Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.5, 278-286 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 281 root characteristics, improving nutrient translocation, and using biofortified crop varieties work alongside optimizing soil quality and moisture. Fertilizer innovations, including foliar applications, chelated forms, and nanofertilizers, aim to boost nutrient uptake at critical growth stages. Agronomic practices like precision nutrient placement and seed treatment further enhance the efficiency of nutrient absorption, leading to better crop nutrition and higher yields. These interventions collectively target improved nutrient use efficiency and sustainable agricultural productivity. Figure 2 Agronomic, soil, fertilizer, and crop management based interventions to enhance the success of agronomic biofortification (Adopted from Bhardwaj et al., 2022) 4.2 Foliar applications for boosting micronutrient uptake Foliar application is another effective method for biofortifying maize with essential micronutrients. This technique involves spraying nutrient solutions directly onto the leaves, allowing for rapid absorption and utilization by the plant. Studies have demonstrated that foliar application of micronutrients such as Zn, Fe, and Se can significantly increase their concentrations in crops. For example, foliar application of zinc sulfate has been effective in biofortifying winter wheat, increasing grain Zn content. Additionally, foliar feeding of a micronutrient mixture containing Zn, Fe, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) has been shown to enhance the yield and nutritional quality of wheat (Aziz et al., 2019). The use of nano-Zn foliar sprays, in combination with plant growth-promoting bacteria, has also been identified as a sustainable approach to improve Zn biofortification in wheat (Jalal et al., 2023). 4.3 Integration of biofortification methods into existing agricultural practices Integrating biofortification methods into existing agricultural practices involves combining soil-based and foliar applications with conventional farming techniques to enhance the micronutrient content of maize. This integrated approach ensures that biofortification efforts are sustainable and effective in the long term. For instance, the use of high-efficiency fertilizers, such as nano-fertilizers and chelated fertilizers, can be incorporated into regular fertilization schedules to improve nutrient uptake and translocation (Bhardwaj et al., 2022). Additionally, the selection of crop varieties with high nutrient use efficiency and the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria can further enhance the effectiveness of biofortification strategies. By adapting these methods to site-specific soil and management conditions, farmers can achieve better nutritional outcomes and contribute to addressing micronutrient deficiencies in human populations (Kihara et al., 2020).
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