Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Rice for Diminishing Malnutrition in South Asia

Zinc (Zn) is increasingly recognized as an essential trace element in the human diet that mediates a plethora of health conditions, including immune responses to infectious diseases. Interestingly, geographical distribution dietary Zn deficiency overlaps with soil deficiency. In South Asia, malnutrition high due excessive consumption rice low content. Interventions such diversification, food fortification, supplementation, and biofortification are followed address malnutrition. Among these, most encouraging, cost-effective, sustainable for Asia. Biofortification through conventional breeding transgenic approaches has been achieved cereals; however, if deficient Zn, then these not advantageous. Therefore, this article, we review strategies enhancing concentration agronomic timing, dose, method fertilizer application, how nitrogen phosphorus application well crop establishment methods influence rice. We also propose data-driven recommendations anticipate fertilization targeted policies support regions where high.