Next Article in Journal
Cloning, Expression and Functional Study of OfCOR27 Gene in Osmanthus fragrans
Next Article in Special Issue
Evaluation of Different Bioreactors During In Vitro Shoot Proliferation and Acclimatization of Agave (Agave marmorata Roezl)
Previous Article in Journal
Sap Flow Variability in Malus domestica Borkh. (‘JazzTM’) Trees Under Differing Water Supply Conditions and Fruit Loads
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Plants
Volume 15
Issue 4
10.3390/plants15040609
plants-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Influence of the Hybrid Compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the In Vitro Growth of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.)

by
Christian Lisette Muñoz-Ibarra
1,
José Luis Spinoso-Castillo
2,
Daniel Padilla-Chacón
3,
Xóchitl De Jesús García-Zárate
1,
Rodolfo Peña-Rodríguez
1,
María Teresa González-Arnao
1,
Raúl Colorado-Peralta
1,* and
Carlos Alberto Cruz-Cruz
1,*
1
Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6, No. 1009, Orizaba 94340, Veracruz, Mexico
2
Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Córdoba, Carretera Federal Córdoba—Veracruz, Amatlán de los Reyes 94953, Veracruz, Mexico
3
Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (SECIHTI), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba 94340, Veracruz, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Plants 2026, 15(4), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040609
Submission received: 15 January 2026 / Revised: 5 February 2026 / Accepted: 9 February 2026 / Published: 14 February 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation for In Vitro Plant Propagation and Biotechnological Approaches)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

In agriculture, the use of Porous Coordination Polymers (PCPs), also known as Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs), has emerged as a promising area of research for biological applications, particularly as long-lasting delivery systems for biostimulant chemical compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of the hybrid compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O on the in vitro growth of sugarcane cv. Mex 69–290. To assess the effect on sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.), plantlets were grown in flasks containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium without growth regulators. Each treatment consisted of three independent culture flasks, each containing three sugarcane plantlets, and different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg L−1) of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O were added separately. After 30 days of culture, various growth variables were evaluated, including explant length, number of leaves, number and length of shoots, fresh matter, dry matter, and chlorophyll content (a, b, and total). The 5 mg L−1 concentration of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF increased the number of shoots and leaves in the sugarcane plantlets, and significant increases in fresh and dry matter were observed, while no statistically significant differences were detected in explant length, shoot length, or chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll. However, inhibitory effects were observed at concentrations of 10 and 20 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O, respectively. In conclusion, the hybrid compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF exhibited biostimulatory effects on sugarcane growth and physiology under in vitro conditions, whereas high concentrations of the lanthanum(III) salt caused toxicity symptoms in the sugarcane plantlets.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials composed of self-assembled metal ions and organic ligands that form open crystalline networks [1]. MOFs exhibit several valuable physicochemical properties, including high structural diversity, tunable porosity, large surface area, and remarkable thermal and chemical stability [2]. In addition, they are of particular interest for delivering biologically relevant compounds because their adjustable pores can be functionalized to accommodate specific molecules [3].
Moreover, MOFs have a wide range of promising applications across fields such as chemistry, drug delivery, biomedicine, food safety, and plants. Their unique structural properties can be harnessed to influence metabolic processes by regulating the absorption, storage, and controlled release of various molecules. In agricultural systems, MOFs can directly affect plant growth and development through the release of agronomically important compounds, such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, nucleotides, and proteins [3,4,5], thereby enhancing resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses [5].
For instance, [1] reported that Fe-MOFs promoted the release of essential nutrients (N, P, and Fe) in the soil during the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.), thereby increasing crop yield. Similarly, [6] demonstrated that oxalate–phosphate amine MOFs (OPA-MOFs), which contain nutrients such as N, P, and Fe, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by slowly releasing ammonium into the soil. Furthermore, [7] showed that Fe-MOFs reduced the toxic effects of tebuconazole on T. aestivum plantlets during early growth.
Among MOFs, those composed of lanthanide ions are generally more porous and thus offer a wide range of applications [2], including analyte sorption, gas storage, drug delivery, and environmental pollution control [8]. Lanthanides, as inorganic compounds, are also considered plant biostimulants. At low concentrations, they can stimulate plant growth and enhance yield through hormetic effects [9,10]. Several studies have demonstrated that rare earth elements, such as cerium [11,12], europium [13], neodymium [14], and lanthanum, have been used in agriculture to increase crop yields and improve product quality [15,16,17].
Lanthanum belongs to the group of elements known as the lanthanides, which comprise the 15 elements with atomic numbers 57 to 71, from lanthanum to lutetium. This group includes cerium, europium, promethium, and thulium, among others [17]. It is the most electropositive element among the rare earths, is uniformly trivalent, and exhibits chemical properties like those of the alkaline earth elements [18]. The effects of lanthanum and its compounds on cellular systems are of considerable interest because they promote nutrient absorption, a behaviour attributed to its electropositive character and its chemical similarity to alkaline earth elements such as calcium(II) and magnesium(II) [15]. Several studies have shown that lanthanum induces positive effects on plant growth in rice (Oryza sativa) [19,20], red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) [21], and tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) [22].
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a tropical grass and a significant source of global sugar production, supplying approximately 60% of the world’s sugar and generating a wide range of agro-industrial products, including molasses and ethanol [23,24]. However, climate change has intensified both biotic and abiotic stresses on crops, significantly affecting global agricultural yields through a complex interplay of environmental factors and plant physiological responses [23]. Consequently, improving sugarcane productivity increasingly relies on advanced, innovative strategies to mitigate these stresses and enhance overall plant performance.
Today, in vitro culture is an effective and indispensable technique for producing large numbers of pathogen-free, genetically uniform plants, often leading to higher yields and superior quality than those propagated by traditional methods [25,26]. In this study, a metal–organic framework (MOF) based on zinc(II) formate combined with lanthanum(III) nitrate was used to develop a new hybrid compound. When applied to sugarcane, this compound mitigated toxic effects by enhancing physiological, morphological, and biochemical responses. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of the hybrid compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O on the in vitro development of sugarcane cv. Mex 69-290.

