What is meant by biofortification? Explain.
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It is a method of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins, minerals, healthier fats to improve public health. The objective of breeding for improved nutritional quality is to enhance:
(a) Protein and oil content, and quality.
(b) Vitamin content.
© Micronutrients and mineral content.
Some examples of crop varieties with improved nutrient contents are:
(a) Maize hybrids with increased amount of amino acids, lysine and tryptophan.
(b) Atlas 66 is a wheat variety having a high protein content which has been used as donor for improving cultivated wheat.
© Iron fortified rice with five times increased iron content than commonly consumed varities.
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