Reseach and Implementation Program for the 3rd Phase of the HarvestZinc Project

Phase 3 of the HarvestZinc project is now complete. Phase 3 studied four tasks: (1) Determine the response of newly developed high zinc (Zn) lines from HarvestPlus breeding programs to soil and foliar spray of Zn and other micronutrients; (2) Effect of next generation foliar micronutrient fertilizers and cocktail application of micronutrients (Zn, iodine, iron and selenium) on grain concentrations of micronutrients; (3) Understand the differential response of wheat and maize to foliar zinc fertilization; and (4) Promote and create awareness to facilitate the adoption of the Zn fertilizer strategy at the farmer and policy maker levels. Results from the project are summarized in the Executive Summary. Publications are being prepared for peer-reviewed journals and will be included as they become available.

Phase 4 of the project began in January 2018. New tasks in Phase 4 include: (1) Studying novel soil and fertilizer products; (2) Exploit the synergism between breeding and agronomy; (3) Farmer field trials and use of cocktail micronutrient fertilizers; (4) Compatibility of a cocktail of micronutrients with biocides; and (5) Consumer acceptance and test marketing study.