List of Contributors xix
Preface xxix
1 Biofortification of Food Grains in Relation to Food Security 1
Ijaz Rasool Noorka, Muhammad Tamoor Qureshi, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Kadambot H. M. Siddique and Pat (J S) Heslop Harrison
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Agronomic Biofortification 5
1.3 Conclusion 8
References 8
2 Golden Rice Project and Its Impact on Global Nutritional Security 13
Yunus Emre Arvas
2.1 Introduction 13
2.2 Rice 14
2.3 The Place of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Human Nutrition 14
2.4 Biofortification 17
2.5 Golden Rice 18
2.6 Malnutrition 20
2.7 Golden Rice Project and Its Impact on Global Nutritional Security 21
2.8 Conclusion 24
References 24
3 Biofortification of Cereals and Pulses Using New Breeding Techniques 33
Shumaila Ijaz, Javed Iqbal, Banzeer Ahsan Abbasi, Zakir Ullah, Tabassum Yaseen, Ghulam Murtaza, Rashid Iqbal, Sajjad Hyder, Wiwiek Harsonowati, Sobia Kanwal, Tariq Mahmood
3.1 Introduction 33
3.2 Malnutrition a Hidden Hunger 34
3.3 What Has to Be Biofortifying? 35
3.4 Methods to Address Hunger 36
3.5 New Breeding Techniques 37
3.6 Role of Genome-wide Association Studies 42
3.7 Speed Breeding's Part in the Slow Development of Biofortified Crops 42
3.8 NBT-developed Varieties' Regulatory Aspects 43
3.9 Conclusion and Future Perspectives 44
References 45
4 Crops Biofortification through OMICs based Knowledge 51
Imran Khan, Uneebullah Arif, Mohammad Safdar Baloch, Asghar Ali Khan, Muhammad Faisal Shahzad, Qudrat Ullah Khan, Muhammad Amjad Nadim, Umar Khitab Saddozai, Sajid Fiaz, Adnan Noor Shah
4.1 Introduction 51
4.2 Advancements in Omics Technologies 53
4.3 Applications in Healthcare 54
4.4 Challenges and Opportunities 55
4.5 Future Directions 55
4.6 Genomics in Biofortification 55
4.7 Transcriptomics and Proteomics 56
4.8 Metabolomics for Nutrient Profiling 56
4.9 Integration of Omics Data and Multi-omics Approaches 56
4.10 Importance of Biofortification 57
4.11 Conclusion 57
References 58
5 Current Challenges and Recent Advancements in the Adoption of Omics to Enhance Biofortification 61
Zakir Ullah, Javed Iqbal, Banzeer Ahsan Abbasi, Shumaila Ijaz, Aqsa Anjum, Tabassum Yaseen, Ghulam Murtaza, Rashid Iqbal, Sajjad Hyder, Sobia Kanwal, Tariq Mahmood
5.1 Introduction 61
5.2 Omics Technologies 63
5.3 Approaches for Biofortification 65
5.4 Genomics in Biofortification 67
5.5 Regulations, Consumer Acceptance, Opportunities, and Prospects 69
5.6 Transcriptomics in Biofortification 71
5.7 Multi-omics Platforms 71
5.8 Immunity and Infection 77
5.9 Host Microbiome Interactions 77
5.10 Statistical Methods for Present Challenges 78
5.11 Sample Number Versus Molecule Numbers 78
5.12 Recent Challenges and Viewing to the Future 79
5.13 Conclusion 80
References 81
6 Role of Nanoparticles in Improving Biofortification: An Overview 89
Muhammad Zahid, Basharat Ali, Dilawar Aslam, Swaiba Rani, Aqeela Shaheen, Saddam Hussain, Noman Ali Buttar, Yasir Niaz, Shakeel Ahmad, Javed Iqbal
6.1 Introduction 89
6.2 Biofortification of Food Crops: Tackling Malnutrition and Hidden Hunger 90
6.3 Strategies for Crop Biofortification 92
6.4 Nanotechnology-based Approaches for Crop Biofortification 97
6.5 Nutrient-based Nanoparticles in Food Crops and Human Health 97
6.6 Mechanism of Nanoparticle Uptake and Translocation in Plants 99
6.7 Challenges of Nanoparticle-induced Biofortification 103
6.8 Conclusion 104
References 104
7 Role of Seed-priming in Biofortification 113
Qudrat Ullah Khan, Mohammad Safdar Baloch, Nabeel Rizwan, Asghar Ali Khan, Muhammad Amjad Nadim, Umar Khitab Saddozai, Obaid Ullah Sayal, Adnan Noor Shah
7.1 Introduction 113
7.2 Seed Structure 114
7.3 Methods of Seed-priming 116
7.4 Conclusion 117
References 117
8 Selenium Biofortification in Wheat: A Way Forward Toward Nutritional Security 121
Muhammad Shoaib Ismail, Fahim Nawaz, Muhammad Asif Shehzad, Waseem Hassan, Rukhsar Saleem, Adnan Noor Shah, Muhammad Baqir Hussain
