Biofortification of Potato Tubers with Zinc Fertilizer Through Soil

Abstract

Zinc deficiency is a well-documented problem in food crops, causing decreased crop yield and nutritional quality. Generally, the regions in the world with Zn-deficient soils are also characterized by widespread Zn deficiency in humans. Nearly 25% of the world’s population is considered to be zinc (Zn)-deficient. An estimated 44.6% of preschool-age children are at risk of Zn deficiency, while 57% of non-pregnant and non-lactating women are deficient in Zn in Bangladesh. The key reasons for such deficiency are an intensification of cropping systems and the adoption of high-yielding cultivars of crops. Plant breeding approach (e.g., genetic biofortification) is a long-term processes requiring substantial effort and resources. It is essential to have a short-term approach to improve Zn concentration in tubers. Application of Zn fertilizer (e.g., agronomic biofortification) offers a rapid solution to the problem and represents a useful complementary approach to ongoing breeding programs. The experiment was set up in a two-way factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil application of Zn resulted in a significant increase of tuber Zn concentration with an increase of tuber yield of potato under study. Tuber yield 17-23% and tuber Zn concentration 56-116% increased over control as influenced by added Zn in soil @ 8 kg ha-1 and this rate also reached an average of 1.92-fold tuber Zn increase of the varieties. Zinc biofortification strategy appears to be essential in keeping sufficient amounts of available Zn in soil solution and maintaining adequate Zn transport to the seeds during the reproductive growth stage. Enrichment of potatoes with high bioavailable Zn is suggested as a way to generate significant health benefits for a large number of susceptible people across the world. Finally, agronomic biofortification would be a very attractive, quick and useful strategy in mitigating widespread Zn-driven malnutrition-related health problems globally and effectively.