2. Results

2.1. Characterization of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF

The characterization of the La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid composite was carried out by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
A comparison was made between the diffractogram of the reflux-synthesized Zn-MOF and the existing bibliographic data for this procedure, validating the experimental results, as shown in Figure 1A. Comparing intensities, a similarity was observed among the 16, 21, 23, 26, 31, 33, and 34° signals, with a slight shift to the right relative to the experimental Zn-MOF. However, all signals exhibited this shift in the same direction. This demonstrates that a structure like that previously reported was obtained. On the other hand, the resulting diffraction pattern of the La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid composite was the product of a mixture of crystalline phases, as shown in Figure 1B. This mixture consisted of the crystalline phase of the Zn-MOF and the crystalline phase of La(NO3)3·6H2O, confirming that the samples match, as similarity was observed in the signals at 14, 20, 22, 25, 26, 30, 33, and 34° concerning the undoped Zn-MOF, which retains its crystalline phase. The remaining signals correspond to the crystal lattice generated by the presence of La(NO3)3·6H2O.
Finally, the La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid composite and its precursors (Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O) were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy to observe the behaviour of the nitrate anion in the hybrid material. Figure 2 shows the spectra obtained from the PerkinElmer® FTIR/FTNIR spectrophotometer model Spectrum 100 with an attenuated total reflection (ATR) accessory, confirming the doping of the Zn-MOF with La(NO3)3·6H2O. The FT-IR spectrum of La(NO3)3·6H2O shows stretching bands associated with both the nitrate anion (NO3−) and the water of hydration: 1380–1450 cm−1, ν3 (asymetric N–O); 1030–1060 cm−1, ν1 (symetric N–O); 3200–3600 cm−1, ν(O–H); and 400–600 cm−1, ν(La–O). The FT-IR spectrum of Zn-MOF exhibits stretching bands attributable to the formate ligand (HCOO−) and the small amount of adsorbed water: 1580–1620 cm−1 ν(asymetric COO−), 1350–1385 cm−1 ν(symetric COO−), 3200–3600 cm−1 ν(O–H), and 400–600 cm−1 ν(Zn–O). The FT-IR spectrum of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF shows that the main stretching bands originate from formate, nitrate, and water of hydration. Doping does not create new bands but modifies their intensities and can slightly shift their positions.
In addition, although the crystalline structure of MOFs is usually very regular, mortar grinding causes fragmentation. The SEM micrograph of the Zn-MOF shows an irregular and porous structure (Figure 3A). Once the Zn-MOF was doped with La(NO3)3, the SEM micrograph revealed clusters of spherical and individual particles on the surface of the material (Figure 3B). Therefore, mechanochemical grinding led to a surface interaction in which La3+ ions can coordinate with the formate oxygens or with structural defects, while NO3− anions coordinate with unsaturated Zn2+ sites.

2.2. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O on the In Vitro Growth of Sugarcane

The number of shoots showed statistically significant differences among the treatments evaluated, with the highest value recorded at the 5 mg L−1 concentration of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF (14.83 ± 0.70), while the lowest value was observed in the treatment with 20 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3·6H2O (Figure 4A). In contrast, shoot length showed no statistically significant differences among the treatments with La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF, the lanthanum salt, and the control (Figure 4B).
Likewise, the number of leaves showed a significant increase in plantlets treated with 5 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF, with an average of 51.33 ± 5.10 leaves, while the lowest value was recorded in the treatment with 20 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3·6H2O, with 3.88 ± 1.46 leaves (Figure 4C). Plant length, on the other hand, did not show statistically significant differences between the treatments evaluated (Figure 4D).
Fresh matter showed statistically significant differences between the treatments evaluated, with the maximum value reached in the treatment with 5 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF (2.06 ± 0.32 g), while the minimum value was recorded in the treatment with 20 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3·6H2O (Figure 5A). Similarly, dry matter also showed statistically significant differences, with the highest value observed in the concentration of 5 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF (0.21 ± 0.002 g) and the lowest in the treatment with 20 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF (0.02 ± 0.005 g) (Figure 5B).
Representative images of plantlets exposed to different concentrations of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF showed greater growth than those exposed to La(NO3)3·6H2O and the control, as shown in Figure 6.

2.3. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O on the Chlorophyll Content of Sugarcane

The evaluations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll do not show statistically significant differences among the treatments evaluated (Figure 7). However, variations in photosynthetic pigment content were observed among treatments. In general, the highest values for chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll were observed in plantlets treated with 2.5 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF, while the lowest values corresponded to the treatment with 20 mg L−1 of La(NO3)3·6H2O. Furthermore, treatments with the hybrid compound tended to have higher chlorophyll content than treatments with the La(NO3)3·6H2O and the control.

