Summary
This short review article, published in New Phytologist, examines the concept of biofortification as an agricultural strategy to increase the micronutrient content of staple food crops. Authored by leading soil and plant scientists at Rothamsted Research, it likely synthesises evidence on both agronomic approaches — such as selenium or zinc fertilisation — and plant breeding strategies, assessing their relative feasibility and impact. The piece situates biofortification within the broader challenge of addressing widespread micronutrient deficiencies in human populations dependent on plant-based diets.
UK applicability
The authors are based at Rothamsted Research in the UK, and much of their work draws on UK and European field evidence, particularly regarding selenium and zinc in wheat; findings are therefore directly applicable to UK arable systems and informed subsequent UK policy discussions on selenium status in the food chain.
Key measures
Grain and tissue micronutrient concentration (mg/kg); comparison of agronomic versus genetic biofortification efficacy; human dietary intake implications
Outcomes reported
The paper likely reviews and compares agronomic biofortification (e.g. fertiliser application) and genetic/breeding approaches to enhance concentrations of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, selenium and iodine in edible crop tissues. It probably discusses the potential contribution of biofortification to addressing human micronutrient deficiencies.
Topic tags
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