Abstract
Micronutrient malnutrition is a global health issue and needs immediate attention. Over two billion people across the globe suffer from micronutrient malnutrition. The widespread zinc (Zn) deficiency in soils, poor zinc intake by humans in their diet, low bioavailability, and health consequences has led the research community to think of an economic as well as sustainable strategy for the alleviation of zinc deficiency. Strategies like fortification and diet supplements, though effective, are not economical and most people in low-income countries cannot afford them, and they are the most vulnerable to Zn deficiency. In this regard, the biofortification of staple food crops with Zn has been considered a useful strategy. An agronomic biofortification approach that uses crop fertilization with Zn-based fertilizers at the appropriate time to ensure grain Zn enrichment has been found to be cost-effective, easy to practice, and efficient. Genetic biofortification, though time-consuming, is also highly effective. Moreover, a Zn-rich genotype once developed can also be used for many years without any recurring cost. Hence, both agronomic and genetic biofortification can be a very useful tool in alleviating Zn deficiency.
Highlights
Food and nutritional security are key to human health
Over 2 billion people are affected by micronutrient deficiency [6,7]. This micronutrient malnutrition can be attributed to consumption of a diet having low micronutrient content and low dietary diversity
The higher effectiveness of Zn applied at the milking stage through the foliar application method might be because of active photo-assimilation allocation to the reproductive sink that caused the mobilization of micronutrients to the sink organs
Summary
Food and nutritional security are key to human health. Food insecurity, imbalanced diet, consumption of food grains with poor nutritional quality, lack of dietary diversity, etc. The increase in the cultivation of cereal crops and cash crops in the intensive cropping systems have caused a reduction of diversity in the diet as well as micronutrient uptake [4] This is especially true in rural areas of developing countries, where the human diet is largely based on cereal. Over 2 billion people are affected by micronutrient deficiency [6,7] This micronutrient malnutrition can be attributed to consumption of a diet having low micronutrient content and low dietary diversity. We need suitable intervention like biofortification to make nutritionally superior food available to every person in the world at an affordable cost In this direction, biofortification of staple food grains like rice, wheat, and maize with zinc and their inclusion in the human diet can help in alleviating zinc malnutrition
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