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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation

Published on: October 31, 2019

Biofortification and phytoremediation.

Fang-Jie Zhao¹, Steve P McGrath

¹Rothamsted Research, Hertfordshire, UK. Fangjie.Zhao@bbsrc.ac.uk

Current Opinion in Plant Biology

|May 29, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Enhancing crop mineral micronutrients like iron, zinc, and selenium is crucial for global health. Plants can be biofortified or used for soil remediation through phytoextraction, but more research is needed.

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Published on: May 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Agricultural Science
Plant Biology
Environmental Science

Background:

Modern agriculture aims for sustainable food production, focusing on both yield and nutritional quality.
Micronutrient malnutrition (iron, zinc, selenium) affects a significant portion of the global population.
Soil contamination by metals/metalloids poses environmental and agricultural challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To address the urgent need for biofortification of essential mineral micronutrients in crops.
To explore the potential of phytoextraction for cleaning metal-contaminated soils using plants.
To review progress and identify knowledge gaps in trace element accumulation and transport in plants.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on crop biofortification strategies (fertilization, breeding, biotechnology).
Analysis of research on phytoextraction, focusing on hyperaccumulation and biomass production.
Examination of studies on inter- and intra-species variation in trace element uptake.
Investigation of mechanistic understanding of plant trace element transport and homeostasis.

Main Results:

Significant progress in identifying plant variations for trace element accumulation.
Advancements in understanding plant mechanisms for trace element transport and homeostasis.
Demonstrated potential for biofortification and phytoextraction as agricultural tools.

Conclusions:

Biofortification and phytoextraction offer promising solutions for nutritional security and environmental remediation.
Further research is essential to fully elucidate plant trace element dynamics for optimizing these applications.
Integrating knowledge of plant physiology and genetics is key to advancing agricultural sustainability.