The Role of Zinc in Plant Growth and Enhancing Animal and Human Health
...nce, zinc deficiency is common in agricultural products of Middle East countries, including Iran and Turkey, where bread and rice are the main staple of the people. Various factors result in low rates of zinc absorption specially due to antagonistic effects and increased levels of phytic acid in the agricultural products that would lead to high molar ratios of phytic acid to zinc (PA/Zn) in wheat grain. Such undesirable practices have led to zinc deficiency in the plants, domestic animals and human's food chain in these countries. However, general awareness hardly exists about this important area of plant-animal-human nutrition. Application of Zn-fertilizers to soils with zinc deficiency problems has been associated with improved yield and crop quality for cereals, corn, sorghum, beans, forages and the enhancement of domestic animals and human health. Fertilizer application significantly improves the concentration of zinc in cereal grains and reduces PA/Zn molar ratio. Research shows that the application of zinc improves zinc content of wheat grain (enrichment) and enhances animal and human health. Recently about 30,000 tons (1% of the country's total fertilizer use) of zinc sulfate in forms of complete fertilizers, powdered and granulated zinc sulfate have been used in Iran's agricultural sector. The main sources of zinc for human being include red meat, eggs, pumpkin, and squash. People who suffer from zinc deficiency may take 3 zinc sulfate capsules (50 mg Zn) per week but for people with ulcers or prone to this ailment care should be taken by dissolving a capsule's powder in one to two liters of water with orange juice or preferably vitamin C, or using zinc citrate or zinc gluconate instead of zinc sulfate. Smoking and drinking tea immediately after taking meals should be avoided b...