Editorial: Agro-morphological and nutritional profiling of crops Vol. 2

Abstract

worldwide still lack access to a nutritious and balanced diet, while 720-811 million individuals remain chronically undernourished. Micronutrient malnutrition continues to persist at alarming levels, with one-third of women of reproductive age affected by anemia and approximately 22% of children under five suffering from stunting. These figures clearly demonstrate that food security cannot be addressed by caloric sufficiency alone, but must prioritize nutrient quality, dietary diversity, and functional health outcomes.In this context, agro-morphological and nutritional profiling of crops has emerged as a critical scientific approach to bridge agriculture, nutrition, and human health. Comprehensive characterization of crops-encompassing phenotypic traits, nutritional and anti-nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and environmental interactions-provides the foundation for identifying nutrient-dense germplasm and promoting crops with direct relevance to public health. Diversification of agricultural and food systems through the inclusion of underutilized, neglected, and climate-resilient crops offers a sustainable pathway to combat hidden hunger, strengthen resilience to climate variability, and enhance long-term food system sustainability. However, important gaps remain in understanding nutrient bioavailability, anti-nutritional factors, and the translation of crop-level knowledge into Extending beyond primary crop production, the Research Topic also engages with the nutritional quality of foods as they reach consumers. Bhatnagar et al. evaluated packaged snack foods available in the Indian market using nutrient profiling models to assess the validity of nutrition-related claims. The study reveals notable mismatches between marketed claims and actual nutritional composition, raising critical concerns regarding consumer awareness, food labeling, and regulatory oversight. This contribution emphasizes that nutritional profiling must extend along the food value chain, linking crop composition with food processing, marketing practices, and public health implications.The significance of minor cereals for sustainable and nutrition-sensitive agriculture is highlighted by Reinman et al., who investigated mineral composition, seed morphology, and agronomic traits of proso millet grown in the inland Pacific Northwest. Their integrated assessment confirms proso millet's potential as a nutrient-dense, climate-resilient crop capable of contributing to diversified cereal-based food systems. Such findings support renewed attention to small millets and underutilized grains as strategic crops for enhancing both environmental sustainability and nutritional security.Finally, the complex interaction between genotype, environment, and nutritional expression is examined by Jat et al., who assessed antioxidant activity, dietary nutrients, and yield potential of bitter gourd lines across diverse growing environments. By identifying nutritionally superior lines with stable performance, this study highlights the value of multienvironment testing for selecting germplasm that combines productivity with enhanced nutritional quality. The work provides important insights for breeding programs aiming to integrate nutritional traits alongside conventional agronomic targets.Taken together, the studies in this Research Topic demonstrate that agro-morphological and nutritional profiling is not merely descriptive, but a strategic enabler of nutrition-sensitive agriculture. By integrating phenotyping, biochemical analysis, and nutritional evaluation, these contributions provide actionable knowledge for germplasm discovery, crop improvement, and promotion of nutrient-rich foods. They also underscore the need for deeper exploration of anti-nutritional factors, nutrient bioavailability, and the incorporation of crop diversity into policy-supported food systems.We hope that Agro-Morphological and Nutritional Profiling of Crops -Vol. 2 will stimulate further interdisciplinary research across agriculture, nutrition, biochemistry, biotechnology, and food technology. By strengthening the scientific basis for identifying and promoting nutritionally superior crops, this collection contributes to sustainable agriculture, improved human health, and global efforts toward achieving Zero Hunger.

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