The correct option is
B spinach
Biofortification is the breeding of crops with higher levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals or healthier fats to improve their nutritional quality.
This has huge significance in developing countries like India where the majority of the population suffers from malnutrition or micronutrient deficiency, as they cannot afford nutritional food. Thus biofortifying of the staple food crops (rice, wheat), fruits and vegetables is an effective solution to this crisis.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi has released several vegetable crops enriched with vitamins and minerals. Different varieties of spinach that are enriched with vitamin A, iron and calcium have been released by the IARI.
Iron is needed for haemoglobin production in the body and its deficiency causes low levels of circulating healthy red blood cells in the body. This disorder is known as anemia.
Vitamin A is essential for the synthesis of rhodopsin pigment in the retina that helps in proper vision in darkness or in dim light. Deficiency of vitamin A reduces rhodopsin synthesis which leads to night blindness (inabilty to see properly in dimlight or night).
Calcium is essential for strong bones, teeth, blood clotting, etc. Lack of calcium in the body can lead to brittle bones, nails, muscle cramps and spasms.
IARI has also released the below mentioned crops.
- Vitamin A enriched carrot, spinach and pumpkin.
- Protein enriched beans such as broad beans, garden pea, lablab, French beans etc.
- Iron and calcium enriched spinach and bathua.
- Vitamin C enriched bathua, mustard, tomato and bitter gourd.