Dataset for: Agronomic biofortification by foliar application of Zn in selected potato (Solanum 1 tuberosum) clones biofortified with high Zn levels by conventional breeding

This study investigates the effects of agronomic biofortification using foliar zinc fertilization on four biofortified clones with different Zn levels and a non-biofortified commercial variety. These biofortified clones were developed through conventional breeding by the Internacional Potato Center. The main objective of our research was to increase the zinc content in the potato tubers grown in alkaline soil. Our results indicate that potato clones biofortified with zinc through conventional breeding show a significant response to foliar fertilization, achieving an average 43% (rank 28-61%) increase in zinc concentration in the tubers, compared to a 6 % increase observed in the non-biofortified commercial variety. This finding highlights the synergistic value of the genetic and agronomic biofortification as complementary strategy for improving nutrition. In this way, this article contributes to the field of crop biofortification as a crucial strategy to combat micronutrient deficiency, or “hidden hunger’, which affects one-third of the global population