Projects / Programmes
Lessons from nutrient-use-efficient plants to benefit dietary mineral intake
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
zinc, plants, diets, hyperaccumulation, model plant, Brassicas, gene expression, wheat, millet, element distribution, X-ray fluorescence
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 24, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
Data for ARIS tenders (
04.04.2019 – Programme tender,
archive
)
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
785 |
16,972 |
13,793 |
17.57 |
| Scopus |
809 |
18,973 |
15,593 |
19.27 |
Researchers (19)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Among the important essential elements for humans is zinc (Zn) which is required for nearly all processes within our body. Too little Zn therefore affects many systems negatively. With insufficient Zn, we become more susceptible to infections and are less productive, and prolonged Zn deficiency can cause severe growth defects and impaired brain function. Substantial progress has been made in increasing concentrations of some of these elements in edible plant tissues and particularly in staple crops. The process is called biofortification. The increase in density of bioavailable essential mineral elements in a crop can be achieved through plant breeding, transgenic techniques, or agronomic practices. To further advance biofortification strategies in-depth understanding of the network of factors influencing Zn hyperaccumulation (extraordinary ability to accumulate concentrations of Zn considered toxic for majority of plants) and Zn homeostasis in leafy and grain crops is required. We propose to address the grand challenge of correlating quantitative information on the tissue-specific distribution of Zn and intrinsic gene expression network in a Zn hyperaccumulating model plant (Arabidopsis halleri), a leafy crop species (Brassica oleracea) and two staple grain crops, namely millet species (finger, pearl and proso millets) and wheat species differing in ploidity (selected diplod, tetraplod and hexaploids species/subspecies). The proposed project builds on several recent publications and preliminary results of the project team in which: i) variability of Zn concentration in leaves was determined for A. halleri grown in controlled environment and ii) RNAseq of roots and root traits of B. oleracea grown with contrasting Zn and P supply, which revealed candidate genes involved in Zn homeostasis. In addition, drought tolerant crop (different millet species) and wheat species differing in ploidity will be included to explore gene expression link with Zn-use efficiency and tissue specific accumulation of Zn and Zn ligands in the grain. To complement the information on gene network in these species a visualisation technique enabling quantitative element localisation micro-proton induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE), will be employed to assess tissue-specific Zn accumulation. Micro-PIXE will be complemented with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), when larger sensitivity (<1 mg kg-1) and poorer resolution (1-20 µm) will be required. Comprising four work packages and twelve tasks the project will engage an interdisciplinary team comprising national and international experts in their respective fields, to deliver knowledge required by plant biologists, agronomists, food technologists, nutritionists, and quality control officials for the development of more nutritious food products. Numerous opportunities to participate in outreach activities within the institutes and universities participating, will enable the interaction with general public, promote the importance of plant nutrition for healthy communities, and the significance to address scientific questions in an interdisciplinary way. The project will enable extensive knowledge exchange by offering open-access to all results and will enable training of master and PhD students and early career scientists to obtain unique set of technical skills in cutting-edge technologies and to develop communication skills (written and oral) and project-management qualities.