8.1 Introduction 121
8.2 Essentiality of Selenium for Animal Health 121
8.3 Role of Selenium in Plant Growth and Development 122
8.4 Uptake, Absorption, and Assimilation Dynamics of Selenium in Plants 123
8.5 Se Biofortification in Wheat 124
8.6 Factors Affecting Se Uptake and Absorption 125
8.7 Conclusion and Future Prospects 125
References 127
9 Scope and Research Perspective of Lithium Biofortification in Crop Plants 131
Muaz Ameen, Athar Mahmood, Sajid Fiaz
9.1 Introduction 131
9.2 Historical Context of Lithium in Agriculture 132
9.3 li Uptake, Translocation, and Accumulation in Plants 134
9.4 Conventional and Novel Biofortification Strategies 135
9.5 Scope of Li Biofortification 137
9.6 Challenges and Limitations 139
9.7 Conclusion and Future Directions 140
References 142
10 Global Action Plan for Agricultural Diversification for Achieving Zero Hunger 145
Maryam Javid, Maria Javaid, Sajid Fiaz
10.1 Introduction 145
10.2 Present Status of Global Food Security 146
10.3 Essential Principles of Agricultural Diversification 149
10.4 Regulatory Framework for Expanding Agricultural Crop Diversity 150
10.5 Techniques for Implementing Agricultural Diversification 150
10.6 Evaluation for Assessing Progress in Agricultural Diversification 152
10.7 Importance of International Corporation 152
10.8 Conclusion 152
References 153
11 Targeting Tissue-Specific Zinc Acquisition in Cereal 157
Azizullah Khalili, Yamin Bibi, and Abdul Qayyum
11.1 Introduction to Tissue-Specific Zinc Acquisition 157
11.2 Molecular Mechanisms of Zn Uptake in Cereal Roots 158
11.3 Enhancing Zn Transporters Expression in Specific Tissues of Cereal 158
11.4 Strategies for Enhancing Zn Concentration in Plant Tissues 159
11.5 Conclusion 163
References 164
12 Combating Mineral Malnutrition Through Iron Biofortification in Cereal Crops 169
Ambrin Rajput, Qurban Ali Panhwar, Umed Ali, Hafeezullah Babar
12.1 Introduction 169
12.2 Mineral Nutrients 170
12.3 Mineral Malnutrition 173
12.4 Causes of Malnutrition in Plants 173
12.5 Biofortification 174
12.6 Iron Biofortification for Combating Malnutrition in Cereal Crops 178
12.7 Conclusion 180
12.8 Future Prospects, Challenges, and Recommendations 180
12.9 Recommendations and Challenges 180
References 181
13 Selenium Biofortification in Horticultural Crops 187
Ghulam Murtaza, Zeeshan Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Usman
13.1 Introduction 187
13.2 Selenium in Horticultural Plants/Crops 188
13.3 Enrichment of Horticultural Crops with Selenium 188
13.4 Biofortification of Horticultural Crops and Plants with Selenium 189
13.5 Beneficial Effects of Selenium Supplementation on the Production, Quality, and Senescence of Leafy Vegetables 191
13.6 Impact of Selenium Fortification on Fruit Crops: Its Influence on Crop Yield, Fruit Quality, and Senescence 192
13.7 Selenium Metabolism 195
13.8 Conclusion 195
References 196
14 Magnesium Mysteries Unveiled: Insights into Its Impact on Plants and Human Health and Biofortification Strategies to Enhance Magnesium Content in Cereal Crops 201
Umed Ali, Maqsood Ahmed Khaskheli, Ambrin Rajput, Tahmina Shar, Mahpara Khatoon Bhutto, Ghulam Hussain Jatoi
14.1 Introduction 201
14.2 Functions of Magnesium in Plant Systems 203
14.3 Detecting Magnesium Deficiency and Toxicity in Plants, Symptoms, and Threshold Values 207
14.4 Transport Mechanism of Magnesium in Plant Systems 208
14.5 Magnesium's Functions in the Human Body and the Health Issues Caused by Low Magnesium Intake 211
14.6 The Role of Magnesium in Improving Quality Characters of Cereal Crops 212
14.7 Biofortification Techniques for Enhancing Mineral Nutrition in Crop Plants 214
14.8 Conclusion 221
References 222
15 Combating Fe Biofortification Under Heavy Metal Pollution 233
Ijaz Rasool Noorka, Muhammad Tamoor Qureshi, Mohamed Behnassi, Kafeel Ahmad, Muhammad Amjed Nawaz, Muhammad Salman Hameed, FNU Abdullah, Bilal Ahmad Khan
