Alleviation of zinc deficiency in plants and humans through an effective technique; biofortification: A detailed review

• Published in: Acta ecologica Sinica 2023-06, Vol.43 (3), p.419-425
• Main Authors: Younas, Noman, Fatima, Iza, Ahmad, Iftikhar Ali, Ayyaz, Muhammad Khubaib
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofortification; Human health; Organic amendments; Sustainable agriculture; Zinc deficiency
• ISSN: 1872-2032; 1872-2032
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2022.07.008

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in soil is an important restriction for the production of crops and a well-known human health issue. In semi-arid and arid regions of the world, deficiency of zinc is very common due to an increase in fixation and decrease in solubility. Zinc deficiency is a growing health concern, with 20.6% of children having zinc concentrations below 60 g/dL. Geographically there is a very close relationship between zinc deficiency in soil and humans which represents the soaring necessity for zinc biofortification in crops. Zinc biofortification of crops can be a cost-effective and long-term strategy for combating zinc insufficiency and preventing morbidity in the target population. The use of organic amendments is very good to overcome this problem by increasing the process of nutrient delivery and improving crop growth and productivity. Food crops that have been biofortified, including grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits, can provide enough micronutrients for the target population. Aside from the challenges, biofortified crops have a promising future in combating hunger.