Introduction to biofortification methods
Crop biofortification means the biological processing of crops so that these crops have improved yield and higher nutritional value. According to a research survey conducted in 2019, around 800 million people in the world suffer from malnutrition. About 98% of the total malnutrition is from people living in developing countries. Over 2 million people worldwide experience hidden hunger, i.e., that the food accessible does not have sufficient nutrient value.
Even in recent years, malnutrition due to micronutrients has increased rapidly. This is because there is a poor intake of food. They do not get the necessary nutrients in their daily diet.
Biofortification is a very feasible and cost-efficient approach. It is easier to deliver the necessary micronutrients to large populations of developing countries. There are three ways to apply biofortification to plants. This is achieved by agronomic practices, Breeding of plants, and genetic engineering.
The techniques of biofortification
The three primary biofortification techniques of biofortification methods are listed here.
- This method uses fertilisers to improve the number of micronutrients in plants through agronomic practices. It is used in soil conditions that are deficient in these micronutrients and minerals.
- Selective Breeding of plants: This technique uses the breeding methods of plants in a traditional way. The genetic variations are sufficiently produced for a particular trait that is desired. Crossing various breeds of plants over many generations is done. Then it finally yields a plant with high nutrients. This is the only technique that is followed in India.
- Genetic modification: This technique uses a DNA genome of an organism to insert the desired characteristic.
The three biofortification methods are elucidated in detail in the other sections.
Biofortification Method-Agronomic practice
Agriculture is the primary source of minerals and nutrients for all humans, especially for the developing country population. Staple Foods are a primary dietary source in most countries. These foods are deficient in many vitamins and micronutrients. The agronomic practice of biofortification is a way to improve the mineral, vitamin and micronutrient contents.
This biofortification method uses fertilisers with micronutrients so that the plant takes the micronutrient. The plant also uses these micronutrients for various plant functions. There is an addition of the bacteria such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to the agricultural soil. This is a popular method because these microbes restore the quality of the agricultural soil, aid in the assimilation of the nutrients, improve the water uptake, and the plant’s growth is improved by the release of various hormones and antibiotics.
This method is a cost-efficient and quick solution to fix the soil. This helps conserve soil fertility by making micronutrients available to plants and increasing the nutritional value of the crops. This method is helpful for crops such as sorghum, maize, cassava, and millet.
Good management of field nutrients has a positive ecological and economic impact. It also improves the availability of micronutrients. This practice is relatively new and used for a few nutrients, such as zinc and iodine. It did not succeed with nutrients such as iron. The success of this method depends on the geographical location where it is practised.
Biofortification Method-Selective Breeding of Plants
Biofortification can be achieved by a method called breeding selective plants. The process of biofortification makes micronutrients available to the parts edible of the plant. Many Breeding and transgenic methods are used in developing countries to improve their staple crops with necessary minerals and micronutrients. One of the most powerful techniques that can be used is selective Breeding. This method involves crossing breeds of the existing varieties that are enriched with the necessary micronutrients.
The biotechnology field is also used in this approach to aid in breeding programs, like molecular marked-assisted segment. This approach increases the breeding success significantly to improve the nutritional value of the plants.
The disadvantage of using this approach of selective Breeding is
- Heritability is low
- Lacking genetic diversity for minerals and micronutrients
- Linkage drag
Biofortification Method- Genetic Engineering
This approach of genetic engineering is preferred over conventional breeding techniques. This is because genetic engineering can produce new varieties faster. This method uses advanced biotechnology concepts. The target of genetic engineering are
- Mineral mobilisation in the soil
- Enhance efficiency
- Diminish anti-nutritional compounds in the soil
- Improve the availability of nutritional compounds
Genetic engineering involves the movement of specific genes from one organism to another. The organisms do not have to be related to each other. This technique was invented in 1973. Ever since then, it has transformed agricultural plants. The modified plants produced by genetic engineering are called transgenics. This technique can add desired traits that can not be found in normal variants. This method is a faster approach than the other methods. Genetic engineering has more scope and applications. This is because it can be incorporated into any gene in a plant directly.
Biofortification benefits
Biofortification is believed to solve world hunger by many research scientists. A few benefits of biofortification are listed below.
- It enhances the overall health of people
- Crops are more resistant to various pests and diseases
- It is a sustainable method
- This approach can reach even the poorest segment of any country
- The addition of essential nutrients can supplement food.
- Once the primary research is done, it is a cost-efficient approach
- India faces a massive challenge with malnutrition and undernutrition; biofortification is the potential solution
Conclusion
Agriculture is the primary source of minerals and nutrients for all humans, especially for the developing country population. Crop biofortification means the crops have improved nutritional value. There are three ways to apply biofortification to plants. This is achieved by agronomic practices, Breeding of plants, and genetic engineering. The use of fertilisers to improve the number of micronutrients in plants is the method of agronomical practices. Biofortification can also be achieved by a method called breeding selective plants. Genetic engineering involves the movement of specific genes from one organism to another. The benefits of this method are enhanced overall health of people, crops are more resistant to various pests and diseases, and the approach can reach even the poorest segment of any country.