Microbe-mediated biofortification for micronutrients: Present status and future challenges

Improvement of Soil Microbial Diversity through Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Its Evaluation by -Omics Approaches: A Perspective for the Environment, Food Quality and Human Safety

“…However, certain nutrient limitations in soil, or the absence of belowground interactions that promote nutrient uptake, can result in ‘hidden hunger’, i.e., specific nutritional deficiencies in the food produced. Over two billion people in the world suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, which give rise to dangerous health conditions and diseases, such as birth defect, cancer, cardiovascular conditions, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disorders and mental health problems [ 122 , 123 , 124 ]. A solution to redress nutritional imbalances has been post-harvest fortification of food products, e.g., by adding essential B-vitamin, zinc or iron to flours [ 125 ].…”

“…A solution to redress nutritional imbalances has been post-harvest fortification of food products, e.g., by adding essential B-vitamin, zinc or iron to flours [ 125 ]. Other important approaches that supplement staple food with micronutrients are through the use of chemical fertilizer and nano-fertilizer spraying, and agronomic biofortification, such as conventional breeding and genetic modification [ 124 ]. Additionally, microbe-mediated biofortification is a new and promising alternative to increase bioavailability of plant nutrients [ 124 ].…”

“…Other important approaches that supplement staple food with micronutrients are through the use of chemical fertilizer and nano-fertilizer spraying, and agronomic biofortification, such as conventional breeding and genetic modification [ 124 ]. Additionally, microbe-mediated biofortification is a new and promising alternative to increase bioavailability of plant nutrients [ 124 ]. Biofortification through microbes is obtained by applying various targeted and untargeted management methods to increase soil microbial diversity that solubilize the essential soil minerals and micronutrients and are made easily available for uptake by the plants.…”

“…Biofortification through microbes is obtained by applying various targeted and untargeted management methods to increase soil microbial diversity that solubilize the essential soil minerals and micronutrients and are made easily available for uptake by the plants. Thus, various plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) including bacteria, fungi, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria and mycorrhiza are used to improve plant performance and nutrient content [ 124 ] ( Table 2 ).…”

“…In particular, endophytic microbes appear to be more efficient than rhizospheric microbes due to the fact that they are present in the plant and interact with it more closely compared to rhizosphere, resulting in better health, greater crop production, and enhanced nutritional value [ 124 ]. Moreover, since AMF form the most widespread plant-microbe symbiosis and interact with almost all edible crops, they are the most studied in regard to nutrient level in edible plant tissues [ 107 ].…”