Determination and characterization of the genotypes with high seed zinc concentration and resistant to zinc deficiency in Triticum spelta wheat

Increasing Zn and Fe concentration in crops is one of the main strategies for alleviating health problems in human caused by deficiency of these elements. For this aim using of wild wheat species containing genetically varied level and high amount of Zn and Fe in their seeds have been suggested. For realizing this aim, 766 Triticum spelta genotypes were tested at different regions to determine Zn, Fe and N concentrations in grainThe results obtained from the study showed that spelta wheat genotypes had high level of Zn and Fe concentration and substantial variation for seed concentrations of these elements. Among 766 genotypes, while the lowest Zn concentration was 29 mg kg-1 (SP 611), the highest Zn concentration value was 102 mg kg-1 (SP 217) and mean Zn concentration was found to be 55 mg kg-1. The regarding values were respectively 19, 72 and 36 mg kg-1 for Fe, 2,41%, 5,11% and 3,43% for N. An another finding obtained from analysis was that N concentration increased with increasing of Zn in seed, significant and positive relationships were found between seed Zn and N concentrations (r=6179***), seed Fe concentration and N concentration (r= 0.5541***) and seed Zn and Fe concentrations.Under greenhouse conditions it was determined that Zn efficiencies of the genotypes varied between 43-95% and mean was found to be 79%. In efficiency of genotypes dry matter productions were significant under the conditions without Zn (r=4794***), while presowing grain Zn concentration and shoot Zn concentration and content were found not be significant.All the findings obtained from this study revealed that spelta wheats had important level of concentration and genetical variation for improving seed Zn, Fe and N concentrations in modern wheats.