The influence of zinc fertilization on lentil seed yield and zinc concentration in ten Saskatchewan soils
Maqsood, M.A., J. Schoenau and A.Vanderberg. 2013. Soils and Crops
Abstract
Saskatchewan is the largest producer and exporter of lentils in the world. Continuous
development in production techniques is required in order to maintain this leading role. Recently, much
emphasis is being put on quality of product alongside quantity. Optimum level of essential nutrients in
grain consumed is an important but neglected quality parameter. Zinc (Zn) is one essential nutrient that
is deficient in developing countries where Saskatchewan lentil is marketed. Both genetic and agronomic
approaches can be effective in increasing Zn concentration in grain of lentil (White and Broadley,
2009). Some studies have been conducted previously on yield response of lentil to Zn application
( Thavarajah et al., 2009). However, there are many gaps in information about effect of Zn fertilization
on lentil Zn concentration, and its interaction with soil type and lentil class in Saskatchewan. The main
goal of this project was to evaluate the response of three major lentil classes to Zn fertilization at three
rates on ten soils from the Brown, Dark Brown and Black soil zones of Saskatchewan prairies. A second
objective, given the large variation in soil properties across Saskatchewan, was to evaluate the
distribution of Zn in various labile and stable fractions chemically separated from the soil.
