Enhancing the mineral and vitamin content of maize through plant breeding

Author (s) : J. Seethalakshmi

---

Abstract :
More than 50% of the world's population is malnourished in terms of micronutrients. For low-income rural and urban communities, staple foods of plant origin that frequently have low amounts or low bioavailability of these micronutrients serve as the main sources of vitamins and minerals (iron, zinc, and vitamin A). Through conventional plant breeding, biofortification tries to create crop types with improved micronutrient content. HarvestPlus, a CGIAR biofortification effort, aims to breed and spread crop varieties with increased micronutrient content that can benefit the nutrition of the "hard to reach" rural and urban poor in specified countries/regions (via fortification or supplementation programs). It's crucial to find genetic resources with high concentrations of the targeted micronutrients when trying to increase micronutrient levels in maize  through conventional plant breeding.

Keywords : vitamins and minerals, Maize

Conference Date : 13/11/2020

Pages : 281

Paper ID : 20281