Biofortification - enriching of crops with mineral nutrients

Trends for increased biomass and grain yield production with costs lowering, has as a consequence, the products with low level of mineral nutrients. Minerals deficiencies in nutrition, particularly of iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium are present worldwide. Accumulation of mineral nutrients in plants, particularly in grains, is controlled by a number of processes: from root uptake to deposition in developing grains. Moreover, almost half of all soils are deficient in mineral nutrients. Cropping practices which include increase of plant¿s ability to utilize mineral nutrients, as well as methods of conventional breeding and genetic engineering could increase mineral nutrients concentration in edible parts of plants. Fortification also includes lowering of antinutrients that inhibit nutrient bioavailability, and increasing of enhancing substances that promote nutrient bioavailability. Increase of mineral nutrients concentration and their availability from produced crops are complex traits which demand new approach in crop production.