ABSTRACT
The diets of populations subsisting on cereals are often lacking in micronutrients such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). This can be ascribed partly to crop production failing to deliver proper nutrition. With several recent studies, including peanut-maize intercropping, introduction of aerobic rice, and ground cover rice production system, our recent research progress in soil and crop management has provided the means to resolve complex plant Fe and Zn nutritional problems through manipulating the rhizosphere, managing cropping systems, screening for Fe and Zn efficient species, and applying fertilizers. Soil application at sowing is a preferred option for wheat, and foliar application of Zinc sulfate to barley. Applying Zn in the late growing season of wheat can lead to a high seed Zn concentration. Development of crop cultivars with elevated levels of micronutrients is being increasingly recognized as one of the effective approaches to provide sustainable solutions to various health problems associated with micronutrient malnutrition, especially in developing countries.