3. Discussion

3.1. Synthesis of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF

The hybrid compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF was synthesized via mechanochemical milling. The Zn-MOF employed in this study consists of formate anions used as organic ligands and zinc(II) used as the metal centre. The Zn-MOF was subsequently doped with La(NO3)3·6H2O and stored, possibly for controlled release. Previous studies have reported the use of zinc-based MOFs due to their biocompatibility [27].
This study evaluated the effect of the hybrid compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the in vitro growth of sugarcane. At a concentration of 5 mg L−1, La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF promoted significant increases in the number of shoots and leaves, as well as in the fresh and dry matter of the sugarcane plantlets.
According to [14], lanthanides tend to bind to the carboxyl groups of the plant cell wall, particularly those present in pectin, thereby stimulating plant development and contributing to mechanical strength and flexibility. The stimulatory response of plants depends on the concentration of the biostimulant: at low concentrations, lanthanides exert beneficial effects, whereas at high concentrations, they can become toxic, a phenomenon known as the hormetic effect [28,29].

3.2. Evaluation of the Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the In Vitro Growth of Sugarcane

In this study, the application of high concentrations (10 and 20 mg L−1) of La(NO3)3·6H2O resulted in the inhibition of shoot and plantlets length. Plantlets exposed to the highest doses exhibited toxicity symptoms, including reduced colour intensity, leaf yellowing, weak stems, vitrification, and necrosis. In contrast, plantlets treated with La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF did not display deficiency or toxicity symptoms; instead, they showed an intense green colouration and vigorous growth. This enhanced performance is attributed to the greater availability of lanthanum(III) ions within the Metal–Organic Framework, which effectively functions as a storage and controlled-release system.
This is likely because the lanthanum(III) salt in the liquid medium was fully available to the plant, with no mechanism for controlled administration. In contrast, the lanthanum(III) incorporated into the hybrid compound exhibited a controlled-release behaviour, ensuring more efficient utilization and increasing the shoot multiplication rate in sugarcane. According to [3], MOFs possess controlled-delivery capabilities for pesticides and other agronomically relevant molecules. Together, these results suggest that La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF may serve as a promising biostimulant to enhance the in vitro multiplication of this crop.
This enhanced performance could be attributed to the greater availability of lanthanum(III) ions within the Metal–Organic Framework, which could function effectively as a controlled storage and release system. However, to support this claim, it would be necessary to evaluate the release kinetics of the lanthanum(III) ion in both the hybrid compound and the inorganic salt by quantification using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) or atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).
The impact of lanthanum(III) on plants depends on several factors, including the cultivated species, developmental stage, applied concentration, treatment duration, and environmental growing conditions [30]. Positive effects on nutrient uptake are often reflected in improved plant growth. Lanthanum(III) salts can influence the absorption and accumulation of other elements in plants through synergistic or antagonistic interactions [31]. For example, a previous study [32] reported that applying 2 mg L−1 of LaCl3 to four varieties of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) increased the number of leaves.
Similarly, La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF exhibited a hormetic effect on the number of leaves, although the optimal concentration depends on the crop species. For sugarcane cv. Mex 69–290, a dose of 5 mg L−1 produced the most pronounced effect. These results indicate that the hybrid compound can improve seedling quality by enhancing specific growth parameters and biomolecule concentrations, depending on the genotype and exposure duration [31]. The authors in [33] emphasized that plantlet matter is a key parameter for assessing growth and development, as it reflects increases in overall size and biomass accumulation.
In this study, an increase in shoot production was observed, resulting in a significant rise in biomass and, consequently, in both fresh and dry weight. A related study [22] evaluated the effects of two lanthanum(III) sources—lanthanum(III) chloride and lanthanum(III) nitrate—each at a concentration of 8 mg L−1, on the preservative solution of fifteen varieties of cut tulip flowers (Tulipa gesneriana L.). Lanthanum(III) nitrate increased the fresh matter of vase stems and prolonged their lifespan. Moreover, the nitrate form of lanthanum(III) had more pronounced effects on the metabolism of cut tulip flowers than the chloride form, likely due to the influence of the anion.
Other studies have indicated that high chloride concentrations in the growth medium can affect nutrient uptake, including N, P, K, Ca, S, and Zn, through antagonistic interactions and by altering the selective permeability of plant membranes [34]. Chloride can interact with nutrients in the solution, thereby reducing their availability and potentially causing both deficiencies and toxicities in plants [35].
On the other hand, plants can utilize nitrate as a nitrogen source, and many species exhibit improved growth when supplied with this form of nitrogen [36]. Evidence from [37] indicates that the application of 1 and 4 mg L−1 of lanthanum(III) nitrate and lanthanum(III) chloride to tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) crops resulted in a greater increase in dry matter accumulation. Similarly, researchers in [38] observed that low concentrations of lanthanum(III) salts in Salvia miltiorrhiza plantlets promoted dry matter accumulation, whereas higher concentrations did not enhance biomass production.
However, data from [39] suggest that the application of 100 mg L−1 of lanthanum(III) chloride to Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) stimulated growth and increased both fresh and dry weight. In the present study, the sustained-release system was designed to deliver La(NO3)3·6H2O efficiently within the sugarcane plant’s metabolism. The Zn-MOF exhibits considerable thermal and chemical stability, gradually releasing the target molecule—in this case, lanthanum(III) ions—into plant cells. By supplying ions slowly in accordance with the plant’s requirements, the MOF avoids the toxicity associated with high doses while preserving the integrity of plant tissues.

