Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and other mammals. Most dietary Se is derived from crops. To develop a Se biofortification strategy for wheat, the effect of selenate fertilization and bacterial inoculation on Se uptake and plant growth was investigated. YAM2, a bacterium with 99% similarity to Bacillus pichinotyi, showed many plant growth promoting characteristics. Inocul...

More than 50% of undernourished children live in Asia and more than 25% live in Africa. Coupled with an inadequate food supply, mineral deficiencies are widespread in these populations; particularly zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiencies that lead to retarded growth, adverse effects on both the immune system and an individual's cognitive abilities. Biofortification is one solution aimed at reduci...

Metal hyperaccumulating plants are able to store very large amounts of metals in their shoots. There are a number of reasons why it is important to be able to introduce metal hyperaccumulation traits into non-accumulating species (e.g., phytoremediation or biofortification in minerals) and to engineer a desired level of accumulation and distribution of metals. Metal homeostasis genes have there...

The micronutrients iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) are essential for plants and the humans and animals that consume plants. Increasing the micronutrient density of staple crops, or biofortification, will greatly improve human nutrition on a global scale. This review discusses the processes and genes needed to translocate micronutrients through the plant to the developing seeds, and potent...

In 2005, scientists within several UK-based academic and industrial organizations came together to work on a research project, funded jointly by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and several industry partners. The project was entitled Biofortification through Agronomy and Genotypes to Elevate the Levels of Selenium (BAGELS). The aim of the BAGELS project, which will repo...

Cost–benefit analysis of (iodine) biofortification at farm level is limited in the literature. This study aimed to analyze economic feasibility applying iodine-rich fertilizers (agronomic biofortification) cabbage and cowpea Northern Uganda. Data on costs revenues were obtained from a survey 100 farmers, benefits that would accrue using iodine elicited consumers’ willingness pay (WTP) for iodin...