Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.5, 278-286 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 278 Feature Review Open Access Agronomic Biofortification: Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies Through Maize Cultivation Jin Zhou, Minli Xu Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: minli.xu@hitar.org Field Crop, 2024, Vol.7, No.5 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0028 Received: 13 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 25 Sep., 2024 Published: 18 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhou and Xu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhou J., and Xu M.L., 2024, Agronomic biofortification: addressing micronutrient deficiencies through maize cultivation, Field Crop, 7(5): 278-286 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0028) Abstract Micronutrient deficiencies pose a significant global health challenge, particularly in regions with limited access to diverse diets. Agronomic biofortification, a promising approach to enhancing nutrient content in staple crops, holds great potential for addressing these deficiencies through maize cultivation. This study explores the concept and methods of agronomic biofortification, focusing on strategies such as soil amendment and foliar application to increase micronutrient uptake in maize. A comparative analysis with genetic biofortification is also provided. Case studies from regions where biofortified maize has been successfully implemented highlight the effectiveness of these interventions. Factors such as soil type, climate, and agricultural practices are discussed in relation to the efficacy of biofortification. The study further examines the positive impact of biofortified maize on human health and nutrition, providing evidence of improved micronutrient intake and health outcomes. The study concludes by discussing future opportunities for expanding biofortification programs, recommending integration with other nutritional interventions, and advocating for increased research and policy support to address global micronutrient deficiencies. Keywords Agronomic biofortification; Maize; Micronutrient deficiencies; Soil amendment; Public health 1 Introduction Micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as “hidden hunger”, affect over two billion people worldwide, predominantly in developing countries (Titcomb et Tanumihardjo, 2019; Avnee et al., 2023). These deficiencies, which include shortages of essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium, have severe health implications, including impaired cognitive and physical development, weakened immune systems, and increased morbidity and mortality rates (Jiang et al., 2020). Despite significant advancements in reducing undernutrition through improved crop yields, the issue of micronutrient deficiencies remains pervasive, particularly among populations that rely heavily on staple crops like maize, rice, and wheat, which are typically low in essential micronutrients (Kiran et al., 2022). Agronomic biofortification is a promising strategy aimed at increasing the micronutrient content of food crops through the application of mineral fertilizers and other agronomic practices (Dhaliwal et al., 2022b). This approach is particularly significant for maize cultivation, as maize is a staple food for millions of people, especially in rural and resource-poor settings (Bouis and Saltzman, 2017). By enriching maize with essential micronutrients such as selenium, zinc, and iron, agronomic biofortification can help address the dietary deficiencies that contribute to hidden hunger (Garg et al., 2018). The process involves the application of micronutrient-enriched fertilizers to the soil or as foliar sprays, which are then absorbed by the plants, leading to increased concentrations of these nutrients in the edible parts of the crops (Teklu et al., 2023). This method has shown promising results in improving the nutritional status of populations, as evidenced by studies demonstrating significant increases in serum selenium levels among women and children consuming biofortified maize (Joy et al., 2022). This study evaluates the effectiveness and potential of agronomic biofortification in addressing micronutrient deficiencies through maize cultivation, explores the current research status of agronomic biofortification, including its benefits, challenges, and factors influencing its success, and highlights case studies and evidence
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