Impact of elevated temperature on iron and zinc uptake in rice crop

Climate change associated with rise in temperature has adverse impact on global food production. Rice crop is also affected by this rise in atmospheric temperature. An experiment was conducted during the kharif season of year 2013 inside Temperature Gradient Tunnel (TGT) in IARI farm, to study impact of elevated temperature on uptake of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in rice crop. There were 5 different temperature treatments inside the TGT. Two nitrogen (N) doses were applied in all 5 temperature treatments. Results showed that high temperature stress significantly reduced both grain and biomass yields of rice crop. Grain and biomass yield of rice reduced by 26.6% and 23.5% respectively in treatment with 100% recommended dose of nitrogen. Uptake of Fe and Zn decreased significantly with rise in temperature. Uptake of Fe and Zn in rice grains reduced by 41.5% and 27.3% respectively with rise in temperature by 3.9°C. Reduced yield at higher temperature has resulted in lower micronutrient uptake of the crop. Application of N dose, reduced the harmful effect of temperature rise to certain extent.