Genetic and genomic interventions in crop biofortification: Examples in millets.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural science, genetics, and nutritional science.
• Focus on enhancing micronutrient density in cereal crops.

Background:

• Micronutrient malnutrition is a significant global health issue, exacerbated by diets low in essential nutrients.
• Millets are crucial staple crops in arid and semi-arid regions, providing energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• These crops possess traits like stress tolerance and high productivity in poor soils, making them vital for food security.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent genetic and genomic advancements for improving grain micronutrient density in millets.
• To explore the potential of millet germplasm for developing biofortified varieties.
• To highlight the role of omics approaches and genome editing in enhancing nutritional content.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on genetic and genomic innovations in millets.
• Summary of advances in high-throughput phenotyping for micronutrient analysis.
• Exploration of omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, phenomics) and genome editing tools.

Main Results:

• Significant genetic diversity exists within millet germplasm collections.
• Progress has been made in phenotyping and omics technologies for nutritional trait enhancement.
• Genome editing tools show promise for mainstreaming biofortification in millets.

Conclusions:

• Genetic and genomic innovations are key to enhancing micronutrient density in millets.
• Exploiting millet genetic diversity and advanced technologies can improve nutritional security.
• Future research should focus on the genetic basis of nutritional traits and introgression into major cereals.