BIOFORTIFICATION OF SOLANUM TUBEROSUM: A RATIONAL APPROACH FOR NUTRITIONAL SECURITY

Potato also known as (Solanum tuberosum L.) is very desirable since it has a high yield potential as well as a high nutritional value. Potato is one of the richest source of micronutrients especially when consumed along with skin. With its enormous industrial demand and status as the most utilized non-grain staple crop globally, it seems to be a prime choice for biofortification. Biofortification can aid people with micronutrient deficiencies. Through biofortification, it was discovered that applying zinc fertilizer significantly improved the micronutrient concentrations.It is an affordable, reliable, and sustainable technique that has the potential to provide long-term micronutrient availability. Recommended daily allowance (RDA) of zinc for men and women over the age group of 19 yrs is 11 mg and 8 mg, respectively while during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the RDA is higher at 11 mg and 12 mg. In contrast to data given by USDA 2019 for non biofortifiedpotato, Biofortification of potato with zinc resulted an increase in moisture, energy, carbohydrate, total fiber, and zinc % overall. The current study suggest that biofortification of potato with different micronutrients can be a sustainable approach to improve its overall nutritional quality as well as it can be a weapon to fight against various micronutrient deficiencies and decrease the ratio of hidden hunger.