Abstract
Biofortification is an emerging cost-effective strategy to address global malnutrition especially in developing countries. This strategy involves supplying of micronutrients such as iron and zinc in the staple foods by using conventional plant breeding and biotechnology methods. Initial step in conventional plant breeding is to screen the natural gene reservoir for existing variation. The objective of this study is to estimate iron and zinc in the brown rice of 192 germplasm lines and to define its role in biofortification programme. Substantial variations among 192 lines existed for both iron and zinc content. Iron concentration ranged from 6.6 ig/g to 16.7 ig/g and zinc concentration from 7.1 ig/g to 32.4 ig/g in brown rice. Iron and zinc concentration were positively correlated implying the chance for concurrent selection for both the micronutrients. Micronutrient-rich genotypes identified in this study opens up the possibilities for the identification of genomic regions or QTLs responsible for mineral uptake and translocation that can be used as donor for developing nutrient enriched varieties.
Highlights
Zinc is an important micronutrient which has critical role in tissue growth, wound healing, connective tissue growth & maintenance, immune system function, prostaglandin production, bone mineralization, proper thyroid function, blood clotting, cognitive functions, fetal growth & sperm production
Zinc is a mineral that promotes immunity, resistance to infection, and proper growth and development of the nervous system, and is integral to healthy pregnancy outcomes. 17.3% of the global population is at risk for zinc deficiency due to dietary inadequacy, though up to 30% of people are at risk in some regions of the world[5]
The current study was conducted in a collection of 192 genotypes of diverse origin to assess the variability in iron and zinc
Summary
Zinc is an important micronutrient which has critical role in tissue growth, wound healing, connective tissue growth & maintenance, immune system function, prostaglandin production, bone mineralization, proper thyroid function, blood clotting, cognitive functions, fetal growth & sperm production. It is required for metabolic activity of enzymes (as a cofactor) involved in repair brain function & replacement of body cells. Zinc is a mineral that promotes immunity, resistance to infection, and proper growth and development of the nervous system, and is integral to healthy pregnancy outcomes. The current study was conducted in a collection of 192 genotypes of diverse origin to assess the variability in iron and zinc
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