Selenium, Iodine, and Supplementary Blue Light Enriched Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracum L.) in Terms of Biochemical Quality, Mineral Uptake, and Trace Elements Accumulation in a Hydroponic System

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1. What is the agriculture system used in this study? It should be added to the title. For example, Evaluation of the Selenium, Iodine, and Supplementary Blue Light Influence on the Biochemical Compounds and Nutrients Content Of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgracum L.) Medicinal Plant hydroponically.
2. The level of English throughout the manuscript does not meet the journal’s required standard. Therefore, you may wish to ask a native speaker to check your manuscript for grammar, style, and syntax. In addition, it needs heavy English proofreading and editing.
3. The reference styles should be Numerical or Vancouver[1]. Please check the journal guidelines.
4. The abstract must have a rationale, an objective, materials and methods, results, and conclusions. The first sentence must be a rationale.
5. The introduction must be improved by adding new information, including recent information about the effect of Selenium, Iodine, and Supplementary Blue Light Influence on the Nutrient contents of Fenugreek.
6. The introduction does not clearly justify the choice of experimental factors (sodium selenate, potassium iodate, and blue light) or how they relate to the research objectives. Providing a brief rationale would enhance the reader's understanding.
7. The introduction lacks reference support; content should be revised, and suitable recent references may be added. The reference should be from 2016-2023.).
8. The materials and methods should be revised due to the need for more information about the agriculture system used in this study.
9. The materials and methods were unclear to me, and I cannot understand what the authors did due to the incorrectly arranged data in this section. Therefore, I have some questions:

9.1.What is the agricultural system used in this study?

9.2 What is the planting density of Fenugreek?

9.3 What is the substrate or the growth medium used in this study?

9.3 Is the pots used to grow the plant or what?

9.4 What was the seedling age of Fenugreek when it shifted to the agriculture system?

9.5 What is the composition of Hoagland's nutrient solution supplemented?

9.6 What is the pH and EC for the Hoagland's nutrient solution

 And how to do the authors manage the pH and EC when applying the sodium selenate fertilizer (S1: 0, S2: 2, and S3: 4 mg/l), and three levels of potassium iodate???

9.7  Please insert photo for the experiment.

9.8  I also have some concerns about the experimental design, which is a completely randomized design (CRD). Have the authors controlled the environmental conditions such as air temperature, humidity, light intensity etc.

9.9  What is the control treatment for each factor?

9.10          It mentions that supplementary blue light was provided, but specifics about the blue lighting system, such as the wavelength, intensity, and duration of exposure, are missing. These details are crucial as they directly relate to the experiment's objectives.

9.11          The section mentions that traits were measured at two growth stages (40 and 80 days after seed sowing). Still, it does not specify the criteria for selecting these time points or how samples were collected and prepared for analysis.

9.12          There is a minor inconsistency in the description of the third factor, where it is initially referred to as "two additional light radiations" and later as "supplementary blue light." Clarifying this terminology would improve consistency.          

10.  Subtitles should be rearranged to make it easier to understand the materials and methods, as follows:

1. Location and environmental conditions
2. Agriculture system and experimental design
3. Plant materials
4. Treatments
5. Statically analysis

What about the period for conducting this experiment in days?

Please include the following details:

The experiment started on a day of the month and ended on a day of the year. For example, the experiment started on June 22 and ended on October 22, 2020.

1. Also, regarding the nutrient solution preparation, insert the specific amount for all nutrients for stocks A and B.

11.  For the results, the authors explain the results by highest and lowest. The authors should explain the results by percentages of increase or decrease in the phytochemical composition or nutrient content

2. The discussion is the weakest part and must be substantially improved. The authors mostly only make comparisons of their results with the literature's results. However, they do not discuss the mechanisms by which the results are obtained. 