3.3. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the Quantification of Chlorophyll a, b and Total

Different concentrations of the hybrid compound and lanthanum(III) salt produced variable effects on chlorophyll content. In this study, no significant differences were observed in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, or total chlorophyll in sugarcane. However, a decreasing trend was observed for both La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and La(NO3)3·6H2O at 10 mg L−1. Reductions in chlorophyll content may result from altered pigment synthesis or enhanced chlorophyll degradation. For example, the study presented in [32] reported that the application of 2 mg L−1 of lanthanum(III) to a sweet pepper variety stimulated chlorophyll biosynthesis.
Similarly, the evidence reported in [40] suggests that the application of 5 mg L−1 of lanthanum(III) increased both the photosynthetic rate and the chlorophyll index. In contrast, the analysis conducted in [41] revealed that applying 10 mg L−1 of lanthanum(III) oxide to maize (Zea mays) had negative effects on chlorophyll content. Adequate amounts of lanthanum(III) have been shown to enhance photosynthesis in tobacco [42] and rice [43]; however, high concentrations (170–340 mg L−1) reduce photosynthetic activity.
Research evidence in [32] demonstrates that the effect of lanthanum(III) nitrate on photosynthesis depends primarily on the applied concentration and the method of application. The findings reported in [44] suggested that the positive effects of lanthanum(III) nitrate on chlorophyll content may result from increased levels of essential macronutrients involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Conversely, the results obtained in [45] showed no significant changes in chlorophyll a or b content in barley plants treated with lanthanum(III) nitrate at concentrations ranging from 10 to 200 mg L−1.
However, evidence presented in [46] highlights that lanthanum(III) nitrate neither increased nor decreased chlorophyll content in Brassica chinensis L. In the present study, La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF was shown to stimulate growth during in vitro culture of sugarcane var. Mex 69–290 without causing toxicity at high concentrations, owing to the controlled and prolonged release of La(NO3)3·6H2O.
The effects of lanthanum(III) nitrate on plant physiology have been reported in various species. Differences in plant responses are attributed to the applied dose, method of application, and the physical and chemical properties of the growth medium. These responses are further influenced by nutrient interactions, crop type, and developmental stage [33]. In the present study, a three-way interaction was observed between the experimental model, the concentrations of the hybrid compound, and lanthanum(III) nitrate. This finding indicates that plants’ response to lanthanum is both species-specific and concentration-dependent [46].

4. Materials and Methods

4.1. Synthesis of Zn-MOF

A MOF based on the Zn2+ cation as the metal center and the formate anion as the organic ligand was designed using reflux heating. To achieve this, the precursors Zn(NO3)·6H2O (Merck KGaA®, Darmstadt, Germany, 2.7760 g, 9.3315 mmol, ≤99.0%) and formic acid (Merck KGaA®, 1.2886 mL, 27.9947 mmol, 95–98%) were mixed in a 1:3 ratio (metal:ligand), and 5 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were added. The reaction mixture was then refluxed for 6 h at 120 °C. The crystalline solids obtained from the reaction were collected by vacuum filtration through a 250 mL Büchner funnel fitted with Double-Rings® filter paper, then washed with methanol and placed in a drying oven at 80 °C overnight. Zn-MOF was obtained in 70% stoichiometric yield. All solvents and reagents were of analytical grade and were purchased commercially from Merck KGaA®.

4.2. Mechanochemical Synthesis of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF

The Zn-MOF was doped with the lanthanum(III) salt at 5% (w/w) by mechanical grinding in a mortar utilizing a mixture of Zn-MOF (95 mg, 0.4740 mmol) and La(NO3)3·6H2O (5 mg, 0.0115 mmol). During the 40 min process, a few drops of acetonitrile were added to promote maceration. Finally, the mixture was dried in an air oven at 80 °C for 2 h [47].

4.3. X-Ray Powder Diffraction Analysis

The diffraction pattern of the synthesized material was recorded on a D2 Phaser benchtop analyzer (Bruker®, Billerica, MA, USA). The data were processed employing DIFFRAC.SUITE version 11 software, supplied with the equipment.

4.4. SEM Micrographs

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements were performed with a JEOL JSM-5900-LV (JEOL Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Oxford ISIS energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to study the lanthanide concentration in Zn-MOF (microscope operating at an accelerating voltage of 3–30 kV).

4.5. In Vitro Establishment and Multiplication

For the in vitro establishment of sugarcane tissue cultures (var. Mex 69–290), 10 cm-long explants were collected from mother plants grown at the Cotaxtla Experimental Field of the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP) in Cotaxtla, Veracruz, México (18.93243, −96.19233). The explants were placed under constant agitation for 20 min in a solution containing 1 g L−1 of the fungicide Captan 50 plus® (Ingeniería Industrial, S.A. de C.V., México City, Mexico) and the bactericide Intermicin 500® (Internacional Química de Cobre, S.A. de C.V., México City, Mexico).
Three washes were performed with sterile distilled water. Subsequently, in a laminar flow hood, the layers covering the apex were removed and reduced to 3 cm in length. The selected apices were rinsed in a 45% (v/v) (6% a.i.) NaClO solution of CloralexTM (Industrias Alen, S.A de S.V, Santa Catarina, NL, México) and Tween 20® (Merck KGaA®, Darmstadt, Germany) under agitation for 20 min. The tips were rinsed four times with sterile distilled water and grown in test tubes (22 mm × 150 mm) containing 25 mL of semi-solid MS medium [48] supplemented with 30 g L−1 sucrose and 100 µM methylene blue (Merck KGaA®, Darmstadt, Germany) as an antioxidant. The pH of the culture medium was adjusted to 5.8, and 2.9 g L−1 of Phytagel® (Merck KGaA®, Darmstadt, Germany) was added as a gelling agent. The cultures were transferred to an incubation room at 24 ± 2 °C with low relative humidity (<40%), under fluorescent lighting and a photoperiod of 16 h light and 8 h dark. After four weeks, the shoots were transferred into 500 mL flasks with 30 mL of previously sterilized semi-solid MS medium, supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 of BAP (6-benzylaminopurine, Merck KGaA®), 1 mg L−1 of KIN (Kinetin, Merck KGaA®), 0.5 mg L−1 of IAA (indoleacetic acid, Merck KGaA®) and 30 g L−1 of sucrose and a pH adjusted to 5.8. The cultures were incubated under the temperature and irradiation conditions described above.
After in vitro establishment, the plant material was propagated under the following conditions to obtain sufficient material for the different treatments. The cultures were transferred to an incubation room at 24 ± 2 °C with low relative humidity (<40%), under fluorescent lighting and a photoperiod of 16 h light and 8 h dark. After four weeks, the shoots were transferred to 500 mL flasks containing 30 mL of previously sterilized semi-solid MS medium, supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 BAP (6-benzylaminopurine, Merck KGaA®), 1 mg L−1 KIN (kinetin, Merck KGaA®), 0.5 mg L−1 IAA (indole-3-acetic acid, Merck KGaA®), and 30 g L−1 sucrose, with the pH adjusted to 5.8. The cultures were incubated under the temperature and light conditions described above.

