### Quality Parameters
#### 2.6.2 Ash Contents (Mineral Contents)  
The ash contents in each grain sample were determined by following the procedure mentioned in AACC [38]. The whole grain sample taken in pre-weighed crucibles were on Bunson burner before incinerating in the muffle furnace where a temperature of 550 \({}^{\circ}\)C was maintained until the sample converted to gray whitiish residue. \[\text{Ash contents }(\%)=\frac{\text{Weight of residue}}{\text{Weight of sample}}\times 100 \tag{3}\]2.6.3. Nitrogen and Crude Protein in Grain Samples  
Nitrogen contents in wheat grains samples were determined by Kjeldahl method [39]. The crude protein concentration was calculated by multiplying nitrogen concentration in grain samples with a conversion factor of 5.7 [40]. 2.6.4. Zinc Contents in Grain Samples  
Air-dried and ground, grain sample (1 g) was placed in the digestion flask and tri-acid (HNO\({}_{3}\), H\({}_{2}\)SO\({}_{4}\), HClO\({}_{4}\)) reagent (10 mL) was added and held overnight. The samples were heated on the hot plate carefully the next day until the production of red NO\({}_{2}\) fumes was ceased. The flasks were allowed to cool down and then 2-4 mL HClO\({}_{4}\) (70%) was added. The samples were heated again to reduce volume via evaporation. When the vapors were condensed, contents of the flask were transferred to a volumetric flask (50 mL) and volume was made up to the mark with DDW. For control, the same procedure was performed except it was without a grain sample. Samples were then filtered and used for Zn determination via atomic absorption spectrophotometer ([PERSON], Analyst 100, Waltham, MA, USA). A calibration curve was prepared by using working standards prepared from the stock solution. The stock solution was made by dissolving ZnSO\({}_{4}\)-7H\({}_{2}\)O (4.398 g L\({}^{-1}\)). The sub-stock solution of 100 ppm was prepared by taking 10 mL stock solution in a 100 mL flask. The volume was made with DDW. The working standards of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg L\({}^{-1}\) were prepared by taking sub-stock solution. 2.6.5. Statistical Analysis  
A computer-based software i.e., Statistix v. 8.1 (Analytical Software, Tallahassee, FL, USA) was used to calculate analysis of variance for the collected data and treatment means were compared by least significant difference (LSD) test at \(\alpha\) = 0.05 [41]. 3.1. Growth Parameter  
All treatments i.e., Zn coated, Zn blended, and bio-activated Zn coated urea showed a statistically significant (\(p<0.05\)) effect on growth parameters but the maximum increase was recorded in the treatment where 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea was applied. Figure 2a shows a significant effect of Zn coated urea on plant height as compared to the control treatment where no Zn was applied. With the application of 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea (87.5 cm), an increase of 25.33 and 2.6% was recorded in plant height as compared to the control (65.3 cm) and recommended Zn as ZnSO\({}_{4}\) (85.16 cm) treatments, respectively. With the application of recommended Zn, 1.5% Zn coated (86.8 cm) and 1.5% Zn blended urea (80.7 cm), an increase of 23.28, 24.76, and 19.01%, respectively, were observed compared to the control. While the treatment where only Zn solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) were used (66.5 cm), 1.75% increase compared to the control was observed. The application of 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea caused an increase of 0.8 and 8.5% in plant height as compared to 1.5% Zn coated and 1.5% Zn blended urea, respectively. Bio-activation and coating of Zn on urea showed a significant effect (\(p<0.05\)) on spike length of wheat as shown in Figure 2b. The data clearly showed that the application of 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea (11.25 cm) caused the maximum increase (33.95%) compared to the control (7.43 cm). The application of ZSB (8.50 cm) showed an almost 29% increase over the control. The application of 1.5% Zn coated (10.50 cm) and 1.5% Zn blended urea (9.50 cm) showed 29.23 and 33% increase, respectively.