Summary
This review by Cakmak and Kutman, published in Food and Energy Security (2018), synthesises evidence on agronomic biofortification as a practical strategy to combat widespread zinc deficiency in human populations by increasing zinc concentrations in cereal grains. The paper evaluates soil and foliar zinc fertilisation techniques, drawing on field trial data across multiple cereal species and agro-ecological contexts. It is likely to discuss soil zinc availability constraints, crop genotype interactions, and the relative merits of agronomic versus genetic biofortification approaches.
UK applicability
Although much of the underlying evidence base derives from zinc-deficient soils in South Asia, Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the agronomic principles are applicable to UK arable systems where soil zinc availability may be marginal, particularly on sandy or high-pH soils; UK growers and advisers may find the foliar application guidance relevant to premium or health-focused cereal production.
Key measures
Grain zinc concentration (mg/kg); fertiliser application rates (kg Zn/ha); zinc use efficiency; foliar vs soil application comparisons
Outcomes reported
The paper examines the effectiveness of agronomic approaches — principally zinc fertilisation via soil and foliar application — in increasing grain zinc concentrations in cereals such as wheat, rice and maize. It likely reports on zinc uptake efficiency, grain zinc accumulation, and implications for human dietary zinc intake in zinc-deficient populations.
Topic tags
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