The level of English throughout the manuscript does not meet the journal’s required standard. Therefore, you may wish to ask a native speaker to check your manuscript for grammar, style, and syntax. In addition, it needs heavy English proofreading and editing

Author Response

Dear Reviewer:

We are very grateful to you for the opportunity to revise our manuscript, Selenium, iodine and supplementary blue light enriched fen-ugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracum L.) in terms of biochemical quality, mineral uptake and trace elements accumulation in a hydroponic system (Manuscript ID: agriculture-2593939). We appreciate the careful review and beneficial suggestions. It is our opinion that the manuscript is markedly improved after making the suggested edits. Following this letter are the reviewer comments with our responses. Changes made in the manuscript are marked using Word Track Changes. The revision has been developed in consultation with all coauthors, and each author has given approval to the final form of this revision. Thank you for your consideration.

Regarding the findings of this article, we very much hope the revised manuscript is accepted for publication in Journal.

Sincerely,

Best Regards

Dariush Ramezan¹ and Meisam Zargar²

¹ Department of Horticulture and landscaping, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

² Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia

Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]

1. What is the agriculture system used in this study? It should be added to the title. For example,Evaluation of the Selenium, Iodine, and Supplementary Blue Light Influence on the Biochemical Compounds and Nutrients Content Of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum gracum L.) Medicinal Plant hydroponically.

1. The level of English throughout the manuscript does not meet the journal’s required standard. Therefore, you may wish to ask a native speaker to check your manuscript for grammar, style, and syntax. In addition, it needs heavy English proofreading and editing.
2. The reference styles should be Numerical or Vancouver [1]. Please check the journal guidelines.
3. The abstract must have a rationale, an objective, materials and methods, results, and conclusions. The first sentence must be a rationale.
4. The introduction must be improved by adding new information, including recent information about the effect of Selenium, Iodine, and Supplementary Blue Light Influence on the Nutrient contents of Fenugreek.

6. The introduction does not clearly justify the choice of experimental factors (sodium selenate, potassium iodate, and blue light) or how they relate to the research objectives. Providing a brief rationale would enhance the reader's understanding.

1. The introduction lacks reference support; content should be revised, and suitable recent references may be added. The reference should be from 2016-2023.).
2. The materials and methods should be revised due to the need for more information about the agriculture system used in this study.

Authors' comment:

Considering the comments of the honorable reviewer, the abstract and the introduction were completely revised.

9. The materials and methods were unclear to me, and I cannot understand what the authors did due to the incorrectly arranged data in this section. Therefore, I have some questions:

9.1. What is the agricultural system used in this study?

9.2 What is the planting density of Fenugreek?

9.3 What is the substrate or the growth medium used in this study?

9.3 Is the pots used to grow the plant or what?

9.4 What was the seedling age of Fenugreek when it shifted to the agriculture system?

9.5 What is the composition of Hoagland's nutrient solution supplemented?

9.6 What is the pH and EC for the Hoagland's nutrient solution

 And how to do the authors manage the pH and EC when applying the sodium selenate fertilizer (S1: 0, S2: 2, and S3: 4 mg/l), and three levels of potassium iodate???

9.7  Please insert photo for the experiment.

9.8  I also have some concerns about the experimental design, which is a completely randomized design (CRD). Have the authors controlled the environmental conditions such as air temperature, humidity, light intensity etc.

9.9  What is the control treatment for each factor?

9.10 It mentions that supplementary blue light was provided, but specifics about the blue lighting system, such as the wavelength, intensity, and duration of exposure, are missing. These details are crucial as they directly relate to the experiment's objectives.

9.11 There is a minor inconsistency in the description of the third factor, where it is initially referred to as "two additional light radiations" and later as "supplementary blue light." Clarifying this terminology would improve consistency.     

  Authors' comment:

We thank the honorable reviewer for these valuable comments. All comments related to materials and methods were applied in the text and the materials and methods section was completely revised.

10. Subtitles should be rearranged to make it easier to understand the materials and methods, as follows:

1. Location and environmental conditions
2. Agriculture system and experimental design
3. Plant materials
4. Treatments
5. Statically analysis

What about the period for conducting this experiment in days?

Please include the following details:

The experiment started on a day of the month and ended on a day of the year. For example, the experiment started on June 22 and ended on October 22, 2020.\

1. Also, regarding the nutrient solution preparation, insert the specific amount for all nutrients for stocks A and B.

Authors' comment:

We thank the respected reviewer for these appreciated comments. All comments related to the materials and methods and results modified in the text, which are now available.

