%D 2015
%L icrisat9748
%T Breeding high-iron pearl millet cultivars: present status and future prospects
%P 01
%A M Govindaraj
%A K N Rai
%A A Kanatti
%A G Velu
%A H Shivade
%C Ithaca, NY, USA
%K Breeding, High-iron pearl millet cultivars, Pearl Millet
%X Micronutrient malnutrition, widespread in resource poor families in the developing world where large populations rely on cereals as staple food, has emerged as a major health challenge. Over 60% and 30% of the world’s populations are deficient in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), respectively1. About 80% of pregnant women and 70% children are reported to suffer from Fe deficiency, while 52% children (<5 years) have stunted growth in India2,3. Biofortification is a cost-effective and sustainable agricultural approach to deliver essential micronutrients through staple foods. Pearl millet is an important staple food in the arid and semi-arid regions of Asia and Africa. The primary focus of HarvestPlus-supported pearl millet biofortification research at ICRISAT is on improving Fe density with Zn density as an associated trait...