Biofortification in Horticultural Crops: Breeding and Biotechnological Approaches for Nutritional Security
Yogendra Pratap Singh
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Katiya, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, 261145, India.
Lalrinchhani Chhangte
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Nagaland, 798627, India.
Lalramchhana
Department of Horticulture Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Mizoram University, Mizoram- 796004, India.
Shubham Jain *
Gyanveer University Sagar, India.
Sukpal
Department of Horticulture, Nehru Mahavidyalaya Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Abhishek Prasad
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology-751003, India.
Deepsa Mohanty
Department of Fruit Science and Horticulture Technology, College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture Technology, BBSR-751003, India.
Khushal B. Muradi
Department of Vegetable Science, Kerala Agriculture University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Biofortification is an effective and sustainable method aimed at reducing micronutrient deficiencies by enhancing the concentration of essential vitamins and minerals in commonly consumed staple crops. Several agricultural approaches are used for this purpose, including conventional breeding to develop nutrient-dense varieties, agronomic practices such as fertilizer application to improve nutrient uptake, and transgenic techniques. This strategy enhances the nutritional quality of crops and guarantees that the edible portions of the plants include vital vitamins and minerals. Iron-enriched beans, zinc-fortified rice, and provitamin A-rich orange sweet potatoes are examples of biofortified crops that have previously shown promise in enhancing public health. Nutritional security might be further improved by future developments in genome editing, marker-assisted selection, and the incorporation of biofortified features into food processing. By incorporating nutrition into agricultural operations and enhancing public health outcomes, the widespread use of biofortified crops can help reduce malnutrition, especially in vulnerable community outcomes.
Keywords: Biofortification, biotechnology, genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), micronutrients uptake, nutrient transport and partitioning, nutritional security