Abstract
Micronutrient deficiency is most prevalent in developing regions of the world, including Africa and Southeast Asia where pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is a major crop. Increasing essential minerals in pearl millet through biofortification could reduce malnutrition caused by deficiency. This study evaluated the extent of variability of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Na) and macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg) and their relationship with Fe and Zn content in 14 trials involving pearl millet hybrids, inbreds, and germplasm. Significant genetic variability of macronutrients and micronutrients was found within and across the trials (Ca: 4.2–40.0 mg 100 g−1, Fe: 24–145 mg kg−1, Zn: 22–96 mg kg−1, and Na: 3.0–63 mg kg−1). Parental lines showed significantly larger variation for nutrients than hybrids, indicating their potential for use in hybrid parent improvement through recurrent selection. Fe and Zn contents were positively correlated and highly significant (r = 0.58–0.81; p < 0.01). Fe and Zn were positively and significantly correlated with Ca (r = 0.26–0.61; p < 0.05) and Mn (r = 0.24–0.50; p < 0.05). The findings indicate that joint selection for Fe, Zn, and Ca will be effective. Substantial genetic variation and high heritability (>0.60) for multiple grain minerals provide good selection accuracy prospects for genetic enhancement. A highly positive significant correlation between Fe and Zn and the nonsignificant correlation of grain macronutrients and micronutrients with Fe and Zn suggest that there is scope to achieve higher levels of Fe/Zn simultaneously in current pearl millet biofortification efforts without affecting other grain nutrients. Results suggest major prospects for improving multiple nutrients in pearl millet.
Highlights
Micronutrient malnutrition affects more than two billion people worldwide [1,2,3,4]
Association of Iron and Zinc With Other Nutrients in Pearl Millet loses about 4 million children every year to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by from deficiencies of iron (Fe) deficiency or anemia [7], with another 2.8 million children lost to DALYs because of stunted growth caused by Zn deficiency [8, 9]
Evidence suggests that the main cause of hidden hunger in developing countries is the unavailability of essential minerals in staple diets, those comprising cereal-based foods that are inherently low in micronutrients such as Fe, Zn, and vitamin A [13,14,15,16]
Summary
The most prevalent forms of malnutrition are those arising from deficiencies of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), vitamin A, and iodine (I), which occur among women and children in developing countries. Men and women aged between 25 and 50 years require a daily intake of 800 mg of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), 280–350 mg of magnesium (Mg), 2,000 mg of potassium (K), 10–15 mg of Fe and Zn, 2–5 μg of manganese (Mn), and 500 mg of sodium (Na) to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) [10,11,12] This is reason enough for developing public health policies that encourage the consumption of micronutrients at the RDA levels. There are biofortification initiatives in other crops such as lentils [19]
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