Genetic dissection of moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) gene pool for leaf micronutrient and phytochemical qualities for bio-fortification

Micronutrient and phytochemical deficiencies pose a significant global health challenge, with Asia and Africa disproportionately affected, and India hosting nearly half of the impacted population. In response, strategies like genetic biofortification have been pursued to combat malnutrition. Recently, moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) has gained recognition as a superfood due to its high minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals, and antioxidant contents in its leaves. However, addressing global malnutrition challenges and meeting the rising demand for moringa leaves necessitates the development of superior nutrient-dense genotypes with minimized antinutritional factors. With this aim, 52 moringa genotypes were collected from key traditional growing regions nationwide at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, India and assessed for fifteen biochemical traits, including seven minerals and eight phytochemicals, across three contrasting leaf harvest seasons. The results revealed highly significant differences among them. The greater phenotypic coefficient of variation compared to the genotypic coefficient of variation across all traits indicates the influence of environmental conditions on these traits. High heritability and genetic gain estimates recorded for several traits indicate the predominance of additive gene action governing them. The superior genotypes exhibited high nutrient efficiency, with increases of 57.83% for Ca, 61.10% for Fe, 56.23% for Zn, and 83.31% for Cu over the gene pool mean and commercial cultivars. Noteworthy genotypes, such as IIHR-D-55 (Ca and Zn), IIHR-D-99 (Mg and ascorbic acid content), IIHR-D-86 (total phenols and antioxidant activity), and IIHR-D-80 (low oxalate), hold promise for utilization in the pharmaceutical industry and household-level biofortification.