Deciphering the impact of cold-adapted bioinoculants on rhizosphere dynamics, biofortification, and yield of kidney bean across varied altitudinal zones.

Agriculture stands as a thriving enterprise in India, serving as both the bedrock of economy and vital source of nutrition. In response to the escalating demands for high-quality food for swiftly expanding population, agricultural endeavors are extending their reach into the elevated terrains of the Himalayas, tapping into abundant resources for bolstering food production. Nonetheless, these Himalayan agro-ecosystems encounter persistent challenges, leading to crop losses. These challenges stem from a combination of factors including prevailing frigid temperatures, suboptimal farming practices, unpredictable climatic shifts, subdivided land ownership, and limited resources. While the utilization of chemical fertilizers has been embraced to enhance the quality of food output, genuine concerns have arisen due to the potential hazards they pose. Consequently, the present investigation was initiated with the objective of formulating environmentally friendly and cold-tolerant broad ranged bioinoculants tailored to enhance the production of Kidney bean while concurrently enriching its nutrient content across entire hilly regions. The outcomes of this study unveiled noteworthy advancements in kidney bean yield, registering a substantial increase ranging from 12.51 ± 2.39 % to 14.15 ± 0.83 % in regions of lower elevation (Jeolikote) and an even more remarkable surge ranging from 20.60 ± 3.03 % to 29.97 ± 5.02 % in higher elevated areas (Chakrata) compared to the control group. Furthermore, these cold-tolerant bioinoculants exhibited a dual advantage by fostering the enhancement of essential nutrients within the grains and fostering a positive influence on the diversity and abundance of microbial life in the rhizosphere. As a result, to effectively tackle the issues associated with chemical fertilizers and to achieve sustainable improvements in both the yield and nutrient composition of kidney bean across varying elevations, the adoption of cold-tolerant Enterobacter hormaechei CHM16, and Pantoea agglomerans HRM 23, including the consortium, presents a promising avenue. Additionally, this study has contributed significant insights-into the role of organic acids like oxalic acid in the solubilization of nutrients, thereby expanding the existing knowledge in this specialized field.

Over-expression of the BnVIT-L2 gene improves the lateral root development and biofortification under iron stress.

The vacuolar iron transporter (VIT) family is responsible for absorbing and storing iron ions in vacuoles. Here, the BnVIT-L2 gene from Brassica napus has been cloned for the first time and was found to be expressed in multiple tissues and organs, induced by iron stress. The BnVIT-L2 protein is located in vacuolar membranes and has the ability to bind both iron and other bivalent metal ions. Over-expression of the BnVIT-L2 gene increased lateral root number and main root length, as well as chlorophyll and iron content in transgenic Arabidopsis plants (BnVIT-L2/At) exposed to iron stress, compared to wild type Col-0. Furthermore, over-expression of this gene improved the adaptability of transgenic B. napus plants (BnVIT-L2-OE) under iron stress. The regulation of plant tolerance under iron stress by BnVIT-L2 gene may involve in the signal of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as suggested by Ribosome profiling sequencing (Ribo-seq). This study provides a reference for investigating plant growth and biofortification under iron stress through the BnVIT-L2 gene.

Tartary buckwheat rutin: Accumulation, metabolic pathways, regulation mechanisms, and biofortification strategies.

Rutin is a significant flavonoid with strong antioxidant property and various therapeutic effects. It plays a crucial role in disease prevention and human health maintenance, especially in anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular effects. While many plants can synthesize and accumulate rutin, tartary buckwheat is the only food crop possessing high levels of rutin. At present, the rutin content (RC) is regarded as the key index for evaluating the nutritional quality of tartary buckwheat. Consequently, rutin has become the focus for tartary buckwheat breeders and has made considerable progress. Here, we summarize research on the rutin in tartary buckwheat in the past two decades, including its accumulation, biosynthesis and breakdown pathways, and regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, we propose several strategies to increase the RC in tartary buckwheat seeds based on current knowledge. This review aims to provide valuable references for elevating the quality of tartary buckwheat in the future.

Liposomes as selenium nanocarriers for foliar application to wheat plants: A biofortification strategy.

In the present work, liposomes have been used as nanocarriers in the biofortification of wheat plants with selenium (Se) through foliar application. Liposomal formulations were prepared using 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and Phospholipon®90H (P90H) (average size <100 nm), loaded with different concentrations of inorganic Se (selenite and selenate) and applied twice to the plants in the stage of vegetative growth. Liposomes enhanced Se uptake by wheat plants compared to direct application. The highest Se enrichment was achieved using the phospholipid DPPC and a concentration of 1000 µmol·L-1 of Se without affecting the biomass, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and the concentration of mineral nutrients of the plants. The chemical speciation of Se in the plants was further investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The results from XAS spectra revealed that most of the inorganic Se was transformed to organic Se and that the use of liposomes influenced the proportion of C-Se-C over C-Se-Se-C species.