11. For the results, the authors explain the results by highest and lowest. The authors should explain the results by percentages of increase or decrease in the phytochemical composition or nutrient content

1. The discussion is the weakest part and must be substantially improved. The authors mostly only make comparisons of their results with the literature's results. However, they do not discuss the mechanisms by which the results are obtained.

Authors' comment:

We thank respected reviewer for these appreciated comments. All comments related to the materials and methods and conclusions presented in the text were revised, which are now available.

Reviewer 2 Report

The study investigates the effects of selenium, iodine, and blue light on physicochemical properties, mineral elements, and the medicinal composition of trigonelline in fenugreek seeds and shoots at two growth stages. These research results are meaningful for production of fenugreek.

 1. Line 67  recentresearch，Line 47  micronutrientessential and Line598  observedat  should be spelled separately. Some sentences need polishing. For example, In there experiment,  Blue light increased; red lettuce leaves' total phenol levels and antioxidant capacity.

 2. In line 67-78, only one reference in a paragraph is not appropriate. Additionally, this paragraph can be streamlined Because the proportion of light has little significance in the experiment of this article.

 3. Line 79-97 should be merged into one paragraph.

 4. “th” in line92 Should be deleted.

 5. What does Line 98 T represent? Please use full name. Is the spelling of cuses correct.

 6. The order in which the result graph and table appear is in the order described by the results.

 7. After each result description, a summary should be made to explain what the results indicate, which can attract readers to focus on the results.

 8. Unit ppm, please change to mg/Kg. Many units are inaccurate in Table 6, such as mg·L， mg.L^-1

 9. Growth and immune system in keyword should be delete because the research content in this area is not reflected in the paper at all.

 10. It is best to include in the discussion how our research findings will be applied in the future.

Some spelling errors need to be checked. Some sentences need be polished. 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer:

We are very grateful to you for the opportunity to revise our manuscript, Selenium, iodine and supplementary blue light enriched fen-ugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracum L.) in terms of biochemical quality, mineral uptake and trace elements accumulation in a hydroponic system (Manuscript ID: agriculture-2593939). We appreciate the careful review and beneficial suggestions. It is our opinion that the manuscript is markedly improved after making the suggested edits. Following this letter are the reviewer comments with our responses. Changes made in the manuscript are marked using Word Track Changes. The revision has been developed in consultation with all coauthors, and each author has given approval to the final form of this revision. Thank you for your consideration.

Regarding the findings of this article, we very much hope the revised manuscript is accepted for publication in Journal.

Sincerely,

Best Regards

Dariush Ramezan¹ and Meisam Zargar²

¹ Department of Horticulture and landscaping, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

² Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia

Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]

The study investigates the effects of selenium, iodine, and blue light on physicochemical properties, mineral elements, and the medicinal composition of trigonelline in fenugreek seeds and shoots at two growth stages. These research results are meaningful for production of fenugreek.

1. Line 67 recentresearch，Line 47  micronutrientessential and Line598  observedat  should be spelled separately. Some sentences need polishing. For example, In there experiment,  Blue light increased; red lettuce leaves' total phenol levels and antioxidant capacity.
2. In line 67-78, only one reference in a paragraph is not appropriate. Additionally, this paragraph can be streamlined Because the proportion of light has little significance in the experiment of this article.
3. Line 79-97 should be merged into one paragraph.
4. “th” in line92 Should be deleted.
5. What does Line 98 T represent? Please use full name. Is the spelling of cuses correct.
6. The order in which the result graph and table appear is in the order described by the results.
7. After each result description, a summary should be made to explain what the results indicate, which can attract readers to focus on the results.
8. Unit ppm, please change to mg/Kg. Many units are inaccurate in Table 6, such as mg·L， mg.L-1
9. Growth and immune system in keyword should be delete because the research content in this area is not reflected in the paper at all.
10. It is best to include in the discussion how our research findings will be applied in the future.

