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Soil Factors Associated with Micronutrient Acquisition in Crops- Biofortification Perspective

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Biofortification of Food Crops

Abstract

The introduction of high-yielding varieties, intensive cultivation systems, micronutrient-free fertiliser application, non-addition of organic manures and imbalanced plant nutrition has led to multi-micronutrient deficiencies in soils in many parts of the globe. Importance of micronutrients can be realised from their incredible functions in plants that result in quality produce, as each essential micronutrients play some specific functions in plants. Availability of micronutrients to plants is regulated by various soil factors such as texture, soil reaction, organic matter, clay content, soil moisture, nutrient interactions in soil, microbial activity, redox potential and aeration, etc. Research has, however, clearly indicated a sharp increase in micronutrient uptake and yield of crops by alleviating soil conditions through proper management practices, liming and applying micronutrients directly in soil or as foliar application. Moreover, exploitation of soil microbes such as micronutrient solubilisers and AM fungi has proven as boon in micronutrient uptake and improving soil quality. Maintenance of optimum soil organic matter status and balanced fertilisation or soil test-based fertiliser application also lead to biofortified farm produce, eliminate micronutrient deficiency and improve soil and plant health.

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Kumar, A., Choudhary, A.K., Pooniya, V., Suri, V.K., Singh, U. (2016). Soil Factors Associated with Micronutrient Acquisition in Crops- Biofortification Perspective. In: Singh, U., Praharaj, C., Singh, S., Singh, N. (eds) Biofortification of Food Crops. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2716-8_13

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