Comparison of zinc and iron uptake among diverse wheat germplasm at two phosphorus levels

Sustainable agriculture requires a reduction in the use of phosphate fertilizers, but this may affect root architecture and the uptake of other elements, such as zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). We compared genotypic differences in root architectural traits and Zn and Fe uptake among 112 wheat genotypes treated with and without phosphorus (P) to screen genotypes for higher Zn and/or Fe concentrations. Larger differences were observed for both shoot Fe and shoot Zn concentrations in the − P treatment than the + P treatment. The − P treatment produced significantly lower SARN, SLRL, and TRL than the + P treatment. Heritability for Fe and Zn concentrations in both roots and shoots ranged from 38.3 to 60.8% in the + P treatment and 34.0–53.7% in the − P treatment. Principal component analysis indicated that PC1 mainly represented root architectural traits and PC2 mainly represented P, Zn, and Fe concentrations in shoots and roots, suggesting that different genetic mechanisms controlled root architectural traits and higher shoot Fe and Zn concentrations. Breeding new genotypes with higher shoot Fe and Zn concentrations has promise due to the high heritability of both shoot Fe concentrations and shoot Zn concentrations. The sizable genotypic differences identified in the − P treatment will enable further improvements in Zn and Fe uptake in wheat grown in reduced P conditions.