15.1 Introduction 233
15.2 Effect of Heavy Metals on Plants 235
15.3 Remediation Techniques 236
15.4 Micronutrients to Reduce Heavy Metals Toxicity 236
15.5 Strategies to Improve Micronutrient Deficiency in Plants 236
15.6 Role of Biofortification Approaches to Mitigate Heavy Metals Toxicity 237
15.7 Fe Alleviates the Toxicity of Heavy Metals 237
15.8 Conclusion 238
References 238
16 Biofortification in Vegetables: Enhancing Nutritional Value for Improved Human Health 243
Waseem Hassan, Sundas Riaz, Muhammad Asif Shehzad, Muhammad Nawaz, Ahmad Mahmood, Umair Riaz, Shakeel Ahmad, Muhammad Imran, Muqarrab Ali, Adnan Noor Shah
16.1 Introduction 243
16.2 Nutritional Challenges and Opportunities in Vegetables 244
16.3 Biofortification Techniques in Vegetable Crops 248
16.4 Nutritional Enhancement of Specific Vegetables Through Biofortification 252
16.5 Impact of Biofortified Vegetables on Human Health 254
16.6 Challenges and Future Directions 255
16.7 Conclusion 257
References 257
17 Genetic Engineering for Crop Biofortification 263
Taufiq Nawaz, Dillon Nelson, Anam Saleem, Marya Bibi, Nitish Joshi, Shah Fahad, Shah Saud, Muhammad Adnan, Muhammad Nasir Rasheed Khan, Shah Hassan, Tanzeel Ur Rahman, Muhammad Aaqil, Maqzia Mushtaq, Imran Khan
17.1 Introduction to Genetic Engineering in Agriculture 263
17.2 Need for Biofortification 264
17.3 Biofortified Crops: An Overview 266
17.4 Genetic Modification Techniques 267
17.5 Regulatory and Ethical Considerations 269
17.6 Environmental Impact Assessment of GM Biofortified Crops 269
17.7 Ecological Disruption in the Context of GM Biofortified Crops 270
17.8 Impact on Nontarget Organisms 272
17.9 Soil and Water Quality 273
17.10 Strategies for Minimizing Negative Environmental Effects 273
17.11 Genetic Modifications and Agronomic Performance in Biofortified Crops 276
17.12 Multi-Biofortification Approaches 276
17.13 Targeted Nutrient Delivery 277
17.14 Integration with Traditional Breeding Programs 278
17.15 Global Perspectives on Biofortification 279
17.16 Regulatory Framework and Policy Implications 279
17.17 Technological Advancements and Innovations 280
17.18 Future Prospects and Research Directions 281
17.19 Conclusion 282
References 282
18 Development of Biofortified Crops through Marker-Assisted Selection 295
Muhammad Adeel Ghafar, Muhammad Majeed, Konain Zahra Maqbool, Waseem Ahmed Khattak, Usama Ahmad Khan, Arslan Rafique
18.1 Introduction 295
18.2 Importance of Biofortified Crops 298
18.3 Biofortification Types 300
18.4 Marker-assisted Breeding: An Overview 302
18.5 Development of Biofortified Crops through MAS 305
18.6 Vitamin A Biofortification Using MAS 307
18.7 MAS for Bioavailability Enhancement: Use of Solid Dispersion 308
18.8 Conclusion 309
References 310
19 Agronomic Perspective of Improving Iodine Biofortification 315
Muhammad Amjad Nadim, Mohammad Safdar Baloch, Qudrat Ullah Khan, Asghar Ali Khan, Muhammad Faisal Shahzad, Umar Khitab Saddozai, Imran Khan, Adnan Noor Shah
19.1 Introduction 315
19.2 Essential Plant Growth Nutrients 316
19.3 The Use of Iodine 316
19.4 Biofortification of Crops 317
19.5 Biofortification Through Agronomic Techniques 317
19.6 Biofortification of Crops with Iodine 318
19.7 Conclusion 319
References 319
20 Applications of Nanoparticles in Biofortification of Crops: Amplifying Nutritional Quality 321
Zakir Ullah, Javed Iqbal, Banzeer Ahsan Abbasi, Shumaila Ijaz, Mamoona Munir, Tabassum Yaseen, Shobana Sampath, Sobia Kanwal, Hassan Sher, Zahid Ullah, Ahmad Ali, Tariq Mahmood
20.1 Introduction to Biofortification 321
20.2 Nanotechnology and Nanoparticles 326
20.3 Mechanisms of Nanoparticle Uptake in Plants 329
20.4 Factors Influencing Nanoparticle Uptake in Crops 331
20.5 Role of Nanoparticles in Enhancing Nutrient Uptake 332
20.6 Techniques for Nanoparticle Application in Agriculture 334
20.7 Various Methods for Applying Nanoparticles to Crops 337
