Status of tissue Zinc and Iron contents of Teff [(Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] and Bread Wheat (Tritcum aestivum) and their relationships with some Soil parameters in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Leaf nutrient content is an important indicator of soil supply status. Soil and flag leafsamples were collected from three major agro-ecologies in Tigray, Ethiopia. Resultsrevealed that regardless of agro-ecologies, Zn deficiency is widespread. Of the total soil,tef and wheat samples, 90%, 98% and 89% were deficient in Zn, respectively. While Fewas deficient in 5% soil samples and Fe concentration in the crops varied between agro-ecology. Soil pH, EC and sand content were the soil properties that could possiblypredict tef leaf Zn, whereas soil organic carbon content could be used to predict breadwheat leaf Zn content. Similarly, total soil Fe and soil pH were the soil characteristic thatpossibly predict tef leaf Fe, whereas DTPA extractable-Fe and soil carbon content couldbe used to predict bread wheat leaf Fe. Further similar research should consider othermultiple soil extractant method such as Mehlich-III.