Authors' comment:

We thank the respected reviewer for these appreciated comments. The revision was done based on the comments of the respected referee and now it is highlighted by word track change.

Reviewer 3 Report

The following article, titled "Professional Evaluation of Selenium, Iodine, and Supplementary Blue Light's Impact on the Biochemical Constituents and Nutrient Profile of the Medicinal Plant Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgracum L.)," embarks on an investigation into the application of selenium and iodine within agricultural contexts with the primary aim of enhancing the nutritional composition of agricultural produce designated for human consumption. This research was executed through the implementation of a three-factor factorial experimental design within a completely randomized framework. The primary factors encompassed varying concentrations of sodium selenate fertilizer, potassium iodate, and distinct radiation levels, specifically blue light and natural sunlight. This original inquiry holds substantial promise in terms of its potential contributions to the existing body of scientific literature. Nonetheless, certain concerns warrant elucidation and rectification within the manuscript, as delineated in the subsequent enumeration:

1.  The introductory section may be enhanced through a more organized structure that incorporates discrete segments, including but not limited to the rationale for the study, elucidation of research objectives, and a succinct synopsis of preliminary findings.
2.  While the article briefly touches upon the significance of selenium, iodine, and blue light, it is advisable to delve more profoundly into this justification. Expound upon the critical roles these elements play within the realm of crop cultivation and their indispensability in the context of human and animal nutrition. Clarify the specific roles they undertake within the purview of your research.
3.  Please commence the introduction with a lucid articulation of the precise objectives that your research endeavors to accomplish. It is paramount for readers to ascertain the overarching goals of this study from its inception.
4.  Elucidate the rationale underlying the selection of a three-factor factorial experimental design and elucidate the significance of the chosen factors, namely sodium selenate fertilizer, potassium iodate, and light radiations, within the context of your research. This elucidation will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the research's contextual framework.
5.  Provide exhaustive details pertaining to the fenugreek plant seeds, encompassing their origin, variety, and any specialized treatments administered prior to planting. This information assumes significance with regard to reproducibility and contextualization of the research.
6.  In the section dedicated to Data Analysis, furnish comprehensive information concerning the statistical analysis. Specify the particular statistical tests employed and disclose the version of the software used for analysis.
7.  Engage in a discourse concerning the potential applications of the derived results. For instance, delineate how these findings can be harnessed to ameliorate the nutritional quality of crops or optimize farming practices.
8.  Consider appending a succinct introductory sentence to the conclusion section, effectively recapitulating the context of the study and its overarching objective. Such an inclusion will serve to provide readers with enhanced comprehension of the significance of the presented results.

The manuscript is well-written, requiring only minor English language edits.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer:

We are very grateful to you for the opportunity to revise our manuscript, Selenium, iodine and supplementary blue light enriched fen-ugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracum L.) in terms of biochemical quality, mineral uptake and trace elements accumulation in a hydroponic system (Manuscript ID: agriculture-2593939). We appreciate the careful review and beneficial suggestions. It is our opinion that the manuscript is markedly improved after making the suggested edits. Following this letter are the reviewer comments with our responses. Changes made in the manuscript are marked using Word Track Changes. The revision has been developed in consultation with all coauthors, and each author has given approval to the final form of this revision. Thank you for your consideration.

Regarding the findings of this article, we very much hope the revised manuscript is accepted for publication in Journal.

Sincerely,

Best Regards

Dariush Ramezan¹ and Meisam Zargar²

¹ Department of Horticulture and landscaping, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

² Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia

Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]

The following article, titled "Professional Evaluation of Selenium, Iodine, and Supplementary Blue Light's Impact on the Biochemical Constituents and Nutrient Profile of the Medicinal Plant Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgracum L.)," embarks on an investigation into the application of selenium and iodine within agricultural contexts with the primary aim of enhancing the nutritional composition of agricultural produce designated for human consumption. This research was executed through the implementation of a three-factor factorial experimental design within a completely randomized framework. The primary factors encompassed varying concentrations of sodium selenate fertilizer, potassium iodate, and distinct radiation levels, specifically blue light and natural sunlight. This original inquiry holds substantial promise in terms of its potential contributions to the existing body of scientific literature. Nonetheless, certain concerns warrant elucidation and rectification within the manuscript, as delineated in the subsequent enumeration:

1- The introductory section may be enhanced through a more organized structure that incorporates discrete segments, including but not limited to the rationale for the study, elucidation of research objectives, and a succinct synopsis of preliminary findings.

