Iodine biofortification of wheat, rice and maize through fertilizer strategy

Examines the use of iodine containing fertilizers for agronomic biofortification of cereal grains with iodine

Abstract

Iodine deficiency is distinct from other micronutrient deficiencies in human populations in having a high endemic prevalence both in well-developed and in developing countries. The very low concentration of iodine in agricultural soils and cereal-based foods is widely believed to be the main reason of iodine deficiency in humans, especially in developing countries.

In the present study, the possibility of using iodine containing fertilizers for agronomic biofortification of cereal grains with iodine was studied. The aim was to establish the best application method (to the soil or as foliar spray), the best form of iodine (potassium iodate or potassium iodide) and the optimal dose of iodine. Additionally, experiments were conducted to study transport of iodine in plants and localization of iodine within the grains.

This work is an output of the HarvestPlus Programme. The Department for International Development is one of the main donors for HarvestPlus.

Citation

Cakmak, I., C. Prom-u-thai, L. R. G. Guilherme, A. Rashid, K.H. Hora, A. Yazici, E. Savasli, M. Kalayci, Y. Tutus, P. Phuphong, M. Rizwan, F. A. D. Martins, G. S. Dinali, and L. Ozturk. 2017. Iodine biofortification of wheat, rice and maize through fertilizer strategy. Plant Soil 418 (1- 2): 319-335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3295-9.

Iodine biofortification of wheat, rice and maize through fertilizer strategy

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Published 1 September 2017