4.6. Treatments with La(NO3)3·6H2O and La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF

After three 30-day subcultures, 2 cm-long, rootless explants of the Mex 69–290 cultivar were used, with three plantlets grown per flask as an experimental unit. Sugarcane plantlets were propagated in liquid MS medium supplemented with 30 g L−1 of sucrose, with different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg L−1) of the La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid compound and the La(NO3)3·6H2O. For each concentration treatment, three culture flasks were used per run, resulting in nine independent experimental units per treatment. Each solution was placed in 500 mL flasks containing 10 mL of culture medium per treatment. The pH of the medium was adjusted to 5.8, and the culture medium was sterilized by autoclaving for 20 min at 120 °C. The shoots were cultured under the irradiation and temperature conditions described previously. After 30 days, the following morphological parameters were evaluated: number and length of shoots, number of leaves, plant length, fresh matter and dry matter, and biochemical parameters: chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll content. Plantlet measurements were averaged within each culture flask, which was treated as the experimental unit for statistical analysis to ensure independence among observations and to avoid pseudoreplication.

4.7. Determination of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll quantification was performed using the method described by [49]. For each sample, 100 mg of plant tissue was weighed and macerated in liquid nitrogen. The sample was placed in conical tubes (Falcon™; Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY, USA) and diluted to 10 mL with 80% acetone. The samples were refrigerated at −4 °C in the dark for 24 h. The extract was then filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter paper and diluted to 20 mL with 80% acetone. Finally, the sample was mixed using a vortex mixer. Subsequently, 2.5 mL aliquots were transferred to a quartz cell, and their absorbance was measured at 663 and 645 nm using a spectrophotometer (GENESYS™ 10S UV-Vis, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), with 80% acetone as the blank.

4.8. Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis

All experiments were carried out following a completely randomized design in triplicate. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test (p ≤ 0.05) using the SAS (version 9.4; Statistical Analysis System) software.

5. Conclusions

In this study, a hybrid compound was developed and employed as a controlled-release system for La(NO3)3·6H2O in in vitro-grown sugarcane plantlets. It was demonstrated that a concentration of 5 mg L−1 of the hybrid compound effectively stimulates sugarcane growth. To date, the synthesis and application of this specific hybrid compound have not been previously reported.
Therefore, the use of MOFs for in vitro propagation of sugarcane represents an innovative strategy to enhance the physiology of this crop. This hybrid compound has the potential to advance plant biotechnology as a biostimulant, thereby increasing productivity and sustainability in sugarcane cultivation. However, it is essential to establish safe dosage limits, as lanthanum has demonstrated both beneficial effects on plant physiology and improvements in certain yield parameters. These findings highlight the potential of the hybrid compound in in vitro propagation, where it exerts a hormetic effect on plant development.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, C.L.M.-I. and J.L.S.-C.; methodology, C.L.M.-I. and X.D.J.G.-Z.; software R.P.-R.; investigation M.T.G.-A.; formal analysis, D.P.-C.; validation R.C.-P.; resources, C.A.C.-C.; writing—original draft preparation, C.L.M.-I. and D.P.-C.; writing—review and editing, R.C.-P. and C.A.C.-C.; supervision, R.P.-R. and C.A.C.-C.; project administration, R.C.-P. and C.A.C.-C.; funding acquisition, R.C.-P. and C.A.C.-C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article; further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

Acknowledgments

The authors express their sincere gratitude to “La Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación” (SECIHTI) for the scholarship awarded to C.L.M.-I, which allowed the conduct of this work, as well as to the Cotaxtla Experimental Field of the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP) in Cotaxtla, Veracruz, Mexico, for providing the certified sugarcane variety Mex 69-290.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

