Mineral Composition of Bread Wheat Cultivars as Influenced by Different Fertilizer Sources and Weed Management Practices

Mineral and vitamin deficiencies are one of the important threats especially in developing and under-developed countries.

Wheat grain also contains a number of elements vital to our biological functions, but hazardous to our health in high

concentrations. This research was carried out to determine the effects of agronomic practices on the mineral composition

of organically grown bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. In terms of all nutrients evaluated, the mineral content of

wheat showed significant differences according to crop years, varieties, weed management methods and fertilizer sources.

As the average of all factors, the Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb contents of the ground wheat grain were 3.93,

42.8, 79.6, 0.549, 11.34, 0.012, 0.140, 0.194, 3.71 and 0.269mg/kg, respectively. According to the wheat varieties, the

Kirik was superior in terms of Cu (7.6%), Fe (3.8%), Se (57%), Zn (40.5%), Co (31.1%) and Cr (36.1%), and the Dogu-88

was superior in terms of Mn (5.5%), Cd (1.9%), and Ni (17.0%). The effect of weed management methods on mineral

content was variable. According to fertilizer sources, the highest mineral content was obtained from the control plots

without fertilizer treatments. The lowest mineral contents were obtained from chemical fertilization, cattle manure and

organic fertilizer applications. There was no significant increase in the mineral content of wheat with organic fertilization,

however, organic agriculture still preserves its place in terms of healthy food. As a result, it has been determined that the

values obtained for all mineral elements were not at a level that pose a risk on the environment, human and animal health

according to WHO. In order to identify wheat varieties with higher mineral content, which are beneficial for human health,

new research should be done with different organic fertilizer sources with more varieties.