Biofortification Strategies in Horticultural Crops: Addressing Micronutrient Malnutrition  through Innovation

Ashutosh Kumar; Amrita Kumari; Vikas Pareek; Subhash Verma; Shri Kant Bharty; Titus Dalang K Momin; Sweta Subhashree Jena; Surender Kumar

doi:10.9734/jabb/2025/v28i62445

Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Biofortification Strategies in Horticultural Crops: Addressing Micronutrient Malnutrition through Innovation

Ashutosh Kumar, Amrita Kumari, Vikas Pareek, Subhash Verma, Shri Kant Bharty, Titus Dalang K Momin, Sweta Subhashree Jena, Surender Kumar

Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology · pp. 819–849 · Published 10 Jun 2025

10.9734/jabb/2025/v28i62445

Abstract

Micronutrient malnutrition, or "hidden hunger," is still a serious world public health issue, especially in developing nations. It occurs due to insufficient intake of vital vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, iodine, and provitamin A, affecting one-third of the world's population. Biofortification, the increase in the content of nutrients in plants by traditional breeding, transgenic approaches, or agronomy practices has been a cost-efficient and sustainable solution to address this phenomenon. Although the majority of attention has been given to staple crops, horticultural crops such as vegetables and fruits have vast potential owing to their inherent richness in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Recent progress in biofortification methods like molecular breeding, genome editing, and nanotechnology is addressed in this review. It also mentions the production of nutrient-dense horticultural varieties such as Pusa Betakesari, Bhu Sona, Bhu Krishna, Kufri Neelkanth.

Biofortification hidden hunger antioxident biofortification strategies

Cited by 2

Breeding Vegetables for Nutritional Security: Addressing Malnutrition and Hidden Hunger

J. Singh, G. Verma, Madhu Sharma · Himachal journal of agricultural research · 2025

Showing 1 of 2 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.

Nutritional and Techno-Functional Properties of Noodles with Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes and Bio-fortified Beans — shares topic coverage
Assessing Yield, Quality and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) with Agronomic Iron Bio-fortification — shares topic coverage
Biofortification of Maize Grain with Zinc and Iron by Using Fertilizing Approach — shares topic coverage
Evaluation of Potential Accessions of African Rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud) with Essential Mineral Elements for Breeding Purposes — shares topic coverage
Staple Crops Biofortification Linking Agriculture, Food and Nutrition towards Eliminating Hidden Hunger — shares topic coverage

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Ashutosh Kumar, Amrita Kumari, Vikas Pareek, Subhash Verma, Shri Kant Bharty, Titus Dalang K Momin, Sweta Subhashree Jena, Surender Kumar (2025). Biofortification Strategies in Horticultural Crops: Addressing Micronutrient Malnutrition through Innovation. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology , 819–849. https://doi.org/10.9734/jabb/2025/v28i62445

Affiliations

Ashutosh Kumar — Department of Horticulture Vegetables, K.V.K. Narkatiyaganj, R.P.C.A.U., Pusa, Bihar, India.
Amrita Kumari — Department of Horticulture (Vegetable Science), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India.
Vikas Pareek — Department of Botany, Maharaja Surajmal Brij University, Bharatpur- 321201, India.
Subhash Verma — School of Agriculture, Eklavya University Damoh (M.P.), 470661, India.
Shri Kant Bharty — Department of Agriculture, SR College of Professional Studies, Ambabai, Jhansi, India.
Titus Dalang K Momin — NICRA, KVK, South Garo hills, Meghalaya, India.
Sweta Subhashree Jena — Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar-751003, Odisha, India.
Surender Kumar — Department of Botany, Pt. N.R.S. Govt. College Rohtak, Haryana, India.

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