Soil–plant interactions regulating the mobility and acquisition of Zn, Fe, Se, and I: implications for crop biofortification strategies
- 1Department of Soil Science, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
- 2Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras
- 3Department of Natural Sciences and Earth, Minas Gerais State University (UEMG)
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly those involving zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and iodine (I), remain major constraints to human nutrition and food security. Crop biofortification offers a sustainable approach to increasing the concentration and bioavailability of these elements in staple foods. Still, its effectiveness depends on the processes regulating their behavior across the soil–plantsoil–plant continuum. This structured narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the edaphic, rhizospheric, physiological, and molecular mechanisms controlling Zn, Fe, Se, and I mobility, acquisition, transport, redistribution, storage, and accumulation in edible plant organs. Literature searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing primarily on studies published between 2021 and 18 March 2026, while retaining foundational research required to explain key mechanisms. The evidence indicates that parent material, texture, cation exchange capacity, pH, redox potential, organic matter, and nutrient interactions govern micronutrient speciation and availability. Plants respond through rhizosphere acidification, chelator and organic acid release, microbial associations, and coordinated transporter networks. Zinc and Fe homeostasis involves ZIP/IRT, HMA, YSL, NRAMP, MTP, VIT, and related transport systems. In contrast, Se largely shares sulfate and phosphate pathways, and iodine appears to use anion transport systems associated with chloride. Agronomic fertilization can rapidly increase micronutrient concentrations, while breeding, biotechnology, and gene editing can improve uptake, remobilization, and storage. The most promising strategies integrate soil diagnosis, appropriate nutrient sources and application methods, genotype selection, microbial processes, bioavailability, and food-system considerations. Such integration is essential for producing nutritionally improved crops without compromising yield, environmental sustainability, or consumer acceptance.
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BibTeX
@article{zevallos2026soilplant,
title = {{Soil–plant interactions regulating the mobility and acquisition of Zn, Fe, Se, and I: implications for crop biofortification strategies}},
author = {Shirley Zevallos and Pedro Gutierrez-Vilchez and Anyela Quispe and Cynthia de Oliveira and Everton Geraldo de Morais and Guilherme Lopes and Luiz Roberto Guimarães Guilherme},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1968376},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1968376/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Soil–plant interactions regulating the mobility and acquisition of Zn, Fe, Se, and I: implications for crop biofortification strategies
AU - Shirley Zevallos
AU - Pedro Gutierrez-Vilchez
AU - Anyela Quispe
AU - Cynthia de Oliveira
AU - Everton Geraldo de Morais
AU - Guilherme Lopes
AU - Luiz Roberto Guimarães Guilherme
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1968376
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1968376/full
AB - Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly those involving zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and iodine (I), remain major constraints to human nutrition and food security. Crop biofortification offers a sustainable approach to increasing the concentration and bioavailability of these elements in staple foods. Still, its effectiveness depends on the processes regulating their behavior across the soil–plantsoil–plant continuum. This structured narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the edaphic, rhizospheric, physiological, and molecular mechanisms controlling Zn, Fe, Se, and I mobility, acquisition, transport, redistribution, storage, and accumulation in edible plant organs. Literature searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing primarily on studies published between 2021 and 18 March 2026, while retaining foundational research required to explain key mechanisms. The evidence indicates that parent material, texture, cation exchange capacity, pH, redox potential, organic matter, and nutrient interactions govern micronutrient speciation and availability. Plants respond through rhizosphere acidification, chelator and organic acid release, microbial associations, and coordinated transporter networks. Zinc and Fe homeostasis involves ZIP/IRT, HMA, YSL, NRAMP, MTP, VIT, and related transport systems. In contrast, Se largely shares sulfate and phosphate pathways, and iodine appears to use anion transport systems associated with chloride. Agronomic fertilization can rapidly increase micronutrient concentrations, while breeding, biotechnology, and gene editing can improve uptake, remobilization, and storage. The most promising strategies integrate soil diagnosis, appropriate nutrient sources and application methods, genotype selection, microbial processes, bioavailability, and food-system considerations. Such integration is essential for producing nutritionally improved crops without compromising yield, environmental sustainability, or consumer acceptance.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -