ABSTRACT
Biofortification of staple crops with micronutrients by breeding for higher density of micronutrients in edible parts or by fertilization is an important component of a food systems strategy to address widespread dietary deficiency in human populations. Breeding may be more suitable to enhance provitamin A carotenoids and iron, whereas a fertilizer strategy (agronomic biofortification) may be more effective for selenium, iodine, and zinc. Biofortification of staple crops with micronutrients by breeding for higher density of the micronutrients in edible parts or by fertilization is an important component of a food systems strategy to address the widespread dietary deficiency in the human populations. Transgenic breeding strategies also have an important role to play in the micronutrient biofortification, as shown by the development of Golden Rice. Current plant biotechnology projects are investigating improved the protein and mineral nutrients in cassava and rice.
