Table 1 Estimated proportion of the EAR supplied by conventionally bred biofortified crops.

From: Multiplying the efficiency and impact of biofortification through metabolic engineering

Crop

Target increment

Estimated proportion of the estimated average requirement provided

Before biofortification (%)

After biofortification (%)

Beans

44 ppm iron

45

85

Cassava

15 ppm provitamin A

0

100

Maize

15 ppm provitamin A

0

55

12 ppm zinc

50

75

Pearl millet

30 ppm iron

50

80

Sweet potato

70 ppm provitamin A

0

≥100

Rice

12 ppm zinc

40

70

Wheat

18  ppm zinc

25

45

  1. The values assume certain levels of per capita consumption, retention of nutrients in processing, storage and cooking, and bioavailability. Further information is provided in refs. 7,27,28. This table is adapted from HarvestPlus website with permission (https://www.harvestplus.org/content/estimated-average-requirements-provided-biofortification). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.
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