Wheat has a special role in providing the required energy and protein of people in developing countries like Iran. Wheat is confronted with nutritional limitations such as little zinc (Zn) and low biological value of protein, which results in hidden hunger and malnutrition. Hence, this research was conducted to study the effect of Zn foliar application on Kohdasht wheat variety performance yield and its quality in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were non-use Zn sulfate (C; control and/or Zn deficient stress condition) and the use of Zn sulfate (spraying 0.5 g L-1 at stem elongation and grain filling stages (T1) and spraying 0.5 g L-1 at stem elongation and 2 g L-1 at grain filling stages (T2)). The result indicated that Zn foliar application increased grain Zn content and yield by improving grain number per spike. Moreover, in Zn treatments, amino acids contents and total Lysine and Threonine were increased that resulted in higher grain protein content in compared to Zn deficient stress condition. On the other hand, Zn application reduced phytic acid (PA) content and molar ration of PA to Zn. It can be concluded that Zn foliar application could yield alleviate malnutrition by increasing grain Zn content and protein, and by decreasing PA and molar ratio of PA to Zn under Zn deficient stress condition. Therefore, fertilizer strategy (e.g., agronomic biofortification) appears as shortterm solution to alleviate malnutrition problem.
