Mineral Quantification of Triticum aestivum L. Enriched in Zinc—Correlation between Minerals in Soils and Whole Wheat Flours

Triticum aestivum L. is one of the most produced staple crops worldwide in which its zinc biofortification is of the utmost importance to diminish malnutrition. In addition, the pronounced increase of human population demands a higher food production within quality standards. Zinc plays an important role not only in promoting the maintenance of human health, but it is also linked with plant growth. Under this framework, a zinc agronomic biofortification of Triticum aestivum L. was implemented in an experimental field with two varieties (Paiva and Roxo) in Beja, Portugal. This itinerary comprised two ZnSO₄ foliar spraying along the plant cycle with three different concentrations (control – 0; 8.1 and 18.2 kg ha^-1). Soil analyses (moisture, organic matter, pH, electrochemical conductivity and mineral quantification) and atomic absorption with the mineral quantification (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe, Cu and Zn) of whole wheat flours were carried out. Zinc foliar spraying enhanced Zinc content in both varieties in the flours in which was not observed significant differences between ZnSO₄ treatments. P and K presented higher values in the flours contrasting with Ca and Mg. In general, there was no significant differences between the soil samples in the respective analyses. It was concluded that wheat flour biofortified in zinc can be a product to help overcome malnutrition.