Zinc biofortification of maize: Progress and challenges

Abstract

One of the most common health issues affecting women and children in developing nations is zinc deficiency. Zinc is the most widespread micronutrient deficient in soils. The low zinc levels in the soil resulted in reduced yields and crop plants with low nutritional value. Malnutrition can be treated with various strategies, but biofortification is the most effective, practical, longlasting, and socially acceptable approach. Since maize is an important crop cultivated in areas where zinc nutritional deficiency is common, it makes sense to target this crop for zinc biofortification. Agronomic and genetic methods could be used to biofortify maize with zinc. Agronomic ways for biofortification include seed priming, foliage, and soil applications; however, the effects of applying these treatments individually or in combination vary concerning Zn enrichment are: (1) The genetic strategies for zinc biofortification increases zinc accessibility or increasing zinc levels in kernels. (2) Eliminating antinutritional elements or increasing bioavailability contributing factors. This can be done via conventional breeding, genome editing, or transgenic approaches. This review summarizes the status and prospect of zinc biofortification in maize.