Zinc in crops and human health

Abstract

Zinc has emerged as the most widespread micronutrient deficiency in soils and crops worldwide, resulting in severe yield losses and nutritional quality. Almost half of the soils in the world are deficient in zinc. Since cereal grains have inherently low concentrations, growing these on the potentially zinc-deficient soils further decreases grain zinc concentration. There is a high degree of correlation between zinc deficiency in soils and that in human beings. Zinc is an essential nutrient for human health. There is no life without zinc. Zinc deficiency is the fifth leading cause of death and disease in the developing world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 800,000 people die annually due to zinc deficiency, of which 450,000 are children under the age of five. About one-third of the world’s population suffers from zinc deficiency. The paper describes the role of zinc in crop production as well as human health. It highlights the initiatives of the International Zinc Association in addressing zinc deficiency in soils, crops and humans through increased use of zinc fertilisers.