Cipher: 2113
Nomenclature: Biofortification
Study programme: Molecular biosciences
Module: Materials science and new technologies
Case holder:

Prof.dr.sc. Zdenko Lončarić
Institution of the case holder:

Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences,
Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
Contributors - Contractors:
Subject status: Electoral College
The year in which the case is submitted: Year I
The semester in which the case is submitted: Semester II
Subject objective:

Understand the goals, genetic principles and physiological mechanisms of breeding and agronomic biofortification technologies. Get acquainted with the development of biofortification, current scientific and technological achievements, goals and challenges.
Case contents:

Definition, development and objectives of biofortification. Genetic biofortification and agronomic biofortification. Soil properties and agrotechnical biofortification measures (seed treatment, application into the soil, foliar fertilization). The form of the active substance and the time of implementation of agrofortification. Physiological mechanisms of agrofortification. Agrofortification with zinc, iron, selenium and other feeds (translocation, accumulation, efficiency). Agrofortication and accumulation of harmful elements (Cd, Pb). Fortification of wheat, barley, rye, corn, soybeans, leafy vegetables, fruit vegetables, root vegetables. Bioavailability of fortified feeds, promoters and bioavailability inhibitors. Varietal specificity and biofortification.
Learning outcomes: competences, knowledge, skills that the subject develops:

1. To judge the reasons for biofortification.
2. Explain biofortification tasks, principles and systems.
3. To conclude on translocation and accumulation of essential and harmful elements based on relevant literature.
4. Apply research biofortification in binoculars and horticulture.
5. To analyse the bioavailability of feeds in a bifortified product.
ECTS Credits 6
Lectures 20
Seminars (IS) 5
Exercises (E) 0
Altogether 25
The way of teaching and acquiring knowledge:

Students are obliged to attend lectures or consultations and prepare and exhibit seminar work.
Ways of teaching and acquiring knowledge: (notes)
Monitoring and evaluating students (mark in fat printing only relevant categories) Attendance, Teaching activities, Mandatory seminar work
Rating method: Oral exam, Essay/Seminar, Continuous examination of knowledge in the course of teaching
Mandatory literature:

1. Singh, U., Praharaj, C.S., Singh, S.S., Singh, N.P. (2016): Biofortification of Food Crops. Springer. New Delhi, Heidelberg, New York, Dordrecht, London.
2. Hooda, Peter (2010): Trace elements in soils. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. West Sussex. United Kingdom.
3. Marschner, P. (2012): Marshner's Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. Third Edition. Academic Press, London.
4. Pavlek-Kozlina, B. (2003): Plant physiology. Profile International. Zagreb.
Supplementary (recommended) literature:

1. Impa, S.M., Johnson-Beebout, S.E. (2012): Mitigating zinc deficiency and achieving high grain Zn in rice through integration of soil chemistry and plant physiology research. Plant adn Soil: 361: 3-41. Springer.
2. Sarwar, N. et al. (2010): Role of mineral nutrition in minimizing cadmium accumulation by plants. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture: 90: 925-937.
3. Reynolds, M.P., Ortiz-Monasterio, J.I., McNab, A. (2001): Application of physiology in wheat breeding. CIMMYT, Mexico.
4. Ivarsson, Kjell et all. (2002): Cadmium from Plough to Plate. THE D.C. Swedish University of Agricultural Science.
How to monitor the quality and performance performance (evaluation):

The success of the course will be evaluated annually by the joint expert committee of the Ruđer Boskovic Institute, the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek based on exam success and surveys.