Cereal seed minerals: Dynamics of storage and remobilization

The storage and remobilization of essential mineral elements in cereal seeds are fundamental processes that ensure successful seed development, germination and early seedling establishment. Beyond their biological functions, the abundance, spatial distribution, chemical forms and bioavailability of these nutrients largely determine the nutritional quality of cereal grains, the primary staple food for much of the world's population. However, the principles governing the spatiotemporal dynamics of nutrient allocation, storage, and release in cereal seeds remain poorly understood. Here, we review recent advances in nutrient dynamics into and within cereal seeds, focusing on long-distance transport through stem nodes, transfer across maternal-filial interfaces, tissue- and subcellular-level storage and mineral remobilization during germination. We also highlight the underlying transporters and their implications for crop biofortification. Understanding these dynamics sets a promising stage for breeding crops with better quality and resilience, ultimately contributing to global food and nutritional security.