Iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) deficiencies are global health concerns associated with adverse health outcomes. Plants constitute a dietary source of these elements, particularly for individuals following plant-based diets. However, plant Fe availability is limited by soil processes that reduce Fe mobility and uptake, whereas Se accumulation is constrained by the low abundance of Se in soils. Increasing Fe and Se concentrations in edible plant parts through biofortification represents a sustainable strategy to alleviate micronutrient deficiency. This review examines the mechanisms governing Fe and Se uptake, translocation, metabolism, and genetic regulation, and discusses current biofortification strategies, including agronomic practices, natural and microbial-based approaches, conventional breeding and marker-assisted selection, transgenic technologies, and nanoparticles. While cereals remain the principal targets of large-scale biofortification programs, recent advances in horticultural crops are also highlighted because of their growing nutritional and commercial importance. Current evidence indicates that integrated agronomic and genetic approaches are more effective than single interventions, although simultaneous Fe and Se biofortification remains largely underexplored. Successful biofortification is also strongly influenced by soil properties, nutrient interactions, and crop genotype. Emerging tools, including plant–microbe interactions and synthetic biology, offer promising opportunities to enhance micronutrient accumulation and bioavailability. Further research should optimize integrated Fe–Se biofortification strategies while addressing agronomic and socioeconomic constraints to support their large-scale adoption and contribute to sustainable food systems.
S. Celletti, Michela Schiavon· Agronomy· 0 citations
Introduction Siderophore-producing bacteria and their metabolites represent promising components of next-generation biofertilizers, yet their effects on plant physiology and soil microbiome structure remain insufficiently understood. Methods We developed a liquid biofertilizer based on siderophores and siderophore-accompanying metabolites (SSAM) produced by Pseudomonas sp. ANT_H12B and formulated with molasses as an organic carrier. Its effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were evaluated by assessing plant growth, photosynthetic performance, lipid peroxidation, elemental composition, soil enzyme activities, and bacterial community structure using full-length 16S rRNA nanopore sequencing. Results The combined SSAM+molasses formulation significantly enhanced plant growth, increasing leaf dry biomass by nearly 180%, leaf number by more than 300%, and stem length by approximately 40–50% compared with untreated plants. Improved plant performance was accompanied by enhanced photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/FM) and a marked reduction in oxidative stress, as reflected by nearly 50% lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared with the molasses-only treatment. Although elemental analysis revealed no major disturbances in plant nutrient balance among treatments, soil supplementation with the combined formulation strongly affected rhizosphere functioning and microbiome composition. In particular, the SSAM+molasses treatment coincided with approximately 35–50% higher β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities and clear shifts in microbial community structure. Discussion These findings suggest that molasses-enriched siderophore metabolites may act as effective biostimulants by promoting plant growth and mitigating oxidative stress, partly through modulation of rhizosphere microbiome structure and function.
M. Musiałowski, A. Bernatowicz, Ł. Kowalewska et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