Varietal responses to a soil amendment: Balancing cadmium mitigation and mineral biofortification in wheat production.

The application of soil amendment (SA) and the cultivation of low Cd-accumulating varieties have been a widely favored strategy to enable the safe utilization of Cd-contaminated arable land. However, little has been reported on the reciprocal effects of SA on the Cd mitigation and nutritional quality of different wheat varieties. In this study, we evaluated the impact of an SA on agronomic traits, Cd accumulation, translocation and mineral nutrition of 12 wheat varieties in an acidic field with a Cd concentration of 0.46 mg/kg. The results showed that the SA significantly reduced soil DTPA Cd (42.3 %) and resulted in a slight decrease in wheat grain yield (4.24-9.72 %, average 7.62 %). Similarly, the SA significantly reduced grain Cd concentrations (average 61.65 %) while increased the concentrations of beneficial elements such as Mo and Se in all wheat varieties. However, this intervention also led to a reduction in the concentration of essential mineral elements (such as Ca, Fe, and Mn) in whole wheat grain and starchy endosperm, as well as a reduction in their proportion in the bran. Based on genotypic differences, Huaimai 33, Zhenmai 168, Sumai 188 and Yangmai 28 were considered to be the relatively most promising wheat varieties for achieving a balance among food safety, nutritional quality, and economic yield in this region. Taken together, this study highlights the varietal differences in Cd mitigation and mineral accumulation in different wheat varieties in response to the SA, offering new perspectives for phytoremediation and biofortification strategies for Cd-contaminated farmland.

Genotype and ripening method affect carotenoid content and bio-accessibility in banana.

Bananas (Musa spp.) are a target crop for provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs) biofortification programs aiming at reducing the negative impact on health caused by vitamin A deficiency in vulnerable populations. However, studies to understand the effect of ripening methods and stages and the genotype on carotenoid content and bioaccessibility in the banana germplasm are scarce. This study evaluated carotenoid content and bioaccessibility in 27 different banana accessions at three maturation stages and two ripening methods (natural ripening and ethylene ripening). Across most accessions, total carotenoid content (TCC) increased from unripe to ripe fruit; only two accessions showed a marginal decrease. The ripening method affected carotenoid accumulation; 18 accessions had lower TCC when naturally ripened compared with the ethylene ripening group, while nine accessions showed higher TCC when ripened with exogenous ethylene, suggesting that treating bananas with exogenous ethylene might directly affect TCC accumulation, but the response is accession dependent. Additionally, carotenoid bioaccessibility varied across genotypes and was correlated with the amount of soluble starch and resistant starch. These findings highlight the importance of ripening methods and genotypes in maximizing banana carotenoid content and bioaccessibility, which could contribute to improving pVACs delivery in biofortification programs.

Contributions of selenium-oxidizing bacteria to selenium biofortification and cadmium bioremediation in a native seleniferous Cd-polluted sandy loam soil.

Selenium (Se) is a trace element that is essential for human health. Daily dietary Se intake is governed by the food chain through soil-plant systems. However, the cadmium (Cd) content tends to be excessive in seleniferous soil, in which Se and Cd have complex interactions. Therefore, it is a great challenge to grow crops containing appreciable amounts of Se but low amounts of Cd. We compared the effects of five Se-transforming bacteria on Se and Cd uptake by Brassica rapa L. in a native seleniferous Cd-polluted soil. The results showed that three Se-oxidizing bacteria (LX-1, LX-100, and T3F4) increased the Se content of the aboveground part of the plant by 330.8%, 309.5%, and 724.3%, respectively, compared to the control (p < 0.05). The three bacteria also reduced the aboveground Cd content by 15.1%, 40.4%, and 16.4%, respectively (p < 0.05). In contrast, the Se(IV)-reducing bacterium ES2-45 and weakly Se-transforming bacterium LX-4 had no effect on plant Se uptake, although they did decrease the aboveground Cd content. In addition, the three Se-oxidizing bacteria increased the Se available in the soil by 38.4%, 20.4%, and 24.0%, respectively, compared to the control (p < 0.05). The study results confirm the feasibility of using Se-oxidizing bacteria to simultaneously enhance plant Se content and reduce plant Cd content in seleniferous Cd-polluted soil.

Genetic biofortification: advancing crop nutrition to tackle hidden hunger.

