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Finger Millet: A Genetic Resource for Calcium and Iron Biofortification in Staple Crops
Nidhi V Maheshwari1, Kavita Gowda1, Isha Shendye1
1Department of Life Sciences, Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, India.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|July 13, 2026
Summary
Micronutrient deficiencies like calcium and iron impact global health. Biofortification of finger millet (FM) offers a promising strategy to enhance nutritional content and combat hidden hunger.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Human Nutrition
- Plant Breeding
Background:
- Micronutrient deficiencies, termed hidden hunger, pose significant global health challenges.
- Calcium and iron deficiencies impede overall growth and development.
- Innovative strategies are crucial to enhance food's nutritional value and address deficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore biofortification as a strategy to combat food and nutrition security issues.
- To highlight the potential of finger millet (FM) as a biofortification candidate.
- To review genes and molecular markers for enhancing calcium and iron content in FM.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on biofortification techniques.
- Analysis of finger millet's nutritional profile (calcium, iron, fiber).
- Identification of key genes and molecular markers involved in nutrient uptake, transport, and storage.
Main Results:
- Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is identified as a nutrient-rich crop suitable for biofortification.
- Key genes and gene families regulating calcium and iron metabolism in plants are highlighted.
- The role of molecular markers in selecting improved FM varieties is discussed.
Conclusions:
- Biofortification of finger millet presents a viable approach to improve nutrition and food security.
- Understanding the genetic basis of nutrient accumulation is essential for targeted breeding.
- Molecular markers can accelerate the development of enhanced finger millet varieties.
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