Agronomic biofortification through micronutrient management in maize: A review

Abstract

Most of the health components based foods are boosted by the application of mineral nutrients. Since post green revolution, farmers fertilize the crop for optimum to higher yields which are often overlooked. In addition to higher yield, plant nutrition also affects other human nutritional needs like proteins, oils, vitamins and minerals. Trace elements necessary to human nutrition can be optimized by applying to food crops. Due to various factors like temperature, climate, time of applications, crop adaptability, etc., some nutrients have their own restrictions, and few micronutrients are beneficial and play a significant role in food nutrition making easier access in the plant edible parts by its applications. It is important to note that the foliar application of Zn and Fe at the later crop stage (mid booting stage or early milking stage) is found to be effective than early applications. When compared to related interventions like supplementation and fortification, biofortification was found to be significantly cost-effective in applications to crop and create values for human nutrition.