Malnutrition, often termed "hidden hunger," represents a pervasive global issue carrying significant implications for health, development, and socioeconomic conditions. Addressing the challenge of inadequate essential nutrients, despite sufficient caloric intake, is crucial. Biofortification emerges as a promising solution by enhance the presence of vital nutrients like iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A in edible parts of different crop plants. Crop biofortification can be attained through either agronomic methods or genetic breeding techniques. Agronomic strategies for biofortification encompass the application of mineral fertilizers through foliar or soil methods, as well as leveraging microbe-mediated mechanisms to enhance nutrient uptake. On the other hand, genetic biofortification involves the strategic crossing of plants to achieve a desired combination of genes, promoting balanced nutrient uptake and bioavailability. Additionally, genetic biofortification encompasses innovative methods such as speed breeding, transgenic approaches, genome editing techniques, and integrated omics approaches. These diverse strategies collectively contribute to enhancing the nutritional profile of crops. This review highlights the above-said genetic biofortification strategies and it also covers the aspect of reduction in antinutritional components in food through genetic biofortification.

Maize gets an iron boost: Biofortification breakthrough holds promise to combat iron deficiency.

This commentary describes recent research discovering that the NAC transcription factor gene ZmNAC78 controls iron intake in maize and its implications for biofortification of this important crop. Using ZmNAC78, iron levels in maize can be more than doubled compared with current varieties.

Effect of selenium and zinc biofortification on the biochemical parameters of Pleurotus spp. under submerged and solid-state fermentation.

BACKGROUND: Pleurotus has a remarkable nutritional and nutraceutical profile due to mineral mobilization and accumulation abilities from the substrate. The present study aimed to observe the effect of single and dual supplementations Se and Zn on biochemical parameters of P. florida, P. sajor caju and P. djamor. Also, the bioaccumulation of the trace elements in fortified mushrooms was estimated. METHODS: Biomass production and radial growth rate were observed on Se and Zn supplemented broth and agar based medium. Furthermore, the influence of Se and Zn supplementation was recorded on the fruit body yield. The colorimetric assays were employed to estimate total soluble protein, total phenol and total flavonoid contents. The antioxidant activity was assayed as DPPH radical scavenging test. While, ICP-AES was performed to estimate the variation in the Zn and Se content of the fruit bodies. RESULTS: The Se supplementation at low rate resulted in improvement in the radial growth rate and biomass production for P. sajor caju. For solid-state fermentation, a better yield was obtained with inorganic salt supplementation in comparison to organically enriched Se straw. The maximum total soluble protein content and total flavonoid content were observed in fruit bodies of P. sajor caju at 4 mg L -1 of Se and Se-Zn respectively. Pleurotus djamor exhibited the highest total phenolic content on Zn supplementation (10 mg L-1). Improved antioxidant potential was recorded with dual supplementations. Salt supplementations caused shrinkage, distortion of the fungal hyphae, and decreased basidiospores with significant amelioration in elemental composition in fortified mushrooms. CONCLUSION: The inorganic salt supplementation increased the biochemical potential of Pleurotus spp. in comparison to organically enriched substrate which could further be used for the development of dietary supplements.

Enhancing salinity tolerance in cucumber through Selenium biofortification and grafting.

BACKGROUND: Salinity stress is a major limiting factor for plant growth, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. To mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity stress on vegetable production, selenium (Se) biofortification and grafting onto tolerant rootstocks have emerged as effective and sustainable cultivation practices. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of Se biofortification and grafting onto tolerant rootstock on the yield of cucumber grown under salinity stress greenhouse conditions. The experiment followed a completely randomized factorial design with three factors: salinity level (0, 50, and 100 mM of NaCl), foliar Se application (0, 5, and 10 mg L-1 of sodium selenate) and grafting (grafted and non-grafted plants) using pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) as the rootstock. Each treatment was triplicated. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that Se biofortification and grafting significantly enhanced salinity tolerance in grafted cucumbers, leading to increased yield and growth. Moreover, under salinity stress conditions, Se-Biofortified plants exhibited increased leaf relative water content (RWC), proline, total soluble sugars, protein, phenol, flavonoids, and antioxidant enzymes. These findings indicate that Se contributes to the stabilization of cucumber cell membrane and the reduction of ion leakage by promoting the synthesis of protective compounds and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity. Moreover, grafting onto pumpkin resulted in increased salinity tolerance of cucumber through reduced Na uptake and translocation to the scion. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results highlight the effectiveness of Se biofortification and grafting onto pumpkin in improving cucumber salinity tolerance. A sodium selenate concentration of 10 mg L-1 is suggested to enhance the salinity tolerance of grafted cucumbers. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of sustainable cultivation practices to mitigate the adverse impact of salinity stress on cucumber production in challenging environments.

