Biofortification of Crops: Novel Insights and Approaches for Enhanced Nutrient Accumulation

Abstract

Hidden hunger is a worldwide problem that is characterized by insufficient intake of micronutrients, which are necessary for optimal human health. Biofortification of food crops is an effective and efficient strategy to alleviate human nutrient deficiencies. It has the ability to increase the nutrient content in the edible parts of the plants. This potent agronomic tool is employed to increase the accumulation of nutrients such as mineral elements, amino acids, and vitamins among others. The main factors that determine the success of biofortification are plant-/crop-dependent, such as the genotypes’ nutrient accumulation mechanisms, and others, namely environmental conditions, and consumer or public acceptance. In general, two complementary approaches of plant biofortification, the agronomic and the biotechnological tools, are adopted. In the agronomic approach, the nutrients accumulation is enhanced through the application of fertilizers and biostimulants or the management of cultivation conditions. Alternatively, in the latter, crops with higher nutrient concentration or bioavailability are developed using breeding (including molecular) or genetic engineering techniques. Indeed, novel gene or genome editing tools are gaining prominence in the generation of biofortified crops. Application of these strategies has enabled enhancement of biosynthetic pathway of organic nutrients or decreased the concentration of antinutrients or increased nutrient transport to the edible parts. Thus, plant transporters are crucial targets for attaining optimal nutrient movement to and within the plant. Also, it is pertinent to continue to deepen our knowledge about the mechanisms of nutrients accumulation in the plant and their bioavailability for humans and animals and identifying ways and means to modify them to obtain plants with higher nutritional quality.