Genetic Gain for Grain Micronutrients and Their Association with Phenology in Historical Wheat Cultivars Released between 1911 and 2016 in Pakistan

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), being a staple food crop, is an important nutritional source providing protein and minerals. It to fortify cereals such as wheat with essential minerals overcome the problems associated malnutrition. The experiment was designed evaluate status of 11 micronutrients including grain iron (GFe) zinc (GZn) in 62 cultivars released between 1911 2016 Pakistan. Field trials were conducted over two years GFe GZn quantified by both inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer (EDXRF). ranged from 18.4 40.8 mg/kg ED-XRF 23.7 38.8 ICP-OES. Similarly, 24.8 44.1 ICP-OES 26.8 36.6 EDEXR. coefficient correlation higher for (r = 0.90), compared 0.68). Modern Zincol-16 AAS-2011 showed along improved yield components. Old WL-711, C-518 Pothowar-70, before 1970, also exhibited values GZn; however, their agronomic performance poor. Multivariate analysis using eleven (Fe, Zn, Al, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Se P) traits, genome-wide SNP markers identified potential cultivar yield, biofortification wider genetic diversity. Genetic gain significant increase (0.4% year?1), while there negative (?0.11% year?1) (?0.15% span 100 years. Green Revolution Rht-B1 Rht-D1 genes had strong association plant height (GY), semi-dwarfing alleles effect on contents. This study provided valuable insight into deployed historically Pakistan initiate breeding strategy simultaneous improvement phenology biofortification.