Essential trace metals: Micronutrients with large impact

Abstract

Among the metals found in the environment, plants utilize copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc as micronutrients. Understanding of their uptake, behaviour in plant cells, and interactions at the molecular level is essential not only to improve plant nutrition and crop yield but also to improve human diet. The translation of experimental results obtained in model species to crops is an important goal that will eventually help improve micronutrient levels in food. This review collection discusses current state of the art and possible future directions related to the plant-essential metal relationship, including both basic molecular research and applied aspects related to agriculture and human nutrition.