Micronutrient malnutrition (e.g., zinc) is one of the major causes of human disease burden in the developing world. Zinc (Zn) deficiency is highly prevalent in the Pakistani population (22.1%), particularly in women and children (under 5 years) due to low dietary Zn intake. In Pakistan, wheat is the primary staple food and is poor in bioavailable Zn. However, the number of malnourished populations has decreased over the last decade due to multiplied public awareness, accelerated use of Zn fertilizers (particularly in wheat and rice), initiation of several national/international research initiatives focusing on Zn biofortification in staple crops and availability of supplements and Zn fortified meals merchandise, nonetheless a large number of people are facing Zn or other micronutrient deficiencies in the country. There are few reports highlighting the significant increase in daily dietary Zn uptake in population consuming biofortified wheat (Zincol-2016) flour; indicating the positive prospect of biofortification interventions up scaling in lowering the risk of dietary Zn deficiency in rural and marginalized communities. Zinc fertilizer strategy has not only helped in enhancing the grain Zn concentration, but it also helped in improving crop yield with high economic return. In addition, Zn biofortified seeds have exhibited strong inherent ability to withstand abiotic stresses and produce higher grain yield under diverse climatic conditions. However, there are many constraints (soil, environment, genetic diversity, antinutrients concentration, socioeconomic factors etc.) that hinder the success of biofortification interventions. This review highlights the status of Zn deficiency in Pakistan, the success of agronomic and genetic biofortification interventions. It also discusses the economics of agronomic biofortification and cost effectiveness of Zn fertilization in field conditions in Pakistan and the potential of Zn biofortified seeds against abiotic stresses. Furthermore, it also highlights the constraints which limit the sustainability of biofortification interventions.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important grain legume that is grown and consumed all over the world. Chickpea is mostly grown in rainfed areas and marginal soils with low available zinc (Zn); however, its productivity is affected by micronutrient deficiencies in soil, particularly Zn deficiency. Zinc is a structural constituent and regulatory cofactor of enzymes involved in various plant biochemical pathways. As such, Zn deficiency impairs plant growth and development by reducing enzyme activity, disturbing ribosomal stabilisation, and decreasing the rate of protein synthesis. Moreover, Zn deficiency induces flower abortion and ovule infertility, leading to low seedset and substantial yield reductions. Nonetheless, inclusion of chickpea in cropping systems (e.g. rice–wheat), either in rotation or intercropped with cereals, improves Zn availability in the soil through the release of phosphatases, carboxylates, and protons by roots and soil microbes. This review discusses the role of Zn in chickpea biology, various factors affecting Zn availability, and Zn dynamics in soil and chickpea-based cropping systems. The review also covers innovative breeding strategies for developing Zn-efficient varieties, biofortification, and agronomic approaches for managing Zn deficiency in chickpea. Strategies to improve grain yield and grain Zn concentration in chickpea through use of different Zn-application methods—soil, foliar and seed treatments—that are simple, efficient and cost-effective for farmers are also discussed. Screening of efficient genotypes for root Zn uptake and translocation to the grain should be included in breeding programs to develop Zn-efficient chickpea genotypes.