**1. Introduction**

Micronutrients, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iodine (I), carotenoids, and folates are essential nutrients required for human growth and development, as these contribute to various metabolic functions in human. The majority of the world's population depends on plant-based foods which are often low in key micronutrients [1], and do not meet the recommended daily allowances (RDA). Micronutrient malnutrition is commonly known as "hidden hunger" and affects one in three people worldwide [2]. Micronutrient deficiencies may lead to serious illnesses such as poor growth, intellectual impairments, perinatal complications, and increased risk of morbidity and mortality [3]. Further, they aggravate infectious and chronic diseases including osteoporosis osteomalacia, thyroid deficiency, colorectal cancer, and cardiovascular diseases and thus greatly impact quality of life [4].

Deficiencies of Fe, Zn, folic acid, and β-carotene are global issues, but they are more predominant in Asian, African, and Latin American countries and affect more than two billion people [4,5]. Micronutrient deficiency and undernourishment of pregnan<sup>t</sup> mothers affects nearly 50% of the world's population, potentially leading to intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, protein-energy malnutrition, and chronic energy deficit [6]. Though rates are higher in Africa and Asia, deficiencies of the four common micronutrients, Fe, I, Zn, and vitamin A, alone are responsible for about 12% of deaths globally among children under 5 years of age [6].

Food crops rich in nutrients could address deficiencies of micronutrients and thus provide a sustainable solution to global health issues [7]. Peas (*Pisum sativum* L.), chickpeas (*Cicer arietinum* L.), lentils (*Lens culinaris* Medik.), common beans (*Phaseolus vulgaris* L.), and mungbeans (*Vigna radiate* L.) are major pulse crops grown worldwide [8]. They are grea<sup>t</sup> sources of dietary proteins, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals required for human nutrition [9–15]. Pulse crops are used in traditional diets of people in many parts of the world since they are rich in proteins and amino acid and are slowly digestible carbohydrates [8,9,16]. They are easily available to all groups of people

on a regular basis and provide the least expensive source of proteins and micronutrients [17]. Pulse consumption has been increasing owing to their health and environmental benefits [18].

Micronutrient malnutrition has received increased attention in recent decades at a global level and e fforts have been made to combat them by various strategies such as increased food production, supplementation, food fortification, and biofortification. Biofortification, enriching the nutritional quality of food crop using either conventional plant breeding or modern biotechnology, is a balanced approach to overcome mineral deficiencies [19–22]. Biofortification through plant breeding to improve the nutritional profile of pulse crops has gained momentum in the past decade. In this regard, several studies in pulse crops have identified genetic variation for the key micronutrients in the available gene pools, with promising breeding lines being used in breeding, and associated genotypic markers for marker assisted selection [11–13,23–30]. This review will focus on recent research advances for the improvement of key micronutrients, Fe, Zn, Se, I, carotenoids, and folates in pulse crops. This review will also discuss challenges and future strategies for the biofortification of pulse crops.
