Raw data: Grain Zn concentrations and yields of Zn-biofortified and Zn-efficient rice genotypes under contrasting growth conditions

The data sets reveal grain Zn biofortfication performance of Zn-efficient and Zn-biofortified rice genotypes grown in different seasons in contrasting soils. Specifically, This study investigated grain yields and grain Zn concentrations of Zn-biofortified rice genotypes compared with Zn-efficient and -inefficient genotypes in field experiments in the Philippines in four contrasting paddy soils: one Zn-sufficient and three Zn-deficient with deficiency associated with (1) strongly reducing conditions and high soil organic C content; (2) high soil pH and presence of free calcium carbonate; and (3) strongly-weathered soil. In wet season 2012, results revealed that Zn-biofortified genotypes achieved both grain yield (4.0 t ha-1) and grain Zn concentration (30 mg kg-1) targets compared with Zn-efficient, Check and Zn-inefficient genotypes when grown under Zn-sufficient conditions (IRRI soils). Conversely, when grown in Zn-deficient soils (Bohol and Bukidnon), only the Zn-biofortified genotypes were able to achieve, or come close to, the Zn concentration requirement but not the yield target. Zn fertilization during the wet season 2014 significantly improved grain Zn concentration in Zn deficient soils but not the grain yield suggesting that grain yield was limited by other soil constraints rather than Zn deficiency. Further, results from two seasons in Zn-sufficient IRRI soils revealed that only the Zn fertilized rice genotypes were able to achieve the Zn biofortification target during the wet season, while during dry season, regardless of Zn treatments (no Zn and plus Zn), grain Zn levels were all above the threshold. This suggests that Zn fertilization should be given more importance during the wet season than the dry season particularly in soils with adequate levels of Zn that could become readily available to plants as a result of greater oxidation. Location of experiment: Bay, Bukidon, Bohol and IRRI Years/Season: 2012-2015/ Wet and Dry seasons