Integrating Biofortification with Sustainable Agriculture: The Role of Genome Editing Technologies
Kavya Thottempudi *
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, ANGRAU, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, 522101, India.
Shourabh Joshi
Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Nagaur, Agriculture University Jodhpur 341001, India.
Manisha Satyawan Mote
Department of Agriculture Botany, Rajarshee Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj College of Agriculture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Kolhapur - 416004, India.
Mukesh Vishnoi
Dr. K N Modi University Newai Tonk, Rajasthan, 304021, India.
Priyansh Rahangdale
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, SAM Global University Raisen Madhya Pradesh, 462026, India.
A.Meena
Department of Statistics and Mathematics, College of Agriculture, PJTAU, Telangana, 500030, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in low and middle-income countries, pose significant health challenges due to reliance on staple crops with low nutritional value. Biofortification, the process of enhancing micronutrient content in crops, offers a strategic solution to improve public health. This review examines how genome editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, base editors, and prime editors, can accelerate biofortification efforts by directly modifying genetic pathways that influence micronutrient content. The review highlights various biofortification approaches and their integration with sustainable agriculture practices. It discusses the technical, agronomic, regulatory, and social challenges of developing biofortified crops. It presents case studies where genome-edited crops, such as high-iron rice and zinc-enriched wheat, have been successfully developed. The paper also evaluates the effectiveness of these crops in improving nutritional outcomes and their potential for scaling. By aligning genome editing with sustainable farming practices, biofortification can enhance food security while maintaining environmental resilience. This integrated approach holds promise for tackling micronutrient.
Keywords: Biofortification, sustainable agriculture, genome editing, micronutrient deficiency, crop nutrition