Agronomic Bio-Fortification of Wheat to Combat Zinc Deficiency in Developing Countries

Abstract

C ereal crops including the wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa) are a major source of food and nutrition for the developing nations (Cakmak, 2008). Among cereals, wheat crop is the major source of food it has chief role in the provision of nutrients, energy and proteins around the Abstract | Zinc (Zn) deficiency is well reported problem around the globe causing severe reduction in crop yield and quality. The intake of inadequate foods low in Zn is the major cause of Zn deficiency in humans, especially in developing countries. The deficiency of Zn causes many irregularties in both plants and humans. The Zn deficiency considerably reduced the plant growth, tillers production, chlorophyll synthesis, and crop yield. Moreover, in the case of humans' Zn deficiency causes blindness, lower intelligence quotient (IQ) levels, weaker immune system, and impaired physical and mental development. Wheat crop play a chief role in daily food requirement and calories need in developing countries, however, inherently wheat has lower Zn contents. Moreover, soil Zn deficiency further increasing the problem of low Zn contents in wheat grain. Thus, the finest way to combat the Zn deficiency is to produce the grains of wheat having desirable Zn contents at farmer's field. The breeding and agronomic (fertilizer application) bio-fortification approaches are important ones to increase Zn concentration in wheat grains up to desirable levels. The genetic techniques are costly, and sustainable, however, they are long term and requires large breeding activities and resources. Conversely, agronomic techniques appear to be short term, quick and economic solution to increase the Zn contents to meet human needs. The application of Zn as foliar sprays, seed priming, soil application and soil+foliar application effectively enhanced Zn uptake and grain Zn contents. Zn fertilization also maintains desirable Zn availability in soil solution and maintains the Zn pools in plant tissues during later stages thus resulting in an increase in Zn accumulation in wheat grains. Therefore, in this review, we discussed roles of Zn in plants and humans and possible strategies to combat Zn deficiency in humans. Additionally, challenges for agronomic and breeding strategies and possible benefits of both these strategies also discussed in this review.

Effect of Different Organic Mulches and Nitrogen Sources on the Productivity of Wheat Crop Grown in Semi-Arid Area

“…It is staple food of Pakistan and during the 2019-20 wheat was grown on 8825 thousand acres and production remained at 24.94 million tonnes (GoP, 2020). Wheat is an important source of calories, proteins, minerals and carbohydrates for human being (Chattha et al, 2017a(Chattha et al, , b, 2018Hassan et al, 2019aHassan et al, , 2021. However, many issues including inappropriate fertilizers, lack of irrigation water, un-availability of certified seeds, prolonged drought and heat stress and weeds infestation are continuously decreasing production of wheat and other crops across the globe (Zain et al, 2017;Hassan et al, 2020a, b;Muhsin et al, 2021).…”

Mulberry based zinc nano-particles mitigate salinity induced toxic effects and improve the grain yield and zinc bio-fortification of wheat by improving antioxidant activities, photosynthetic performance, and accumulation of osmolytes and hormones

“…Bio-fortification is an important strategy globally, to improve the grain Zn concentration and fulfill human needs ( Hassan et al, 2019b ). This approach involves the use of both agronomic and breeding practices to improve grain Zn ( Hassan et al, 2021 ). Breeding approaches are costly and time demanding ( Hassan et al, 2021 ), and agronomic approaches may be a quick solution to solve this problem ( Hassan et al, 2021 ).…”

“…This approach involves the use of both agronomic and breeding practices to improve grain Zn ( Hassan et al, 2021 ). Breeding approaches are costly and time demanding ( Hassan et al, 2021 ), and agronomic approaches may be a quick solution to solve this problem ( Hassan et al, 2021 ). The agronomic approach involves the use of micronutrients by different methods to enhance grain Zn concentration ( Chattha et al, 2017 ; Hassan et al, 2019b ).…”

Effect of Different Seed Sizes and Seed Rates on the Growth and Productivity of Wheat Grown Under Semi-Arid Conditions

“…W heat is an imperative staple food crop cultivated across the globe owing to its higher nutritional value. The grain wheat crop comprises68% carbohydrate, 15.4% protein, 12.2% dietary fiber and 1.9% fat which makes him an imperative food crop for humans (Anjum et al, 2005;Chattha et al, 2017aChattha et al, , b, 2018Hassan et al, 2019aHassan et al, , 2021. In Pakistan is also a largely consumed food crop and it is planted on 8825 hectares and it is producing 24.94 million tons yield to combat food needs in Pakistan (GoP, 2020).…”