Biofortification and Sustainable Intensification of Soil: Perspectives on Rice Cultivation in India
摘要
Biofortified crops have inherently been known to acquire climate-smart traits and stress resilience. Climate-smart agriculture integrates climate change into the planning and implementation of sustainable agricultural strategies. Biofortification is a climate-smart concept that enhances crop nutrient quality and quantity through conventional breeding, agronomic practices, or genetic engineering. It will enrich food availability, stability, accessibility, and utilization and positively impact the health, livelihood, production, and distribution of food crops. The system of rice (Oryza sativa L.) intensification involves a set of agronomic principles to improve the structure and functioning of the soil system by fortifying it with organic matter and micronutrients. With the exceeding urbanization and population explosion, food security is a primary concern for policymakers all around the globe. Widespread zinc, iodine, iron, and selenium micronutrient malnutrition is a significant cause of numerous health problems in human populations where rice is part of the staple diet. Climate-smart biofortification is a durable and effective option to reach the vast numbers of malnourished populations scattered across the world sustainably. Approaches have been strategized worldwide under rice biofortification research projects for maintaining, increasing, and introducing new micronutrients in rice grain. Biofortification has been safely implemented as an environmentally friendly approach to produce higher yields at low costs without undesirable soil effects. Prospective advancements can be achieved by integrating mineral and organic fertilizers with superior germplasm, promoting improved nutrient uptake and localization in the consumed parts of the crop.