Assessment of essential micronutrient levels in common beans in Kenya, by Ms. Magdalene Nguli, MSc Student, Friday 9th January 2015

Abstract

Micronutrients are essential for growth of plants and are required in very small quantities. The inadequate supply of one or more of the micronutrients results in reduced yields and impaired quality of crop products. However, crop species vary in their vulnerability to micronutrient deficiencies. Although acute micronutrient deficiencies in food crops may be accompanied by visible symptoms, hidden deficiencies without obvious symptoms are in general more widespread (Alloway, 2008). Micronutrients are transferred through the food chain to human beings and other animals and are essential for health, growth and development. Their deficiency results in ‘hidden hunger’ meaning that the caloric needs of the people would be met although they do not take a nutritionally appropriate diet (Burchi, Fanzo and Frison, 2011). In this study, essential micronutrient concentrations in common beans will be analysed using Total reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES).