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.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: ierdal@ziraat.sdu.edu.tr. Tel.: +90 246 2113871. Fax: +90 246 2371693.

Accepted 18 August, 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.