The document outlines the critical role of zinc and iron in wheat, highlighting that approximately 1 billion people globally suffer from deficiencies, mainly in South Asia. It discusses the demand for nutrient-rich wheat varieties to improve health and agricultural outcomes, emphasizing the potential to breed such varieties that meet farmers' expectations. The document also indicates significant progress in developing bioavailable nutrient-rich wheat but calls for continued research and collaboration with the private sector to ensure sustainable breeding practices.

1. Arun K. Joshi, Ravi P. Singh & Govindan Velu
CIMMYT
Zn and Fe rich wheat in developing
countries of Asia; where we are!

2. • Micronutrients are
important (many; Zn, Fe)
• But only few can afford
healthy diet in many
countries – south Asia!
• Around 1 billion suffer
from Zn and Fe
deficiency (globally); a
vast number is in south
Asia
Photo: Livestrong.com

3. Metal-containing & metal-binding proteins in 2 species identified by proteomic techniques.
Gladyshev et al., 2004
Central Role of Zinc in Life on Earth
Source: Hans J. Braun, 2010

4. Source: Ivan Ortiz-Monasterio
• Wheat means - a 5th of humanity’s food, and is first as
a source of protein.
• It is an especially critical “staff of life” for the
approximately 1.2 billion “wheat dependent” to 2.5
billion “wheat consuming” poor—men, women and
children who live on less than USD 2 per day—and
approximately 30 million poor wheat producers and
their families.
• Demand for wheat in the developing world is projected
to increase 60% by 2050.
Source: WHEAT, CIMMYT, 2011
Wheat is important

5. Source: Ivan Ortiz-Monasterio
In south Asia,
wheat is 2nd
most
consumed
crop

6. Target Areas for Zn/Fe dense Wheat
Baseline
Micronutrient Level in
Commercial Crop 25
µgg-1
Target Increment to
be added
8 µgg-1
Wolfgang H PFEIFFER
ME1: Temperate Irrigated High
Production NWPZ
ME5: Irrigated High
Temperature Stress EGPZ
Expected
release -
2013

7. • South Asia
continue to be
“plow to plate”
• Nutrient rich,
agronomically
superior mega
wheat varieties
may ensure
reaching the
masses

8. 2004-2009
Discover genes and
sources of variation
2009-13
Develop varieties
2014+
Deliver to clients
Frequently asked
questions
 Will it be possible
to breed nutrient
rich varieties?
 Will these be
bioavailable?
 Will such varieties
will meet farmers
expectations?
HarvestPlus initiative of IFPRI

10. Zn and Fe grain
concentrations
are internal
traits; agronomic
or external
advantages are
most appealing
to farmers

11. The progress....

13. Wild relative species are best Zn sources; T. spelta appears the best

14. Wheat
30 μgg-1
best Zn sources crossed to elite
wheat adapted to target areas
X
baseline
25 μgg-1
Cd. Obregon, March 2009
Zn Content
Zn Concentration
Best deployed to India & Pakistan for
GxE Performance Testing on-station &
on-farm

15. N = >1200
N =
>800
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
<20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 >55
Grain Zn concentration (mg/kg)
%entries
Zn conc in 2009-10
Zn conc in 2008-09
Progress in Zn and Fe concentration
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
<20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50
Fe concentration (mg/kg)
%entries
Fe conc 2009-10
Fe conc 2008-09
N = >1200
N = >800
CIMMYT trials;
more lines with
more nutrition

16. R2
= 0.069
10
20
30
40
50
60
110 115 120 125 130 135 140
Maturity (days)
Znconc.(ppm)
No trade-off of yield and yield traits
R2
= 0.0004
10
20
30
40
50
60
4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0
Yield (t/ha)
Znconc(ppm)
R
2
= 0.0043
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
TKW
Znconc.(ppm)
R
2
= 0.0019
10
20
30
40
50
60
75 85 95 105 115 125 135
Plant height (cm)
Znconc(ppm)

17. Zn and Yield Performance in 2nd HPYT entries for 2011-12 planting
75
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
120
95 100 105 110 115
ZincConcetrationas%ofTarget(8ppm)
Grain Yield as % of Check Average (Checks = 100%)
Higher
chances
candidate
varieties

18. Harvest Plus trials and nurseries
1. HPWYT (trial)
2. HPAN (nursery)
3. Ludhiana
4. Karnal
5. Delhi
6. Varanasi
7. Islamabad
8. Faisalabad

19. Nitrogen and grain Zn relate well
Cakmak et al., 2009. Cereal Chem.

20. Zinc deficiency in Wheat
Example from Turkey – Chakmak et al., 2009
Minor things can give major impact

21. “Drought Stress” Zn Foliar Spray
Source: Hans J. Braun, 2009
Zn spray may give more yield as well as more
Zn in the grain

22. Breeding for Bioavailability
InulinPhytic acid
++
O
OO P
O
H O
OO P
O
O
OO P
O
O
O OP
O
O
OHO P
O
O
OO P
O H
H
H H
H
1
2
34
5
6
++
++
Mg
++
Fe
Ca
Ca
Zn
++
O
OO P
O
H O
OO P
O
O
OO P
O
O
O OPP
O
O
OHO PP
O
O
OOO P
O H
H
H H
H
1
2
34
5
6
++
++
Mg
++
Fe
Ca
Ca
Zn
++
Bioavailability
amount of a nutrient in a food that is
absorbable from a typical diet and utilizable
whithin body to perform metabolic functions
Anti-nutrients Promoters
Wolfgang H PFEIFFER
Dissect ‘Bioavailability’ into Components
which can be translated into breeding targets
Direct Micronutrient
Enhancement

24. Delivery
Two channels
 Normal (public sector)
 Fast track (private
sector) – speed, twice of
public sector
Farmers participatory
selection – to speed
up dissemination

25. Conclusion
• There is significant
progress
• More progress
required

26. The way forward
• Continue research in strong
linkage mode with NARS
colleagues
• Combine with core traits to
make it sustainable
• New issues; new science
• Bring more budget for major
breeding programs in each
country
• Encourage private sector
• Think of premium price for
nutrient rich varieties

27. Thanks to all..