  1. Wu, K.; Xu, X.; Fei, M.; Du, C. Fe-Based metal-organic Framework for the controlled release of fertilizer nutrients. ACS Omega 2022, 7, 35970–35980. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Patra, K.; Pal, H. Lanthanide-based metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs): Synthesis, properties and applications. RSC Sustain. 2025, 3, 629–660. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. Mahmoud, L.A.; Dos Reis, R.A.; Chen, X.; Ting, V.P.; Nayak, S. Metal–organic frameworks as potential agents for extraction and delivery of pesticides and agrochemicals. ACS Omega 2022, 7, 45910–45934. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Chugh, G.; Siddique, K.H.M.; Solaiman, Z.M. Nanobiotechnology for Agriculture: Smart Technology for Combating Nutrient Deficiencies with Nanotoxicity Challenges. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1781. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Zhao, B.; Luo, Z.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, H. Imaging tools for plant nanobiotechnology. Front. Genome Ed. 2022, 4, 1029944. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Anstoetz, M.; Sharma, N.; Clark, M.; Yee, L. Characterization of an oxalate-phosphate-amine metal–organic framework (OPA-MOF) exhibiting properties suited for innovative applications in agriculture. J. Mater. Sci. 2016, 51, 9239–9252. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Zhao, P.; Cao, L.; Wang, C.; Yuanyuan, L.; Cao, C.; Huang, Q. Metabolic pathways reveal the effect of fungicide loaded metal-organic frameworks on the growth of wheat plantlets. Chemosphere 2022, 307, 135702. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  8. Duan, C.; Liang, K.; Zhang, Z.; Li, J.; Chen, T.; Lv, D.; Li, L.; Le Kang, L.; Wang, K.; Hu, H.; et al. Recent advances in the synthesis of nanoscale hierarchically porous metal–organic frameworks. Nano Mater. Sci. 2022, 4, 351–365. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Trejo-Téllez, L.; Gómez-Merino, F. Beneficial Elements: Novel Players in Plant Biology for Innovative Crop Production. Front. Plant Sci. 2023, 14, 1303462. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  10. Gómez-Merino, F.; Gómez-Trejo, L.F.; Ruvalcaba-Ramírez, R.; Trejo-Téllez, L. Lanthanides as beneficial elements for plants. In Beneficial Chemical Elements of Plants; Pandey, S., Tripathi, D.K., Sinch, V.P., Sharma, S., Chauhan, D.K., Eds.; John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2023; pp. 349–369. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Agathokleous, E.; Zhou, B.; Geng, C.; Xu, J.; Santains, C.J.; Feng, Z.; Tack, F.M.G.; Ringklebe, J. Mechanisms of cerium induced stress in plants: A meta-analysis. Sci. Total Environ. 2022, 852, 158352. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Ramírez-Trejo, L.; Cadena-Zamudio, J.D.; Ramírez-Mosqueda, M.A.; Colorado-Peralta, R.; Peña-Rodríguez, R.; Padilla-Chacón, D.; Cruz-Cruz, C.A. Preliminary study of the hormetic effect of nitrate and chloride of cerium on the micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. Agro Product. 2025, 18, 279–291. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Jessat, J.; John, W.A.; Moll, H.; Vogel, M.; Steudter, R.; Drobot, B.; Hubner, R.; Stumpf, T.; Sachs, S. Localization and chemical speciation of Eu(III) in Brassica napus plants. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 2023, 254, 114741. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Cruz-Cruz, C.A.; De Jesús García-Zárate, X.; Spinoso-Castillo, J.L.; Peña-Rodríguez, R.; Colorado-Peralta, R.; Sánchez-Páez, R.; Bello-Bello, J.J. The Influence of the Hybrid Compound Nd(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the Growth of Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews) Cultured In Vitro: A Preliminary Study. Agronomy 2024, 14, 1880. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Contreras-Martínez, G.; Peralta-Sánchez, M.G.; Alcántar-González, G.; Trejo-Téllez, L.I. Biostimulant effects of lanthanum (La) on crop growth, yield, and quality. Agro Product. 2022, 15, 2–7. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Wang, C.; Shi, C.; Liu, L.; Wang, C.; Qiao, W.; Gu, Z.; Wang, X. Lanthanum element induced imbalance of mineral nutrients, HSP 70 production and DNA-protein crosslink, leading to hermetic response to cell cycle progression in root tips of Vicia faba L. plantlets. Dose-Response 2012, 10, 96–107. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  17. Tao, Y.; Shen, L.; Feng, C.; Yang, R.; Qu, J.; Ju, H.; Zhang, Y. Distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) and their roles in plant growth: A review. Environ. Pollut. 2022, 298, 118540. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  18. Huang, H.; Zhu, J.J. The electrochemical applications of rare earth-based nanomaterials. Analyst 2019, 144, 6789–6811. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Liu, D.; Wang, X.; Zhang, X.; Gao, Z. Effects of lanthanum on growth and accumulation in roots of rice plantlets. Plant Soil. Environ. 2013, 59, 196. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Liu, P.; Fang, X.; Wang, Y.; Yang, X.; Li, Q. Exogenous Application of Lanthanum Chloride to Rice at Booting Stage Can Increase Chlorophyll Content, Modulate Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Promote Grain Yield Under Deficit Irrigation. Agronomy 2025, 15, 32. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Fan, Z.; Zhang, K.; Wang, F.; Zhao, X.; Bai, R.; Liu, B. Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Growth and Determination of Secondary Metabolites under In Vitro Conditions in Salvia miltiorrhiza. HortScience 2020, 55, 310–316. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Gómez-Merino, F.C.; Ramírez-Martínez, M.; Castillo-González, A.M.; Trejo-Téllez, L.I. Lanthanum prolongs vase life of cut tulip flowers by increasing water consumption and concentrations of sugars, proteins and chlorophylls. Sci. Rep. 2020, 10, 4209. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  23. Zhou, Z.; Liu, X.; Liu, R.; Liu, J.; Liu, W.; Yang, Q.; Luo, X.; Wang, R.; Xing, L.; Zhao, H.; et al. Sugarcane Distribution Simulation and Climate Change Impact Analysis in China. Agriculture 2025, 15, 491. