Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is one of the most important cropping systems in South Asia. However, sustainability of this system is under threat owing to several factors, of which deficiency of micronutrients particularly zinc (Zn), boron (B) and manganese (Mn) is one of the major problems. Continuous rotation of rice and wheat, imbalanced fertilizer use and little/no use of micronutrient-enriched fertilizers induce deficiencies of Zn, B and Mn in the RWCS of South Asia. Here we review that (i) imbalanced fertilizer use and organic matter depletion deteriorate soil structure resulting in low efficiency of applied macro- and micro-nutrients in RWCS. (ii) The micronutrients (Zn, B and Mn) are essentially involved in metabolism of rice and wheat plants, including chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthesis, enzyme activation and membrane integrity. (iii) Availability and uptake of Zn, B and Mn from rhizosphere depend on the physico-chemical soil properties (which differ under aerobic and anaerobic conditions) including soil pH, soil organic matter, soil moisture and interaction of these micronutrients with other nutrients. (iv) Plant ability to uptake and utilize the nutrients is affected by several plant factors such as root architecture, root hairs, transport kinetics parameter and root exudates. (v) Crop management and application of these microelements can help correct the micronutrients deficiency and enhance their grain concentration.

稻麦系统（RWCS）是南亚最重要的系统之一。然而，由于多种因素，该系统的可持续性受到威胁，其中微量元素特别是锌（Zn），硼（B）和锰（Mn）的缺乏是主要问题之一。稻米和小麦的持续轮作，肥料使用不平衡以及微量营养元素丰富的肥料的很少/不使用导致南亚RWCS锌，硼和锰的缺乏。在这里，我们回顾（i）肥料使用不平衡和有机物耗竭使土壤结构恶化，从而导致RWCS中大量和微量营养素的施用效率低下。（ii）微量营养元素（锌，硼和锰）基本上参与稻米和小麦植物的代谢，包括叶绿素合成，光合作用，酶活化和膜完整性。（iii）根际中锌，硼和锰的有效性和吸收取决于土壤的物理化学性质（在有氧和厌氧条件下有所不同），包括土壤的pH值，土壤有机质，土壤湿度以及这些微量营养素与其他营养素的相互作用。（iv）植物吸收和利用养分的能力受几种植物因素的影响，例如根系结构，根毛，转运动力学参数和根系分泌物。（v）作物管理和这些微量元素的应用可以帮助纠正微量营养素的缺乏并提高其谷物浓度。土壤水分以及这些微量营养素与其他营养素的相互作用。（iv）植物吸收和利用养分的能力受几种植物因素的影响，例如根系结构，根毛，转运动力学参数和根系分泌物。（v）作物管理和这些微量元素的应用可以帮助纠正微量营养素的缺乏并提高其谷物的浓度。土壤水分以及这些微量营养素与其他营养素的相互作用。（iv）植物吸收和利用养分的能力受几种植物因素的影响，例如根系结构，根毛，转运动力学参数和根系分泌物。（v）作物管理和这些微量元素的应用可以帮助纠正微量营养素的缺乏并提高其谷物的浓度。