Biofortification of staple crops to eliminate human malnutrition: contributions and potential in developing countries

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Kiran, A., Wakeel, A., Mahmood, K., Mubaraka, R., Haefele, H. and Haefele, S. M. 2022. Biofortification of staple crops to eliminate human malnutrition: contributions and potential in developing countries. Agronomy. 12 (2), p. 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020452

AuthorsKiran, A., Wakeel, A., Mahmood, K., Mubaraka, R., Haefele, H. and Haefele, S. M.
Abstract

Micronutrient malnutrition is a global health challenge affecting almost half of the global population, causing poor physical and mental development of children and a wide range of illnesses. It is most prevalent in young girls, women, and pre-school children who are suffering particularly from the low consumption of vitamins and micronutrients. Given this global challenge, biofortification has proven to be a promising and economical approach to increase the concentration of essential micronutrients in edible portions of staple crops. Produce quality and micronutrient content can be further enhanced with the use of micronutrient fertilizers. Especially developing countries with a high percentage of malnourished populations are attracted to this integrated biofortification, combining modern agronomic interventions and genetic improvement of food crops. Consequently, maize, rice, wheat, beans, pearl millet, sweet potato, and cassava have all been biofortified with increased concentrations of Fe, Zn, or provitamin A in various developing countries. Today, there are several large-scale success stories in Africa and Asia that support the research and development of biofortified crops. In this review, we summarized what has been achieved to date and how edible crops can be further improved by integrating agronomic and genetic strategies to upgrade the nutritional status of children and adults around the world.

KeywordsMicronutrients; Developing countries; Agronomic biofortification; Genetic biofortification; Malnutrition; Hidden hunger
Year of Publication2022
JournalAgronomy
Journal citation12 (2), p. 452
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020452
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Publisher's version
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online11 Feb 2022
Publication process dates
Submitted08 Feb 2022
PublisherMDPI
ISSN2073-4395

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