Since iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients for human immunity and metabolic activities, it is important to biofortify major food crops such as wheat and improve the bioavailability of Fe and Zn. In this review, we focused on analyzing studies conducted to identify and evaluate QTLs, genes, and associated molecular markers related to Fe and Zn content in wheat, their absorption mechanisms, and bioavailability in terms of genetics and breeding. Because bread wheat has a limited Fe and Zn content in its grains, many studies have used wild, synthetic, or mutant wheat resources with high Fe and Zn contents. Many studies have been conducted to characterize related genes, of which Gpc-B1 is the major gene that increases the final content of Fe, Zn, and protein in association with an Gpc-B1 increase in Fe uptake and regulate Zip and YSL expression. Research determining the appropriate phytic acid content and increasing phytase activity to improve bioavailability was also highlighted.

“Hyangcheola” is a new japonica rice variety developed as a cross between “Joryeong” and “Seolhyangchal” by the rice breeding team at NICS in 2014. The heading date of “Hyangcheola” is July 28 in the middle plain area, which is 8 days earlier than that of “Hwaseong.” “Hyangcheola” has a 76 cm long culm, which is 8 cm shorter than “Hwaseong” and has 86 spikelets per panicle. The viviparous germination rate of “Hyangcheola” was 27.9%. It showed resistance to stripe virus but susceptibility to bacterial blight (K1, K2, and K3 races), dwarf and black streak dwarf viruses and planthoppers. The milled rice of this variety exhibits translucent and medium short grain shape. The protein content of “Hyangcheola” was 8.2%, which was 1.5% higher than that of “Hwaseong.” “Hyangcheola” is a rice with a fragrant aroma. The content of iron in 100 g of brown “Hyangcheola” rice was 15.12 mg, which is 3.69 mg higher than that of “Hwaseong,” and the zinc content was 32.24 mg, which is 8.75 mg more than that of the comparative variety “Hwaseong.” The average milled rice yield of “Hyangcheola” was 4.8 MT/ha at our sites under ordinary cultivation (Registration No. 6807).