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Abstract This study aimed to develop an agronomic biofortification strategy to enhance wheat grain protein content (GPC), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) concentrations through foliar micronutrient cocktail applications under different irrigation and nitrogen (N) regimes. Field experiments were conducted using nine bread wheat genotypes under two irrigation conditions (irrigated IR and rainfed R) and two nitrogen fertilization rates (low N LN, 40 kg N ha⁻¹; high N HN, 140 kg N ha⁻¹). The LN treatment served as control, receiving soil-applied N only. HN was applied in split doses according to growth stage, and foliar applications of an N + Zn + Se cocktail were carried out at heading and early milk stages. Grain yield (GY), GPC, and Zn and Se concentrations were determined to assess treatment and genotype effects. Irrigation increased grain yield by 17% and thousand-grain weight by 8%. HN fertilization enhanced yield by 7% and substantially increased GPC (+ 10%), Zn (+ 40%), and Se (+ 2.3-fold). Significant genotypic variation was observed for both yield and micronutrient accumulation. Genotypes G3 and G5 exhibited the highest GPC, Zn, and Se concentrations, whereas G9 produced the highest yield but lowest micronutrient levels, indicating a trade-off between productivity and nutritional quality. Foliar micronutrient cocktails were the most effective under HN conditions, indicating the synergy between N supply and micronutrient uptake. Integrating optimized N management with stage-specific foliar N + Zn + Se applications provides a sustainable strategy to enhance wheat grain nutritional quality and mitigate micronutrient deficiencies.
Erdinç Savaşlı (Tue,) studied this question.