Reviewing zinc in soils and wheat grain in Serbia: Is there a risk of deficiency in human wheat-based diets?

Zinc (Zn) soil deficiency negatively affects crop yields and the quality of staple food globally. Soil Zn availability is declining due to soil conditions and is further impacted by factors such as agricultural practices, especially the use of phosphorus fertilizers, which can reduce Zn uptake in wheat. As a result, wheat grain often contains low Zn levels, and its bioavailability is limited, contributing to insufficient Zn intake through wheat-based foods. This review focuses on plant-available Zn status in soils, Zn in wheat grains, and the human population in Serbia, emphasizing the connections between these issues. Data on soils with low available Zn, rather low Zn in wheat grain and general lack of results on Zn concentration in crop plant tissues and application of Zn fertilizers suggest that further research is needed to evaluate nutritional status of wheat plants for Zn. Existing data suggest that Zn deficiency in humans could be a concern in Serbia, especially with dietary shifts toward more plant-based diets. Given the high consumption of wheat in the country, biofortification presents a promising and solution to improve Zn levels in wheat grain in a sustainable way. Agronomic biofortification, through application of soil and foliar Zn fertilizers can enhance Zn concentration in wheat grain and improve human nutrition, thus reducing the risk of deficiency in the population.