This study was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar and soil nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) treatments of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Adana 99) on grain nitrogen (N), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) concentrations and yields. This study was carried out in 4-factorial trial random plot design under greenhouse. Two different zinc (0.1 and 1 mg kg^-1) and nitrogen doses (200 and 500 mg kg^-1) were applied to the soil and 0%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% urea solutions were foliarly applied to zinc-free (-Zn) and zinc containing (+ Zn, 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O) conditions. For foliar applications, only the flag leaf was immersed 25 seconds into solution. Immersion of the leaves in the solutions was repeated 6 times with a single day intervals. Plants were harvested after grains matured and grain samples were analysed for N, Zn and Fe concentrations.

Statistical analysis showed that average grain Zn concentration was increased 29% with soil applied N and increased 40% with soil applied Zn. Foliar applied Zn increased grain Zn concentration 33% while foliar applied urea resulted with low increases at that value. Soil applied N increased grain Fe concentration 26% whereas soil applied Zn reduced Fe concentration 28%. Foliar applied Zn resulted with 6% increase in grain Fe concentrations. Foliar urea application was not effective on grain Fe concentrations. Results revealed in general that N and Zn-nutrition had significant effect on grain Zn and Fe concentrations. When the plants were supplied with sufficient Zn, both soil and foliar nitrogen treatments increased grain Zn concentrations. It was concluded that sufficient Zn and high N rates promoted Zn and Fe uptake and also their re-mobilization from the vegetative tissues into grains.