Abstract
Iodine is indispensable in the diet of humans and other mammals and iodine deficiencies cause serious illnesses. The content of iodine in food (with the exception of marine foodstuffs) does not meet the nutritional needs of humans, and for this reason prophylactic iodination of salt is currently carried out in many countries. Biofortification of plants with iodine can become a widespread, alternative means of supplying iodine-rich foods. In the present study, we discuss the main issues related to the cultivation of plants enriched with iodine. We describe the effect of various forms of iodine fertilizer on crops, such as natural iodine sources, organic iodine, iodate and iodide salts, as well as ways of biofortifying crops: fertigation, foliar and soil application, and by hydroponics. Effective biofortification of plants with iodine increases its concentration to levels corresponding to human nutritional requirements whilst preserving the desirable eating qualities of the plants. Because each species reacts in a specific manner to a particular chemical form of iodine application, fertilization and cultivation methods, and other conditions, the development of proper cultivation technologies is essential to bring about widespread biofortification with iodine.
Highlights
Iodine is a micronutrient essential for the proper functioning of the physiology of humans and animals [1]
Iodine deficiencies are harmful in the diet of pregnant women, because they contribute to permanent foetal developmental disorders and to delayed physical and mental development in children [4]
In food fortified with iodine, this micronutrient has been introduced during a technological process, often in the form of chemical compounds not found naturally in plants
Summary
Krzepiłko et al / Agronomic biofortification with iodine thyroid gland enlargement (goitre), and increases the risk of thyroid and stomach cancer [4]. Agronomic biofortification as the key to enrichment of plants with iodine Biofortification is the process of increasing the nutrient content of edible plants and has gained widespread recognition as a cost-effective way of providing micronutrients to the population. Amongst the commonly available methods of correcting iodine deficiency in the diet, we can distinguish supplementation, fortification of livestock feed and biofortification of plants by agronomic or biotechnological methods [15]. In food fortified with iodine, this micronutrient has been introduced during a technological process, often in the form of chemical compounds not found naturally in plants. Some of it may be lost during the production processes of fortified foodstuffs. The final concentration of this element in the plant depends on the species, growing conditions, type of fertilizer used, soil composition, moisture, pH, and prevailing redox conditions [13,16]
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