Conventional zinc fertilisers have limited efficiency due to fixation in soil and low nutrient use efficiency

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the abstract and stated research gap and recommendations and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2024 and 2026, spanning 7 journals. Those papers have been cited 10 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Zn Deficiency-Cd Contaminated Soils: The Effect of Zn Fertilization on the Uptake of Cd and Some Nutrient Elements by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plants (2026) · Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi · doi

  As a result of this study, it was observed that Zn-fertilization in a Zn-deficient, Cd-contaminated soil was insufficient to alleviate Cd uptake in wheat plants, and it can be concluded that the relationship between Zn and Cd and other elements is controversial and may vary depending on the dose, soil properties, the part of the plant, and the growth period.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: soil result observed fertilization deficient contaminated insufficient alleviate uptake wheat plants concluded relationship elements controversial
• Comparative responses of contrasting monsoon rice varieties to zinc feeding approaches under rainfed conditions (2026) · Trends in Current Biology · doi

  There is a need to investigate the responses of different rice varieties to various zinc feeding approaches. There is a lack of information on the most effective zinc application strategies for improving rice yield and zinc content.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there need investigate responses different rice varieties various
• Comparative effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and conventional zinc on growth and yield attributes of cowpea (2026) · Plant Science Today · doi

  Conventional zinc fertilisers have limited efficiency due to fixation in soil and low nutrient use efficiency. There is a need for more efficient fertilisation strategies to improve crop productivity.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: conventional zinc fertilisers have limited efficiency due fixation
• Yield performance and seed quality of wheat under different levels of foliar zinc application at vegetative and reproductive stages (2026) · Acta Biologica Szegediensis · doi

  There is a need to evaluate the interactive effects of wheat varieties and foliar zinc application on growth and yield performances. The effect of zinc application on seed quality and grain zinc concentration needs to be determined.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there need evaluate interactive effects wheat varieties foliar
• Genetic dissection of grain zinc, iron, and yield traits in a CIMMYT bread wheat mapping population to support biofortification breeding (2026) · Molecular Breeding · doi

  The paper identifies the need to understand the genetic basis of grain zinc, iron, and yield traits in bread wheat to support biofortification breeding. It highlights the importance of addressing zinc and iron deficiencies, which affect approximately 2 billion people worldwide.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: paper identifies need understand genetic basis grain zinc
• Assessing Zinc Requirement of Newly Developed Wheat Variety NWB-50 (2026) · Journal of Applied Research in Plant Sciences · doi

  Our findings may not be directly applicable to all agro-ecological regions. We recommend that future research should include multi-location and multi- season trials across diverse soil types and climatic conditions to validate and refine the zinc fertilizer recommendation for the newly developed wheat variety NWB-50. There is also a need to investigate the residual effect of zinc on the next crop, critical soil Zn value for NWB-50, and cost-benefit analysis for different levels of Zn application under different environmental conditions. Testing of zinc coated urea or Zn+ nitrogen fertilization may also improve nutrient use efficiency and lesser production expenses. AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION to

  generalrecommendationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: zinc multi soil conditions different directly applicable agro ecological regions recommend future include location season
• Comparative responses of contrasting monsoon rice varieties to zinc feeding approaches under rainfed conditions (2026) · Trends in Current Biology · doi

  Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of zinc application on other rice varieties. Research is needed to develop more effective zinc application strategies for rice cultivation. Studies are required to explore the potential of breeding programs for developing zinc-efficient rice varieties.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: further studies needed investigate effects zinc application other
• Trade-Off Strategy for Usage of Phosphorus Fertilizer in Calcareous Soil-Grown Winter Wheat: Yield, Phosphorus Use Efficiency, and Zinc Nutrition Response (2024) · Agriculture · cited 10× · doi

  However, it remains unclear whether different P fertilizer types can alleviate the antagonism of P and Zn in the soil and grain and, thus, enhance the Zn nutritional level of cereal crops while maintaining production.

  generalabstractevidence 2/5
  Keywords: remains unclear whether different fertilizer types alleviate antagonism soil grain thus enhance nutritional level cereal

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