Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Pankaj Kumar, Dhanshree Bharat Jadhav, Samudrala Madhu Sudhan and Yasodha Devi Janni

Abstract:
Biofortification is the process of enhancing a food crop's micronutrient content through various methods like selective breeding, genetic manipulation, or the application of enriched fertilizer. Iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficits are the focus of biofortification research. Biofortification can be accomplished by traditional plant breeding or transgenic techniques. In India, biofortification is the sole way to make biofortified crops. New varieties are created by crossing promising lines and choosing those with desirable traits. It involves integrating DNA into an organism's genome to introduce new attributes such as disease resistance or micronutrient. Biofortification is more cost-effective than supplementation or fortification in lowering the burden of micronutrient deficiency, especially in Asia. Traditional breeding techniques are the most successful and long-term approach for biofortifying crops, but they are time-consuming and require a lot of genetic variety in the plant gene pool.