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. González-Arnao, M.T.; Méndez-Chávez, M.; Vásquez-Hernández, S.; Núñez-Pastrana, R.; Cruz-Cruz, C.A. Osmo- and cryotherapy of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.) shoot-tips infected with sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). Virusdisease 2020, 31, 497–502. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Cruz-Cruz, C.A.; González-Arnao, M.T.; Engelmann, F. Biotechnology and Conservation of Plant Biodiversity. Resources 2013, 2, 73–95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Bravo-Ruíz, I.N.; Ramírez-Trejo, L.; González-Arnao, M.T.; Hernández-Ramírez, F.; Padilla-Chacón, D.; Cruz-Cruz, C.A. Strategies for the Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources. Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources. In Methods in Molecular Biology; Ramírez-Mosqueda, M.A., Zamudio, J.D.C., Noyola, J.L.A., Eds.; Springer Nature: New York, NY, USA, 2026; pp. 1–40. [Google Scholar]
  27. Lee, S.; Wang, G.; Ji, N.; Zhang, M.; Wang, D.; Sun, L.; Wu, Y. Synthesis, characterizations and kinetics of MOF-5 as herbicide vehicle and its controlled release in PVA/ST biodegradable composite membranes. Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2022, 648, 202100252. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Agathokleous, E.; Kitao, M.; Calabrese, E.J. Hormetic dose responses induced by lanthanum in plants. Environ. Pollut. 2019, 244, 332–341. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Bello-Bello, J.J.; Spinoso-Castillo, J.L.; Mancilla-Álvarez, E. Hormesis in plant tissue culture. Plant Cell Tissue Organ. Cult. 2024, 159, 16. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Sharma, P.; Jha, A.B.; Dubey, R.S. Addressing lanthanum toxicity in plants: Sources, uptake, accumulation, and mitigation strategies. Sci. Total Environ. 2024, 929, 172560. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  31. Kastori, R.; Putnik-Delić, M.; Maksimović, I. Lanthanum and cultivated plants. Biol. Serbica 2024, 46, 3–11. [Google Scholar]
  32. García-Jiménez, A.; Gómez-Merino, F.C.; Tejeda-Sartorius, O.; Trejo-Téllez, L.I. Lanthanum affects bell pepper seedling quality depending on the genotype and time of exposure by differentially modifying plant height, stem diameter and concentrations of chlorophylls, sugars, amino acids, and proteins. Front. Plant Sci. 2017, 8, 308. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Abdelhameed, R.M.; Abdelhameed, R.E.; Kamel, H.A. Iron-based metal-organic-frameworks as fertilizers for hydroponically grown Phaseolus vulgaris. Mater. Lett. 2019, 237, 72–79. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Hussain, R.A.; Ahmad, R.; Waraich, E.A.; Nawaz, F. Nutrient uptake, water relations, and yield performance of different wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity stress. J. Plant Nutr. 2015, 38, 2139–2149. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Parra Terraza, S. Chloride/anions and sodium/cations ratios in the nutrient solution and mineral composition of tomato cultivars. Terra Latinoam. 2016, 34, 219–227. [Google Scholar]
  36. Vázquez, C.G.; Sáenz, E.O.; Alvarado, R.V.; García, F.Z. Nitrate and Ammonium Uptake by Cactus Pear in Hydroponics. Terra Latinoam. 2020, 18, 133–139. [Google Scholar]
  37. Ramírez-Martínez, M.; Trejo-Téllez, L.I.; Gómez-Merino, F.C.; Castillo-González, A.M.; Hernández-Ríos, I.; Hernández-Acosta, E. Bioaccumulation of Potassium, Calcium and Lanthanum in Tulip Treated with Lanthanum. Terra Latinoam. 2012, 30, 229–238. [Google Scholar]
  38. Su, Q.; Sun, L.; Feng, S.; Guo, S. Effect of La3+ on seed germination and plantlets growth of Salvia miltiorrhiza. J. Rare Earths 2018, 36, 898–902. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Ma, J.J.; Ren, Y.J.; Yan, L.Y. Effects of spray application of lanthanum and cerium on yield and quality of Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) based on different seasons. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2014, 160, 427–432. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  40. Duarte, A.C.O.; Oliveira, C.; Ramos, S.J.; Castro, E.M.; Siqeira, J.O.; Guiherme, L.R.G. Lanthanum content and effects on growth, gas exchanges, and chlorophyll index in maize plants. Acta Sci. Biol. Sci. 2018, 40, e38469. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Liu, Y.; Xu, L.; Dai, D. Phytotoxic Effects of Lanthanum Oxide Nanoparticles on Maize (Zea mays L.). IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci. 2018, 113, 012020. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Chen, W.J.; Tao, Y.; Gu, Y.H.; Zhao, G.W. Effect of lanthanide chloride on photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation in tobacco plantlets. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2001, 79, 169–176. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  43. Wang, L.; Wang, W.; Zhou, Q.; Huang, X. Combined effects of lanthanum(III) chloride and acid rain on photosynthetic parameters in rice. Chemosphere 2014, 112, 355–361. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  44. He, X.; You, P.; Sun, Y. Lanthanum and abscisic acid coregulate chlorophyll production in switchgrass. PLoS ONE 2020, 15, 232750. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  45. Kotelnikova, A.; Fastovets, I.; Rogova, O.; Volkov, D.S. La, Ce and Nd in the soil-plant system in a vegetation experiment with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 2018, 206, 111193. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Rezaee, A.; Hale, B.; Santos, R.M.; Chiang, Y.W. Accumulation and toxicity of lanthanum and neodymium in horticultural (Brassica chinesis L. and Helianthus annus L.). Can. J. Chem. Eng. 2018, 96, 2263–2272. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Peña-Rodríguez, R.; Rivera, J.M.; Armenta-Jaime, E.; Haggeo-Desirena, E.; Molina-González, J.A. Doping of a Zn-MOF with Eu3+ and Tb3+ for application in the manufacture of a WLED. J. Mater. Chem. C 2021, 9, 15091–15899. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  48. Murashige, T.; Skoog, F.A. A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol. Plant 1962, 15, 473–497. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Harbone, J.B. Phenolic compounds. In Phytochemical Methods: A Guide, to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis; Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1973; pp. 33–88. [Google Scholar]
