Distribution of Nutritional and Mineral Components in Important Crop Plants

Plants are a source of nutrient (organic or inorganic) compounds. The transport and localization of diverse nutrient compounds in different plant tissues or cell-types have received considerable attention. The advancement in imaging technologies has generated crucial information about the differential nutrient accumulation pattern in the storage organs of staple food crops, wheat, barley, rice, etc. The spatial distribution map of nutrient molecules, at the resolution of cell-type in different plant organs, is helpful in revealing the molecular mechanism of their transportation, and distribution. Considering the increasing population, crop yield is an important parameter of agriculture research. However, the availability of the essential nutritional compounds in the edible plant part is vital for obtaining quality food, fulfilling the health requirements. The understanding of nutrient localization in plant tissues is meaningful in designing the breeding and biotechnological approaches of crop improvement. This chapter provides insights into the distribution of nutritional and mineral components in important crops.