2- While the article briefly touches upon the significance of selenium, iodine, and blue light, it is advisable to delve more profoundly into this justification. Expound upon the critical roles these elements play within the realm of crop cultivation and their indispensability in the context of human and animal nutrition. Clarify the specific roles they undertake within the purview of your research.

3- Please commence the introduction with a lucid articulation of the precise objectives that your research endeavors to accomplish. It is paramount for readers to ascertain the overarching goals of this study from its inception.

4- Elucidate the rationale underlying the selection of a three-factor factorial experimental design and elucidate the significance of the chosen factors, namely sodium selenate fertilizer, potassium iodate, and light radiations, within the context of your research. This elucidation will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the research's contextual framework.

5- Provide exhaustive details pertaining to the fenugreek plant seeds, encompassing their origin, variety, and any specialized treatments administered prior to planting. This information assumes significance with regard to reproducibility and contextualization of the research.

6- In the section dedicated to Data Analysis, furnish comprehensive information concerning the statistical analysis. Specify the particular statistical tests employed and disclose the version of the software used for analysis.

7- Engage in a discourse concerning the potential applications of the derived results. For instance, delineate how these findings can be harnessed to ameliorate the nutritional quality of crops or optimize farming practices.

8- Consider appending a succinct introductory sentence to the conclusion section, effectively recapitulating the context of the study and its overarching objective. Such an inclusion will serve to provide readers with enhanced comprehension of the significance of the presented results.

Authors' comment:

Thanks for these remarks. The revision was done based on the comments of the respected referee and now it is highlighted by word track change.

Reviewer 4 Report

agriculture-2593939

General remarks:

The pdf may have deconfigured the original document. The pdf has double white spaces between some words. The pdf has words with the first letter in capital letters when they should be in lower case, etc.

Some sentences from the text are repeated in the document:

L 63 – L 66 and L 555 -L 559.

Blue light can induce the expression of genes involved in the production of enzymes 63 such as PAL (phenylalanine ammonialyase), CHS (calcene synthase), and DFR (dihydro- 64 flavono-l-4-reductase), which are critical elements in the biosynthetic pathways of antho- 65 cyanin and flavonoid compounds (Son and Oh, 2012).

I consider that the authors should provide more results. For instance, the authors mentioned (L 28) that the highest and lowest leaf protein value was observed on the 40th day and was subjected to supplementary blue light and sunlight treatments. A better description of the light radiations used in this study is needed.

Alternatively, the authors may consider including plant growth data. These results may be presented and correlated with the micronutrient contents of the leaves.

Authors should use the International System of Units.

References should be numbered in order of appearance and indicated by a numeral or numerals in square brackets—e.g., [1] or [2,3], or [4–6].

Authors should indicate in the upper left corner, before the title, the Type of Paper.

Abstract

The abstract is too long. Authors should reduce the abstract to 200 words.

Authors should write the abstract as indicated by Agriculture.

Introduction

In my opinion the introduction is too generic, it describes parameters in other crops and does not really focus on the working plant (Fenugreek plant). Some parts are not directly related to the topic (see for example lines: 63-64 and 555-557).

L 49: Authors should add a reference to the sentence: Selenium and iodine elements significantly affect the growth and quality of vegetable crops.

As it is written we don't understand why the authors measured Total Sugar Content values. Why it is important to measure this parameter in the context of the present study (Fenugreek plant)?

L 67: Indicate the year of the reference: Rui et al

L 98: rewrite.

L 100: vegetables appear in capital letters.

Materials and Methods

Authors should indicate the total number of pots used (57 pots?).

Authors could better explain the characteristics of light radiations: Blue light and how the Blue light was applied (e.g. distance from Blue light to each pot).

