Background and aims

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in humans is of worldwide concern and is primarily associated with a plant-based diet of crops grown in Zn-deficient soils. This work explores the effects of both soil factors and genotype on Zn accumulation in aboveground tissues in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Methods

A meta-analysis was performed on collected articles data published between 1945-2020 describing Zn concentrations in barley shoots and grains in plants grown at different levels of Zn availability.

Results

Higher Zn levels in the growth substrate resulted in increased Zn concentrations in barley shoots and grains. Of note is that Zn concentrations were found to be highly cultivar specific, with a 3.5-fold (shoots) to 4.5-fold (grains) difference reported between high and low Zn accumulating cultivars under the same conditions. Additionally, the Zn translocation and remobilisation rate from shoots to grains were also 2-fold greater in Zn-efficient cultivars than others.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis is the first to collect all available data regarding Zn concentrations in barley. The findings demonstrate that Zn concentrations in aboveground parts of barley are highly cultivar-specific and change with substrate Zn. Target Zn concentrations in barley could be achieved through selective breeding and optimal Zn fertilisation. Further investigations revealing the major quantitative trait locus (QTLs) and candidate genes associated with desirable Zn phenotypes would allow better understanding of Zn use mechanisms in barley.

中文翻译：

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用于人类和动物健康的大麦中锌的生物强化途径：荟萃分析

背景和目标

人类缺锌 (Zn) 是全球关注的问题，主要与生长在缺锌土壤中的作物以植物为基础的饮食有关。这项工作探讨了土壤因素和基因型对大麦 ( Hordeum vulgare L.)地上组织中锌积累的影响。

方法

对 1945 年至 2020 年间发表的收集文章数据进行了荟萃分析，这些数据描述了在不同锌可用性水平下生长的植物中大麦芽和谷物中的锌浓度。

结果

生长基质中较高的 Zn 水平导致大麦芽和谷物中的 Zn 浓度增加。值得注意的是，发现锌浓度具有高度的品种特异性，在相同条件下，高和低锌积累品种之间报告的差异为 3.5 倍（芽）至 4.5 倍（谷粒）。此外，锌高效品种的锌从芽到谷粒的转运和再动员率也比其他品种高 2 倍。

结论

该荟萃分析首次收集了有关大麦中锌浓度的所有可用数据。研究结果表明，大麦地上部分的 Zn 浓度具有高度的品种特异性，并随底物 Zn 的变化而变化。大麦中的目标锌浓度可以通过选择性育种和最佳锌施肥来实现。进一步研究揭示主要数量性状基因座 (QTL) 和与所需锌表型相关的候选基因将有助于更好地了解大麦中的锌利用机制。