Hidden hunger is emerging as a major contest for agricultural researchers as world population is increasing at high pace and food production is augmenting. Efforts are being made to supplement wheat whole grain with the addition of zinc as a dietary complement. To address the issue field-based experiment was conducted during wheat cultivation season of 2022-23, in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having three replications at NARC, Islamabad to minimize the impact of hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiency) through agronomic biofortification. Four wheat genotypes including an advanced line (Pkistan-2013, Zincol-2016, Borloug-2016, Wafaq-2023 and NR-531) and six zinc management treatments viz. (T₁ = No zinc application  in soil and no foliar application, T₂ = No zinc in soil + foliar application of 0.44 kg ha^-1 at booting, T₃ = No zinc in soil + foliar application of 0.44 kg ha^-1 at booting & after anthesis, T₄ = 11 kg ha^-1 zinc in soil at planting, T₅ = 11 kg ha^-1 in soil + foliar application of 0.44 kg ha^-1 at booting and  T₆ = 11 kg ha^-1 zinc in soil + foliar application of 0.44 kg ha^-1 zinc at booting & after anthesis were tested for this purpose. No application of zinc in soil and foliar application or their combinations served as the control. Yield and growth attributes were also significantly (p < 0.05) improved by combined application (11 kg ha^-1 in soil + foliar application of 0.44 kg ha^-1 at booting) as compared to the other zinc application treatments. Genotype wafaq-2023 was found more responsive regarding growth and yield attributes comparatively. The findings of the present study showed that the combined application methods soil and foliar application of Zn produced good quality grains (more Zn, protein and gluten contents) with a maximum productivity of bread wheat cultivars.

Keywords: Genotypes, biofortification, grain quality, micronutrient, wheat growth