OAR@ICRISATBiofortification for combating micronutrient malnutrition: Identification of commercial sorghum cultivars with high grain iron and zinc concentrationsAAshok KumarauthorB V SReddyauthorBRamaiahauthorSorghum is the dietary staple of more than 500 million people over 30 countries in Africa and Asia. Per capita consumption is 75 kg/year in major sorghum areas in India. It is one of the cheapest sources of energy, protein, Fe and Zn and contributes to >50% of the Fe and Zn. ICRISAT is working on sorghum biofortification to develop micronutrient-dense (Fe and Zn) sorghum cultivars with increased nutrient bioavailability. A total of 63 commercial sorghum cultivars developed in India were used to assess the variability in the commercial sorghum cultivars that are currently being cultivated by sorghum farmers in India. The grain Fe and Zn concentrations were determined in the grain samples by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF). The mean grain Fe concentration in genotypes ranged from 22 to 44 mg/kg and grain Zn concentrations from 15 to 33 mg/kg. This variability was significant considering the base levels of grain Fe (30 mg/kg) and Zn (20 mg/kg) concentrations in sorghum. Highly significant positive correlation was found between the grain Fe and Zn concentration (r = 0.853; P <0.01). Compared to post-rainy sorghums predominantly grown for food use in India, the rainy season grown commercial hybrids possessed up to 50% higher Fe and Zn concentrationsSorghumFood and Nutrition2013The Indian Society of Dryland AgricultureArticle

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