The individual application of P increased the amount of Fe-P content, being highest (56.96 mg kg-1) at 30 days of incubation with its highest level, while the application of organic matter at its highest level recorded highest amount of Fe-P (55.30 mg kg-1) content. The absolute amount of Reductant soluble P was recorded a lower value than Fe-P. The results suggest that Ca-P fraction was the dominant inorganic P fraction among other fractions and there is a synergistic effect was found between P and organic matter where there is an antagonistic effect found between P and Zn.</div>

Interaction between P and Zn on the Changes in Different Inorganic Phosphorus Fractions under Waterlogged Soil Treated with and Without Organic Matter

The effects of salinity and zinc (Zn) priming on the physical and mineral composition of green bean genotypes were investigated on two green bean genotypes (&lsquo;&ordf;eker Fasulye&rsquo; and &lsquo;Local Genotype&rsquo;) by soaking seeds in 0.05% Zn (ZnSO4.7H2O) solution and by exposing to salt stress by applying 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl after first true leaf emergence. Plants not exposed to salt stress were treated as control. The effects of Zn priming on the salt tolerance of genotypes, fresh and dry weight of plant leaf relative water content (RWC), loss of turgidity (LOT), Na, K, Ca and Zn concentrations in the leaves, stem and root portions of plants were evaluated. The NaCl concentrations led to significant variations in the examined parameters. The highest concentration of salt (150 mM) caused fading in leaves and led to inhibition of growth and development. Salt application generally reduced the fresh and dry weights of plants of both genotypes where Zn priming showed an amendatory effect. Leaf RWC decreased with salt applications while LOT increased but Zn priming had no amendatory effect on these parameters. &lsquo;&ordf;eker Fasulye&rsquo; genotype was found to be relatively more salt tolerant than &lsquo;Local Genotype&rsquo; on the basis of the investigated parameters. Zinc priming decreased the Na and Ca concentrations in plant organs; however, a decrease in K concentration was observed due to increase in NaCl.

Physiological, biochemical and mineral dimensions of green bean&nbsp;genotypes depending on Zn priming and salinity&nbsp;

Background: Phosphate is an essential nutrient but can be toxic to plants when phosphate accumulates in plants at high levels. The objective of the study was to find effects of excessive application of P and Zn fertilizer on growth and yield of maize under hydroponic conditions. 
 
Methods: Research of Experiment studied from August to December 2019 at the greenhouse of the Agriculture and Aquaculture School at Tra Vinh University. The study aimed to determine the effect of high phosphate application on growth, biomass, symptoms of poisoning, phosphate and zinc absorption in maize and vegetables grown in hydroponic solution. 
 
Result: Experimental results showed the symptoms of phosphate poisoning on maize when grown in Hoagland nutrient solution (2.0 mM P) with an additional phosphorus content of 0.1 mM P, 1.0 mM P, 3.0 mM P in the treatment with or without the addition of Zn. However, the poisoning symptoms have been yet clearly expressed when Zn was not added. Therefore, plants may exhibit phosphorus toxicity, reducing Zn absorption when the phosphorus concentration in solution was increased by more than 1%P2O5. It is necessary to continue investigating plants&rsquo; responses to phosphate fertilizers.

Effects of Excessive Application of P and Zn Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Maize under Hydroponic Conditions

Background: Reducing pod shatter is crucial for achieving high yields in lentils, a vital plant for dry lands. The selection of the right lentil variety is key to achieving this goal. While some varieties are highly productive, they may also suffer from shattering losses, which can significantly reduce profitability. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: This study investigates the reduction of pod dehiscence in lentil pods through the foliar application of increasing rates of iron and zinc. A split-split-plot experiment was conducted with three lentil varieties (&#39;Firat-87&#39;, &#39;Cagil&#39; and &#39;Sanlibey&#39;), two fertilizer types (zinc and iron sulphate) and three application rates (0-200-400 mg kg-1&nbsp;and Zn rates are 0-150-250 mg kg-1) as triplicates. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The statistical analysis revealed that the fertilizer type had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on pod shatter amounts, with iron sulphate being more effective than zinc in reducing pod shatter. The experiment found statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) effects of foliar fertilizer rates on pod shatter. Increased Fe and Zn application rates resulted in the decreased pod shatter loss. The zinc and iron content of the leaf, pod and seed of lentils also increased with application rates for the two foliar fertilizers. The results indicate that foliar Fe and Zn application not only decreased pod shatter but also increased the mineral content (Fe and Zn) of the leaf, seed and pod of lentil varieties. The study revealed that Fe and Zn nutrient application to lentil plants increased the mineral Fe and Zn content of plant parts and decreaed the pod shatter loss in the semi-arid region of Turkey.

Enhancing Uptake of K and Zn and Improving Yield of Groundnut by Application of K- and Zn- Solubilizing Bacteria

Role of seed-Zn content on seed longevity of pigeonpea genotypes

Biofortification of Zn and Fe in Chickpea through Agronomic Intervention in Medium Black Soils of Karnataka

Influence of Zn, B and S on the yield and quality of groundnut (Arachis Hypogea L.)

The optimum foliar zinc source and level for improving Zn content in seed of chickpea

Chemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Novel Dexamethasone/Zn Complex as a Potent Antioxidant and Antibacterial Agent

Interaction between P and Zn on the Changes in Different Inorganic Phosphorus Fractions under Waterlogged Soil Treated with and Without Organic Matter

Physiological, biochemical and mineral dimensions of green bean genotypes depending on Zn priming and salinity

Effects of Excessive Application of P and Zn Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Maize under Hydroponic Conditions

Effects of Foliar Fe and Zn Application on Pod Shattering of Red Lentil Varieties in Semi-arid Region of Turkey