L 204: Two full stop are displayed.

Results

The authors should reorder the Tables and Figures in the document.

L246 to L 286: All Tables and Figures should be inserted into the main text close to their first citation and must be numbered following their number of appearances.

Discussion

The discussion of the results is overall insufficient. Please describe some ecological, financial and/or technical practical implications of the findings.

Conclusions

The authors should rewrite the Conclusions.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer:

We are very grateful to you for the opportunity to revise our manuscript, Selenium, iodine and supplementary blue light enriched fen-ugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracum L.) in terms of biochemical quality, mineral uptake and trace elements accumulation in a hydroponic system (Manuscript ID: agriculture-2593939). We appreciate the careful review and beneficial suggestions. It is our opinion that the manuscript is markedly improved after making the suggested edits. Following this letter are the reviewer comments with our responses. Changes made in the manuscript are marked using Word Track Changes. The revision has been developed in consultation with all coauthors, and each author has given approval to the final form of this revision. Thank you for your consideration.

Regarding the findings of this article, we very much hope the revised manuscript is accepted for publication in Journal.

Sincerely,

Best Regards

Dariush Ramezan¹ and Meisam Zargar²

¹ Department of Horticulture and landscaping, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

² Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agriculture, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia

Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]

General remarks:

The pdf may have deconfigured the original document. The pdf has double white spaces between some words. The pdf has words with the first letter in capital letters when they should be in lower case, etc.

Some sentences from the text are repeated in the document:

L 63 – L 66 and L 555 -L 559.

Blue light can induce the expression of genes involved in the production of enzymes 63 such as PAL (phenylalanine ammonialyase), CHS (calcene synthase), and DFR (dihydro- 64 flavono-l-4-reductase), which are critical elements in the biosynthetic pathways of antho- 65 cyanin and flavonoid compounds (Son and Oh, 2012).

I consider that the authors should provide more results. For instance, the authors mentioned (L 28) that the highest and lowest leaf protein value was observed on the 40th day and was subjected to supplementary blue light and sunlight treatments. A better description of the light radiations used in this study is needed.

Alternatively, the authors may consider including plant growth data. These results may be presented and correlated with the micronutrient contents of the leaves.

Authors should use the International System of Units.

References should be numbered in order of appearance and indicated by a numeral or numerals in square brackets—e.g., [1] or [2,3], or [4–6].

Authors should indicate in the upper left corner, before the title, the Type of Paper.

Abstract

The abstract is too long. Authors should reduce the abstract to 200 words.

Authors should write the abstract as indicated by Agriculture.

Introduction

In my opinion the introduction is too generic, it describes parameters in other crops and does not really focus on the working plant (Fenugreek plant). Some parts are not directly related to the topic (see for example lines: 63-64 and 555-557).

L 49: Authors should add a reference to the sentence: Selenium and iodine elements significantly affect the growth and quality of vegetable crops.

As it is written we don't understand why the authors measured Total Sugar Content values. Why it is important to measure this parameter in the context of the present study (Fenugreek plant)?

L 67: Indicate the year of the reference: Rui et al

L 98: rewrite.

L 100: vegetables appear in capital letters.

Materials and Methods

Authors should indicate the total number of pots used (57 pots?).

Authors could better explain the characteristics of light radiations: Blue light and how the Blue light was applied (e.g. distance from Blue light to each pot).

L 204: Two full stop are displayed.

Results

The authors should reorder the Tables and Figures in the document.

L246 to L 286: All Tables and Figures should be inserted into the main text close to their first citation and must be numbered following their number of appearances.

Discussion

The discussion of the results is overall insufficient. Please describe some ecological, financial and/or technical practical implications of the findings.

Conclusions

The authors should rewrite the Conclusions.

Authors' comment:

Thanks for these remarks. The revision was done based on the comments of the respected referee and now it is highlighted by word track change.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors made a significant improvement to this paper.

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors have effectively addressed all my comments and revisions, and the manuscript is now ready for acceptance.

Reviewer 4 Report

Dear authors,

Thank you very much for the modifications.