Advancing Wheat Productivity Through Nutrient Interactions, Fertilizer Practices, and Genetic Improvement

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a cornerstone of global nutrition yet yield-focused intensification has often overlooked the biological complexity of nutrient interactions and their implications for nutritional outcomes. This review synthesizes current advances in wheat nutrient management from a systems perspective, integrating nutrient interactions, fertilization practices, and genetic improvement. A key novelty of this work is the development of a conceptual framework that links nutrient interaction networks with genotype-specific and environment-dependent responses, providing a unified approach to optimizing wheat productivity. Evidence indicates that plant performance is governed by coordinated nutrient dynamics rather than isolated inputs, with interactions such as nitrogen and sulfur playing a central role in regulating nutrient-use efficiency and metabolic processes. In addition, targeted micronutrient management, particularly zinc and selenium, is highlighted as a practical pathway for agronomic biofortification and enhanced nutritional value. The review further emphasizes substantial genetic variation in nutrient-use efficiency and yield stability, supporting the integration of breeding strategies with fertilization approaches. Emerging tools, including genomic-assisted selection and gene editing, are discussed as enabling technologies. Overall, this synthesis advances a biologically informed framework for sustainable wheat production that improves yield and nutritional outcomes.