Optimizing zinc seed coating treatments for improving growth, productivity and grain biofortification of mungbean

Zinc (Zn) is a crucial micronutrient required by plants and human beings. In this study, it was hypothesized that Zn seed coating may improve the stand establishment, growth, grain Zn biofortification and seed yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). The experiment consisted of four seed coating treatments viz. 0.50, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 g of Zn kg^-1 seed; non-coated seeds being taken as control. The findings of this study disclosed that Zn seed coating was beneficial for enhancing the seedling growth, morphological and yield parameters, grain yield and grain Zn concentrations of mungbean. Among the Zn coating treatments, 2 g Zn kg^-1was the most superior for stand establishment, seedling growth, morphological/yield parameters, grain yield and grain Zn biofortification. Zn seed coating increased the seed yield of mungbean by 6.8-40.6% and grain Zn concentration by 12.0-34.4%, respectively, than the non-coated seeds. Thus, the mungbean seeds should be coated with 2 g Zn kg^-1to achieve better stand establishment, seedling growth, morphological and yield parameters, seed yield and grain Zn biofortification.