Biofortification's contribution to mitigating micronutrient deficiencies.

Biofortification was first proposed in the early 1990s as a low-cost, sustainable strategy to enhance the mineral and vitamin contents of staple food crops to address micronutrient malnutrition. Since then, the concept and remit of biofortification has burgeoned beyond staples and solutions for low- and middle-income economies. Here we discuss what biofortification has achieved in its original manifestation and the main factors limiting the ability of biofortified crops to improve micronutrient status. We highlight the case for biofortified crops with key micronutrients, such as provitamin D3/vitamin D3, vitamin B12 and iron, for recognition of new demographics of need. Finally, we examine where and how biofortification can be integrated into the global food system to help overcome hidden hunger, improve nutrition and achieve sustainable agriculture.

Biofortification with selenium as an alternative to increase the total phenolic compounds in brassicas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The ability of brassicas to accumulate selenium is crucial for their positive effects on health. Selenium improves the immune system and the antioxidant defenses. Selenium biofortification of brassicas has therefore been explored to increase dietary selenium intake in humans. However, the effects of selenium biofortification on bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, are not clear. So, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to answer the question 'What are effects of the biofortification of brassicas with selenium on total phenolic compounds?' Ten studies, which assessed the effect of selenium biofortification on total phenolic compounds, were selected for qualitative synthesis and four studies were included in the meta-analysis after a thorough literature review of the PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Knowledge databases. The quality of the evidence ranged from high to moderate. The meta-analysis results indicated that the total phenolic compound content was significantly higher (P = 0.002) in the supplemented group but the results showed considerable heterogeneity (P < 0.00001, I2 = 97%) between studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the effect of Se biofortification on the increase in the content of total phenolic compounds and it suggests that several factors can affect this relationship. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The potential of biofortification technologies for wheat and rice to fill the nutritional Zn intake gap in China.

BACKGROUND: Zinc (Zn) deficiency in humans is of worldwide concern. The objective of this study was to investigate the Zn intake gap in Chinese adults and identify the potential role of biofortification technologies for wheat and rice, including crop nutrient management and breeding, in filling the gap. RESULTS: We use data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2011 to identify food consumption patterns and dietary Zn intake of 4512 adults to define and quantify the Zn intake gap in the population. The dietary Zn intake gap of surveyed adults ranged from -0.8 to 6.53 mg day-1 across nine provinces and differences were associated with differences in food consumption patterns. Both dietary Zn intake and Zn gap for males were higher than for females. The potential of changes in five management strategies (improved nitrogen fertilization, improved phosphorus fertilization, foliar Zn fertilization, improved water management and growing varieties reaching the grain Zn breeding target) was analyzed. Breeding and foliar Zn fertilization were shown to be the two most effective management strategies that could increase dietary intake by 1.29 to 5 mg Zn day-1 dependent on sex and province. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the Zn gap varied across regions in China, with some large enough to warrant interventions. Wheat and rice as two major Zn sources could be targeted without a direct need for dietary diversification. By promoting both biofortification breeding of wheat and rice and Zn fertilization, dietary Zn intake could be enhanced to contribute to human health improvement in China. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A scientific version of understanding "Why did the chickens cross the road"? - A guided journey through Bacillus spp. towards sustainable agriculture, circular economy and biofortification.

The world, a famished planet with an overgrowing population, requires enormous food crops. This scenario compelled the farmers to use a high quantity of synthetic fertilizers for high food crop productivity. However, prolonged usage of chemical fertilizers results in severe adverse effects on soil and water quality. On the other hand, the growing population significantly consumes large quantities of poultry meats. Eventually, this produces a mammoth amount of poultry waste, chicken feathers. Owing to the protein value of the chicken feathers, these wastes are converted into protein hydrolysate and further extend their application as biostimulants for sustained agriculture. The protein profile of chicken feather protein hydrolysate (CFPH) produced through Bacillus spp. was the maximum compared to physical and chemical protein extraction methods. Several studies proved that the application of CFPH and active Bacillus spp. culture to soil and plants results in enhanced plant growth, phytochemical constituents, crop yield, soil nutrients, fertility, microbiome and resistance against diverse abiotic and biotic stresses. Overall, "CFPH - Jack of all trades" and "Bacillus spp. - an active camouflage to the surroundings where they applied showed profound and significant benefits to the plant growth under the most adverse conditions. In addition, Bacillus spp. coheres the biofortification process in plants through the breakdown of metals into metal ions that eventually increase the nutrient value of the food crops. However, detailed information on them is missing. This can be overcome by further real-world studies on rhizoengineering through a multi-omics approach and their interaction with plants. This review has explored the best possible and efficient strategy for managing chicken feather wastes into protein-rich CFPH through Bacillus spp. bioconversion and utilizing the CFPH and Bacillus spp. as biostimulants, biofertilizers, biopesticides and biofortificants. This paper is an excellent report on organic waste management, circular economy and sustainable agriculture research frontier.

