Effect of Zinc on Fatty Acid Profile of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) Oil

Quality of the oil in oilseed crop is affected by mineral deficiency Zinc is the most dominant micronutrient deficient in Indian soils. The deficiency of zinc in soils means that the crop grown generally has lower level of available zinc and so leads to lower level of zinc in food chain. Zinc (Zn) activates NADPH dependent dehydrogenase for fat synthesis, reduction of nitrates to ammonia prior to amino acids and protein synthesis. Low Zn level in soils may adversely affect chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthesis resulting in poor crop yield.