20.8 Challenges and Considerations in Nanoparticle Application on a Large Scale 338
20.9 Impact of Nanoparticles on Crop Nutritional Quality 338
20.10 Studies Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Nanoparticle-based Biofortification 339
20.11 Enhancement of Micronutrient Content in Crops and its Significance 340
20.12 Nanoparticles and Stress Tolerance in Plants 340
20.13 Regulatory and Ethical Considerations 344
20.14 Nanotechnology-based Agriculture Product 344
20.15 Future Directions and Conclusion 345
References 346
21 Zinc Biofortification in Rice - From Conventional Breeding to Biotechnological Approaches 351
Swapan K. Tripathy
21.1 Introduction 351
21.2 High-throughput Phenotyping and Exploring High Zn Donors 352
21.3 Association of Grain Zn with Yield and Quality Traits 353
21.4 Molecular Basis of Zn Uptake and Transport in Rice 354
21.5 Progress in Conventional Breeding 355
21.6 Prospect of Biotechnological Approaches for Development of High Zn Rice 358
21.7 Conclusion 366
References 367
22 Modification in Conventional Methods and Modern Plant Breeding Techniques to Enhance Genetic Gain for Future Food Security 377
Afifa Younas, Nadia Riaz, Madiha Rashid, Sajid Fiaz, Aasma Tufail, Zahra Noreen, Muhammad Aslam, Mehnoob Ullah Khan, Mehwish Tabassum
22.1 Introduction 377
22.2 Conventional Breeding Techniques for Self-pollinated Crops 378
22.3 Conventional Breeding Techniques for Cross-pollinated Crops 379
22.4 Modern Plant Breeding Technology 381
22.5 Genome Editing 385
22.6 Conclusion 390
References 391
23 Biofortification of Crops and Vegetables to Achieve Food Nutritional Security 395
Fahad Shafiq, Sumera Anwar, Umar Farooq Awan, Zunaira Yaqoob, Sadaf Mehfooz, Maham Ishfaq, Ayesha Ali, Areej Fatima, Ruqayya Ali, Areeba Azhar, Iqra Mukhtar, Minahil Sheikh, and Muhammad Ashraf
23.1 Introduction 395
23.2 Sustainable Developmental Goal 2: Nutritional Food Security 396
23.3 Biofortification: Improving Nutritional Status in Edible Plant Parts 396
23.4 Approaches to Enhance the Nutritional Quality of Crops and Vegetables 396
23.5 Role of Soil Microflora for the Biofortification 398
23.6 Current Avenues in Biofortification 398
23.7 Potential Limitations and Challenges 406
References 406
24 Genetic Diversity and Crop Genome-wide Association Studies to Identify Biofortified Traits for Micronutrients 415
Praviinkumar R
24.1 Introduction 415
24.2 Genomic Biofortification Strategies 416
24.3 Capturing the Common Variation in Genome 416
24.4 Micronutrient Phenotyping 418
24.5 Genomic Traits Associated with Micronutrients 419
24.6 Population Structure 421
24.7 Marker Trait Analysis of Biofortified Traits 422
24.8 Result and Validation - Genome-wide Significance 423
24.9 Future Prospects 424
24.10 Conclusion 425
References 425
25 Modification of Conventional Methods and Modern Plant Breeding Techniques to Enhance Genetic Gain for Future Food Security 429
Saira Sattar, Razia Sultana, Hiddayatullah, Ikram Ullah
25.1 Objective of Study 429
25.2 Introduction 429
25.3 Nonconventional Techniques in Crop Development 432
25.4 Nanobiotechnology 435
25.5 Conclusion 435
References 435
26 Nanofertilizers for Growing Fortified Crops: A Need of the Day 439
Umair Ashraf, Muhammad Naveed Shahid, Shiza Ayaz Khilji, Munazza Kiran, Sammina Mahmood, Iqra Yousaf, Shakeel Ahmad Anjum, lin li
26.1 Introduction 439
26.2 Why Nanofertilizers? 440
26.3 Role of Different Nanofertilizers 441
26.4 Role of NFs of Major Nutrients to Enhance Crop Productivity 443
26.5 Nanofertilizers for Stress Management 444
26.6 Efficacy of Different Nanomaterial-based Nanofertilizers 444
26.7 Biofortification of Food Crops from Conventional to Modern Approaches 446
26.8 Nanonutrition for Biofortification in Crops 447
26.9 Benefits and Challenges of Nanofertilizer-based Crop Biofortification 450
26.10 Summary and Future Perspectives 451
References 451
Index 459
