Effects of salinity and macronutrient levels on micronutrients in wheat

It is unclear how salinity and macronutrients affect the micronutrient composition of plants. The objective of this study was to investigate interactive effects of salinity and macronutrients on micronutrient concentration in leaves, stems, and grain of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Lona) grown in hydroponics in growth chambers. Eight salinity levels from 0 to 150 mM NaCl, and 1,0.2, and 0.04 strength Hoagland macronutrient solutions were used. It was found that the effects of salinity on the concentrations of Mn, Zn, Fe, and B in plants were complex. The changes in Mn, Zn, Fe, and B concentrations under saline conditions depended upon the levels of macronutrients and salinity, and the organs of plants. There was no significant correlation between yield parameters and Mn, Zn, Fe, and B in wheat, regardless of the macronutrient levels. This finding suggests that the micronutrient concentration in plants is probably not much affected by salinity.