Scope of the grain biofortification in relation to food security

We explored the effects of micronutrient biofortification on rice plant growth, physiological traits, vegetation indices, and grain nutritional content, focusing on Selenium (Se), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) as biofortifying agents applied through different methods (soil vs. foliar) and at varying rates (low, moderate, high). A comprehensive set of plant physiological parameters were assessed, including chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and key vegetation indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). Results revealed that the application of Zinc (Zn) significantly enhanced chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, and transpiration rate, leading to improved plant growth metrics, including increased canopy height and productive tillers. In terms of grain quality, Zinc-treated plants exhibited the highest grain yield, panicle length, and 1000 paddy weight. Additionally, the foliar application method consistently outperformed soil application in enhancing plant physiological traits, particularly in stomatal conductance and photosynthesis efficiency. Grain biofortification was also notably improved, with Zinc treatments resulting in the highest levels of Zinc (31.8 mg/kg), Iron (148.3 mg/kg), and Selenium (178.2 µg/kg) in rice grains, contributing to enhanced grain protein content (7.6%). The findings highlight the crucial role of micronutrient biofortification in improving both the yield and nutritional quality of rice, contributing to enhanced food security. This research underscores the potential of integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based monitoring technologies with micronutrient management strategies to promote sustainable agricultural practices and global food security.