Strategies for Enhancing Zinc Efficiency in Crop Plants

Abstract

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals. Zinc deficiency, widely recorded in many parts of the globe, not only leads to poor yield levels but also causes reduction in the quality of produce and malnutrition in animals and humans. Higher Zn efficiency in crops could be achieved by adopting suitable measures like proper soil and fertilizer management, efficient use of traditional/modified new Zn sources at appropriate time using proper method of application, an appropriate rhizosphere management for harnessing the potential of microbial relationships with host crops, and development of Zn-efficient crop genotypes. In the present chapter, an attempt has been made to encompass each of these options. Wide genotypic variations in Zn efficiency exist in many crops, and a better understanding of the mechanism of Zn tolerance/efficiency and Zn enrichment in edible plant parts of Zn-efficient genotypes could help in identifying key traits/genes which are useful in developing Zn-efficient crop varieties by traditional breeding or genetic engineering methods. More concerted joint efforts of agronomist, soil scientists, plant physiologist, and plant breeders/biotechnologists are required for enhancing Zn efficiency in food crops.