Combating hidden hunger caused by wheat and soil-drived zinc deficiency

Department of Plant and Animal Production, Selçuk University, 42430, Konya, Türkiye

^* Corresponding author: hayatiakman@selcuk.edu.tr

Abstract

Essential vitamins, proteins, and microelements are provided by nutrition, but inadequate and nutrient-poor diets can lead to hidden hunger. Zinc deficiency is a significant hidden resource that affects multiple bodily functions, including immune system function, growth, and development. The primary reasons for the prevalence of zinc deficiency in humans are grain-based products with low concentrations and low zinc solubility in the soil. Intensifying plant production and the inability to replace nutrients absorbed in excess from the soil leads to zinc deficiency in the soil. Consequently, substantial reductions in crop yields are observed, along with decreased zinc concentrations in harvested grains. A number of unsustainable strategies, including expensive medical supplements and zinc-enriched flour-based products to address zinc deficiency, are temporary solutions. Additionally, one such strategy is agronomic biofortification, which recommends utilizing water-soluble zinc fertilizers to increase the concentration of zinc in the plant and soil. A more sustainable and cost-effective approach involves employing traditional plant breeding and molecular techniques to develop new zinc-biofortified cultivars. By enriching wheat with zinc, it absorbs 20-40% more zinc from the soil. Here, this paper will discuss the role of zinc deficiency in wheat and soil and its impact on both crop yield and human nutrition, with a particular emphasis on biofortified wheat.