Iron and zinc content in grain and stover of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) grown under water-deficit conditions at various stages of development

Abstract

Globally, many people face the problem of hidden hunger related to Fe and Zn deficiencies. Improving the level of these micronutrients in crops such as pearl millet that is widely cultivated and consumed in many tropical areas can be one way to mitigate the menace. Influence of water stress (deficit) on the Fe and Zn content of pearl millet was studied at various developmental stages of the crop. The study was conducted under greenhouse conditions at Dutsinma in Katsina State. The experiment consisted of six treatments representing water stress at: A = leaf stage during the first 13 Days After Emergence (13 DAE), B = panicle initiation stage (14-27 DAE), C = boot stage (28-41 DAE), D = milk stage (42-55 DAE), E = dough stage (56-70 DAE) and F = control treatment (full irrigation regime). Experimental design was the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated 3 times. Crop and soil data were collected according to standard procedures.  Results indicated that water stress at various stages of growth significantly improved Fe and Zn contents of grain and stover. At dough stage, the grain Fe and Zn contents were significantly increased by at least 49.3%, while stover Fe and Zn contents significantly increased by 55.6% and 70.3% respectively during the boot stage. It was recommended to avoid early planting of pearl millet so that the quality of the grains can be improved in terms of Fe and Zn. There is need for more research practices that can improve crops nutritional quality in relation to micronutrients.

Keywords: Iron, Zinc, Pearl Millet, Water deficit