SEED-WASTE POWDER AS A SOIL AMENDMENT FOR ENHANCING MICRONUTRIENT BIOAVAILABILITY AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF FOOD CROPS

Abstract

Declining soil fertility and micronutrient deficiencies are important constraints to crop productivity and nutritional quality. This study evaluated seed-waste powder as a soil amendment for improving the growth, yield-related characteristics, and nutritional quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The amendment was incorporated into agricultural soil at 2% (T1), 5% (T2), and 10% (T3), while untreated soil served as the control (T0). Wheat growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, fresh biomass, dry biomass, and leaf area, were evaluated along with iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), protein, and fiber contents. Progressive improvement in wheat growth was observed with increasing amendment concentration. Plant height increased from 22.5 cm in the control to 25.3, 28.7, and 31.5 cm at 2%, 5%, and 10% amendment, respectively. Similarly, leaf number increased from 8 to 14, while fresh biomass increased from 45 to 80 g and dry biomass from 7.5 to 14.3 g. Leaf area increased from 120 to 195 cm². Nutritional parameters also improved, with Fe increasing from 2.5 to 4.6 mg/100 g and Zn from 1.4 to 2.9 mg/100 g. Protein and fiber contents increased from 2.8% and 0.8% in the control to 4.5% and 1.6%, respectively, at 10% amendment. Overall, seed-waste powder demonstrated potential as a sustainable soil amendment for enhancing wheat growth and nutritional quality, with the 10% treatment producing the greatest improvement among the tested concentrations.