Main Article Content
Soil microbe mediated zinc uptake in soy bean: A review
Abstract
accessibility and translocation. Nutrient uptake can be enhanced by microorganisms through direct and indirect processes. There is sufficient evidence for nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrient uptake and availability mediated by microorganisms. The uptake of micronutrients such as zinc depends on that of phosphorus. A large proportion of the world population has shortcomings from a nutrition perspective of
being low in zinc and other essential nutrients. There is widespread zinc deficiency in diets causing zinc deficiency diseases. This is combated through pharmaceutical supplements, industrial fortification and most recently biofortification through agriculture. Biofortification has taken highest priority in guaranteeing quality of crops. However, soils exploitation for micronutrients can be enhanced by biological interventions to guarantee adequate uptake by plants and improve crop quality. Microbiological interventions that increase root growth, the availability and transfer of Zn from soil to plants are, therefore, crucial. This article reviews promising microbiological interventions for zinc uptake and gives an overview of microbiological interventions for nitrogen and for phosphorus that are directly linked with zinc uptake. Soya bean is taken as a model plant in this review to elucidate the mechanism of Zn mobilization.