Rice Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 287-296 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 292 Agronomic interventions, such as the application of bioactive zinc-coated urea (BAZU), have also been effective. Field experiments demonstrated that BAZU significantly increased zinc concentration in rice grains, along with enhancing yield and agronomic efficiency (Shah et al., 2023). Meta-analytical studies further support the effectiveness of agronomic biofortification, showing a substantial increase in both grain yield and zinc content when zinc is applied via soil or foliar spray (Sordi et al., 2021). 7.3 Impacts on yield and nutritional quality The genetic and agronomic interventions have had positive impacts on both the yield and nutritional quality of rice. Transgenic rice expressing the soybean ferritin gene not only showed increased iron and zinc levels in both brown and polished grains but also maintained desirable agronomic traits (Vasconcelos et al., 2003). QTL mapping studies have identified regions in the rice genome that contribute to both high micronutrient content and good agronomic performance, facilitating the development of rice varieties that do not compromise on yield (Swamy et al., 2018; Calayugan et al., 2020). Agronomic biofortification with BAZU has been shown to enhance zinc recovery efficiency and agronomic efficiency significantly, leading to higher zinc concentrations in rice grains and increased paddy yield (Shah et al., 2023). Meta-analytical studies corroborate these findings, indicating that zinc fertilization can increase grain yield by 7% and zinc content by 53% (Sordi et al., 2021). 8 Integrative Approaches 8.1 Combining genetic and agronomic strategies Combining genetic and agronomic strategies is essential for enhancing the nutritional quality of rice. Genetic manipulation, including mutation breeding and genetic engineering, has significantly contributed to the development of nutritionally enhanced rice varieties. These methods have been used to increase essential nutrients such as folate and iron, and to reduce anti-nutritional factors like phytate (Das et al., 2020). Additionally, the integration of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and marker-assisted selection (MAS) has facilitated the precise development of rice varieties with improved micronutrient content and agronomic traits (Swamy et al., 2018; Calayugan et al., 2020). The use of doubled haploid populations has also been effective in identifying stable QTLs for traits like grain zinc and iron concentration, which are crucial for biofortification efforts (Swamy et al., 2018; Calayugan et al., 2020). 8.2 Role of systems biology in rice nutrition Systems biology plays a pivotal role in understanding and improving rice nutrition. Advances in omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, provide comprehensive tools for exploring genetic resources and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying nutritional traits (Rana et al., 2019; Zaghum et al., 2022). These technologies enable the identification of key genes and loci associated with nutritional quality, facilitating the development of rice varieties with enhanced nutritional profiles. For instance, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS) have been employed to accelerate breeding programs by identifying and selecting desirable traits (Rana et al., 2019; Zaghum et al., 2022). The integration of these omics approaches allows for a holistic understanding of the genetic and molecular bases of nutritional traits, thereby enhancing the efficiency of rice improvement programs (Rana et al., 2019; Zaghum et al., 2022) (Figure 2). 8.3 Integrating nutritional improvement into breeding programs Integrating nutritional improvement into breeding programs is crucial for developing rice varieties that meet both agronomic and nutritional needs. Modern breeding techniques, such as gene editing and genomic-assisted breeding, have revolutionized the development of rice with improved grain and nutritional qualities (Lau and Latif, 2019; Patra et al., 2022). These technologies allow for precise modification of genes affecting traits of interest, expediting the development of rice varieties with enhanced nutritional profiles (Lau and Latif, 2019; Patra et al., 2022). Additionally, the use of high-throughput phenotyping platforms and DNA marker-based selection strategies can optimize the selection process, ensuring that nutritional traits are effectively incorporated into new
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