African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Phytase activity, phytic acid, zinc, phosphorus and protein contents in different chickpea genotypes in relation to nitrogen and zinc fertilization

Muharrem Kaya1, Zeliha Küçükyumuk2 and Ibrahim Erdal2*
1Süleyman Demirel University, Agriculture Faculty, Department of Field Crops, Isparta-Turkey. 2Süleyman Demirel University, Agriculture Faculty, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Isparta-Turkey.  
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 18 August 2009
  •  Published: 15 September 2009

Abstract

Seeds of three chickpea varieties were grown under zinc (Zn) and nitrogen (N) fertilized conditions and levels of zinc, phosphorus, phytic acid and protein concentrations as well as phytase activity were determined. In the field experiment, seed Zn concentrations increased with Zn fertilization in all varieties. Zinc fertilization had a negative effect on seed phosphorus (P) and phytic acid (PA) concentration. Phytic acid to Zn molar ratio decreased with zinc fertilization. Protein content of seeds increased with N and Zn fertilization. Zinc nutrition had no direct effect on phytase activity. Grain Zn, P, PA and protein concentrations varied depending on chickpea variety.

 

Key words: Zinc, nitrogen, phosphorus, phytic acid, phytase.