Zinc Biofortification of Cassava Through Agronomic Management in Brazil.

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a well-known health problem in humans, especially in populations from developing countries. This deficiency can also limit yields when crops are cultivated under low Zn levels in soils. Biofortification is an agricultural strategy that aims to increase the content of selected micronutrients, including Zn, in staple foods. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple crop of tropical and subtropical developing countries, feeding some 600 million people a day worldwide. The nutritional quality of the cassava root is not sufficient to meet all dietary needs and more studies on biofortification of this crop can lead to an improvement of its nutritional quality. This study evaluated Zn contents in cassava accessions cultivated under different soil management in different areas from central Brazilian savanna. The Zn content in cassava tubers ranged from 4 to 24 mg kg^-1. The Zn values were higher in cassava accessions cultivated in the area with higher Zn content in the soil (76 mg kg^-1), which received application of animal manure before the cassava cultivation. These results suggests that biofortification through agronomic management can lead to improve zinc contents in cassava.  Sponsored by CAPES, FAPEMIG and CNPq.