Zinc efficiency and diversity of Montana wheat and barley

Abstract

Zn is essential for all living organisms because of its functional, structural and regulatory roles in more than 300 enzymes found in eukaryotes (McCall, 2000). In plants and humans, trace metal deficiencies cause an altered expression or function of proteins at the metabolic level and may lead to physiological drawbacks in plants and even psychological problems in humans. Plants with improved Zn status may help to alleviate these issues globally. Therefore, it is crucial to understand genes involved in Zn homeostasis. Lack of information on the micronutrient status of Montana wheat and barley was the main reason of this study and most commonly cultivated Montana wheat and barley varieties were included in the study. The aim of this study was; (I) to identify ZIP1 and IRT2 genes in Montana wheat and barley cultivars, (II) to study the physiological response, effectiveness in Zn uptake capacity and Zn translocation to plant edible parts by subjecting these cultivars to Zn deficient and Zn adequate environments and (III) to comprehend the micronutrient diversity and Zn grain localization of local wheat and barley cultivars.