Simultaneous biofortification of vitamin C and mineral nutrients in arugula microgreens.

Microgreens have shown promise in improving the overall nutritional value of diets due to their high nutrient density. Agronomic biofortification, is an efficient strategy for enhancing the nutritional value of crops, including microgreens. This study aimed to biofortify vitamin C and other essential nutrients in arugula microgreens using four treatments containing 0.25 % ascorbic acid, pH adjusted with different bases: KOH, Ca(OH)2, ZnCO3, or NaOH and a deionized water control. The results indicate that ascorbic acid-treated microgreens had more vitamin C, greater fresh weight and % dry matter than the control. The ascorbic acid + Zn treatment had an 135 % average increase in vitamin C compared to the control. Microgreens treated with ascorbic acid also showed increased levels of minerals that are present in the nutrient solution, such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and zinc. This research contributes to the growing interest in microgreens biofortification and their role in addressing multi-nutrient deficiencies.

Impacts, causes and biofortification strategy of rice selenium deficiency based on publication collection.

Selenium (Se) deficiency in rice will result in a Se hidden hunger threat to the general public's human health, particularly in areas where rice consumption is high. Nevertheless, the impact scope and coping strategies have not been given sufficient focus on a worldwide scale. In order to evaluate the impacts, causes and biofortification strategies of Se-deficient rice, this study collected data from the publications on three themes: market survey, field sampling and controlled experiments. According to the market survey, global rice Se concentrations were 0.079 mg/kg on mean and 0.062 mg/kg on median. East Asia has a human Se intake gap due to the region's high rice consumption and the lowest rice Se concentration in markets globally. Total Se concentrations in East Asian paddy soils were found to be adequate based on the field sampling. However, over 70 % of East Asian paddy fields were inadequate to yield rice that met the global mean for rice Se concentration. The Se-deficient rice was probably caused by widespread low Se bioavailability in East Asian paddy fields. There were two important factors influencing rice Se enrichment including root Se uptake and iron oxide in soils. Concentrating on these processes is beneficial to rice Se biofortification. Since Se is adequate in the paddy soils of East Asia. Rather of adding Se exogenously, activating the native Se in paddy soil is probably a more appropriate strategy for rice Se biofortification in East Asia. Meta-analysis revealed water management had the greatest impact on rice Se biofortification. The risks and solutions for rice Se deficiency were discussed in our farmland-to-table survey, which will be a valuable information in addressing the global challenge of Se hidden hunger. This study also provided new perspectives and their justifications, critically analyzing both present and future strategies to address Se hidden hunger.

Selenium biofortification of microgreens: Influence on phytochemicals, pigments and nutrients.

Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. sabellica L.), kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Bancal) microgreens were cultivated in presence of selenium 20 µmol L-1 as sodium selenite and sodium selenate mixture. The influence of this biofortification process was evaluated in terms of biomass production, total Se, macro- and micronutrients concentration, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, chlorophylls and carotenoids levels and total soluble proteins content. The results obtained have shown a significant concentration of total Se in the biofortified microgreens of kale (133 µg Se·g-1 DW) and kohlrabi (127 µg Se·g-1 DW) higher than that obtained for wheat (28 µg Se·g-1 DW). The Se uptake in all the species did not produce oxidative damage to the plants reflected in the bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity or pigments concentration. These Se-enriched microgreens may contribute to the recommended intake of this nutrient in human diet as to overcome Se-deficiency.

Biofortification of iron content by regulating a NAC transcription factor in maize.

Iron (Fe) deficiency remains widespread among people in developing countries. To help solve this problem, breeders have been attempting to develop maize cultivars with high yields and high Fe concentrations in the kernels. We conducted a genome-wide association study and identified a gene, ZmNAC78 (NAM/ATAF/CUC DOMAIN TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 78), that regulates Fe concentrations in maize kernels. We cultivated maize varieties with both high yield and high Fe concentrations in their kernels by using a molecular marker developed from a 42-base pair insertion or deletion (indel) in the promoter of ZmNAC78. ZmNAC78 expression is enriched in the basal endosperm transfer layer of kernels, and the ZmNAC78 protein directly regulates messenger RNA abundance of Fe transporters. Our results thus provide an approach to develop maize varieties with Fe-enriched kernels.