Plants 15 00609 g001
Figure 1. X-ray powder diffraction patterns. (A) Experimental pattern of the Zn-MOF crystals compared to the pattern reported. (B) Experimental pattern of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid material compared to the experimental pattern of the Zn-MOF.
Figure 1. X-ray powder diffraction patterns. (A) Experimental pattern of the Zn-MOF crystals compared to the pattern reported. (B) Experimental pattern of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid material compared to the experimental pattern of the Zn-MOF.
Plants 15 00609 g001
Plants 15 00609 g002
Figure 2. Comparison of the FTIR spectra obtained for the La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid composite and its precursors. The stretching bands of Zn-MOF are indicated in red, those of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF in blue, and those of La(NO3)3·6H2O in green.
Figure 2. Comparison of the FTIR spectra obtained for the La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF hybrid composite and its precursors. The stretching bands of Zn-MOF are indicated in red, those of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF in blue, and those of La(NO3)3·6H2O in green.
Plants 15 00609 g002
Plants 15 00609 g003
Figure 3. SEM micrographs of (A) Zn-MOF and (B) La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF.
Figure 3. SEM micrographs of (A) Zn-MOF and (B) La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF.
Plants 15 00609 g003
Plants 15 00609 g004
Figure 4. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the in vitro development of sugarcane plantlets. (A) Shoot number, (B) Shoot length, (C) Number of leaves, and (D) Plant height. Mean ± standard error (SE); different letters indicate statistical significance (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 4. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the in vitro development of sugarcane plantlets. (A) Shoot number, (B) Shoot length, (C) Number of leaves, and (D) Plant height. Mean ± standard error (SE); different letters indicate statistical significance (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
Plants 15 00609 g004
Plants 15 00609 g005
Figure 5. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the in vitro development of sugarcane plantlets. (A) Fresh matter and (B) Dry matter. Mean ± standard error (SE); different letters indicate statistical significance (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 5. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the in vitro development of sugarcane plantlets. (A) Fresh matter and (B) Dry matter. Mean ± standard error (SE); different letters indicate statistical significance (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
Plants 15 00609 g005
Plants 15 00609 g006
Figure 6. Effect of different concentrations of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg L−1) on the in vitro development of sugarcane plantlets cv Mex 69–290 during the multiplication stage after 30 days. (A) La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and (B) La(NO3)3·6H2O.
Figure 6. Effect of different concentrations of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg L−1) on the in vitro development of sugarcane plantlets cv Mex 69–290 during the multiplication stage after 30 days. (A) La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF and (B) La(NO3)3·6H2O.
Plants 15 00609 g006
Plants 15 00609 g007
Figure 7. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the biochemical parameters of in vitro sugarcane plantlets. (A) Chlorophyll a, (B) Chlorophyll b and (C) Total chlorophyll. Mean ± standard error (SE); different letters indicate statistical significance (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
Figure 7. Effect of La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the biochemical parameters of in vitro sugarcane plantlets. (A) Chlorophyll a, (B) Chlorophyll b and (C) Total chlorophyll. Mean ± standard error (SE); different letters indicate statistical significance (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05).
Plants 15 00609 g007
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Muñoz-Ibarra, C.L.; Spinoso-Castillo, J.L.; Padilla-Chacón, D.; García-Zárate, X.D.J.; Peña-Rodríguez, R.; González-Arnao, M.T.; Colorado-Peralta, R.; Cruz-Cruz, C.A. Influence of the Hybrid Compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the In Vitro Growth of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.). Plants 2026, 15, 609. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040609

AMA Style

Muñoz-Ibarra CL, Spinoso-Castillo JL, Padilla-Chacón D, García-Zárate XDJ, Peña-Rodríguez R, González-Arnao MT, Colorado-Peralta R, Cruz-Cruz CA. Influence of the Hybrid Compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the In Vitro Growth of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.). Plants. 2026; 15(4):609. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040609

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muñoz-Ibarra, Christian Lisette, José Luis Spinoso-Castillo, Daniel Padilla-Chacón, Xóchitl De Jesús García-Zárate, Rodolfo Peña-Rodríguez, María Teresa González-Arnao, Raúl Colorado-Peralta, and Carlos Alberto Cruz-Cruz. 2026. "Influence of the Hybrid Compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the In Vitro Growth of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.)" Plants 15, no. 4: 609. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040609

APA Style

Muñoz-Ibarra, C. L., Spinoso-Castillo, J. L., Padilla-Chacón, D., García-Zárate, X. D. J., Peña-Rodríguez, R., González-Arnao, M. T., Colorado-Peralta, R., & Cruz-Cruz, C. A. (2026). Influence of the Hybrid Compound La(NO3)3@Zn-MOF on the In Vitro Growth of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.). Plants, 15(4), 609. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040609

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop