Agronomic Biofortification

Agronomic biofortification is a research field that aims to enhance the nutritional value of crops by improving the availability and uptake of essential minerals and vitamins in edible tissues. This strategy involves optimizing the agronomic practices of crop production, such as the use of fertilizers, irrigation, soil amendments, and crop rotation, to increase the concentration and bioaccessibility of key micronutrients. Agronomic biofortification has emerged as a promising approach to combat micronutrient deficiencies, which affect over 2 billion people worldwide, particularly in developing countries where staple crops are the main source of nutrients. By improving the nutritional quality of crops, agronomic biofortification can contribute to reducing malnutrition, improving health, and enhancing the productivity and income of smallholder farmers. The most targeted micronutrients for agronomic biofortification are iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium, which are critical for the normal growth, metabolism, and immune function of humans and animals. However, these micronutrients are often deficient or poorly absorbed in plant-based diets due to soil and environmental factors, genetic limitations, and processing methods. Therefore, agronomic biofortification seeks to overcome these barriers by selecting and breeding crops with higher nutrient density, improving soil fertility and management, and applying foliar or seed treatments with micronutrient fertilizers. Agronomic biofortification is also an environmentally sustainable approach to agriculture, as it reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, conserves water, and enhances soil health and biodiversity. Moreover, agronomic biofortification can be integrated with other agricultural practices, such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and climate-smart farming, to achieve synergistic benefits for food security and resilience. Overall, agronomic biofortification is a multidisciplinary and dynamic area of agronomy research that holds great potential for addressing the complex challenges of food and nutrition security in the 21st century. By combining cutting-edge science with traditional knowledge and social innovation, agronomic biofortification can contribute to shaping a more equitable, healthy, and sustainable food system for all.