Abstract
Hidden hunger, or micronutrient deficiency, is a worldwide problem. Several approaches are employed to alleviate its effects (e.g., promoting diet diversity, use of dietary supplements, chemical fortification of processed food), and among these, biofortification is considered as one of the most cost-effective and highly sustainable. Rice is one of the best targets for biofortification since it is a staple food for almost half of the world’s population as a high-energy source but with low nutritional value. Multiple biofortified rice lines have been produced during the past decades, while few studies also reported modifications in germination behavior (in terms of enhanced or decreased germination percentage or speed). It is important to underline that rapid, uniform germination, and seedling establishment are essential prerequisites for crop productivity. Combining the two traits, biofortified, highly-nutritious seeds with improved germination behavior can be envisaged as a highly-desired target for rice breeding. To this purpose, information gathered from transcriptomics studies can reveal useful insights to unveil the molecular players governing both traits. The present review aims to provide an overview of transcriptomics studies applied at the crossroad between biofortification and seed germination, pointing out potential candidates for trait pyramiding.
Highlights
Micronutrient deficiency (MD), well-correlated with the global hunger challenge, is plaguing the world population, especially people living in developing countries
In view of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), MD can be addressed within the SDG 2—“Zero hunger”, which promulgates to end hunger, improve nutrition, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture [1]
The present review aims to provide the state of the art relative to transcriptomics studies applied at the crossroad between biofortification and seed germination, pointing out potential candidates for trait pyramiding
Summary
Micronutrient deficiency (MD), well-correlated with the global hunger challenge, is plaguing the world population, especially people living in developing countries. To alleviate the status of hidden hunger, different approaches (e.g., promoting diet diversity, use of dietary supplements, chemical fortification of processed food) have been made as part of national and international programs Such programs can be difficult, especially for people in developing countries where poverty and ill-health are highly spread [12]. Biofortification is the process of increasing the nutritional level of food staples, such as rice, by modifying the genotypic make-up through conventional breeding, transgenic approach, and genome editing This approach is considered as one of the most cost-effective and highly sustainable compared with previous approaches because it provides a substantial baseline of bioavailable micronutrients in staple crops [14,15]. The present review aims to provide the state of the art relative to transcriptomics studies applied at the crossroad between biofortification and seed germination, pointing out potential candidates for trait pyramiding
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