Fostering nutritional wealth: unveiling iron and zinc enhancement in pulse crops—mechanisms, achievements and future frontiers.

AbstractTrace elements are essential for human growth, development, and vital plant physiological and metabolic processes. Micronutrients play a crucial role in both human and plant biological systems. Iron and zinc deficiencies remain some of the most prevalent and serious public health issues impacting vulnerable populations worldwide. Pulses, which constitute a cornerstone of plant-based protein intake and are predominantly grown in South Asia and Africa, can be further enriched with essential nutrients using diverse biofortification techniques. These techniques encompass (i) agronomic strategies, (ii) conventional breeding methodologies, and (iii) genetic engineering techniques. Future breeding and biotechnological approaches aim to enhance bioavailability and diminish antinutrient elements by intervening in pathways or creating low phytate mutant lines. Over the past few years, numerous biofortified food crops have been released, including pulses such as common beans and lentils introduced by HarvestPlus in developing countries. This review discusses various methods utilized in biofortification concerning mineral uptake and transport in pulses. It also addresses future challenges associated with biofortifying pulse crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]