Search Results (8)

Many of today’s innovative materials used to carry trace elements (TEs) are derived from chelates. Most of the materials used for this purpose have been produced on the basis of EDTA, which is not considered to be environmentally friendly due to its high persistence. Research is therefore being carried out to produce materials that do not pose an environmental risk. Therefore, a study was carried out to determine the effects of newly developed innovative materials with embedded biodegradable and environmentally safe chelates (IDHA—iminodisuccinic acid—and N-butyl-D-gluconamide ligands) containing copper, molybdenum and iron on the yield, biometric characteristics and chemical composition of soybean and selected soil properties. It is difficult to find publications on their effects in soybean cultivation. The greatest increase in soybean leaf greenness index (SPAD) was found after the addition of pure Salmag^® (Sal.^®). The effect of the chelates on the SPAD index was lower, with Sal.^® + Fe chelate having the greatest effect during the vegetative development stage and Cu chelate having the greatest effect during the flowering stage. Sal.^® + Cu, especially with Fe, accelerated pod and seed ripening in the last vegetative stage of soybean. Sal.^® + Cu had the most favourable impact on plant height, pure Sal.^® on the pod number per plant, Sal.^® + Fe on the seed number per pod, Sal.^® with Mo and Fe chelates on soybean seed yield, and pure Sal.^® on fresh weight remaining above-ground part yield, while pure Sal.^® and Sal.^® + Fe had the most favourable impact on dry weight aerial yield. The fertiliser materials (especially Sal.^® + Cu) generally increased the N content of the tested soybean organs and the Cu content of the other above-ground soybean parts (especially those containing chelates) and had an antagonistic effect on the Mg content of the soybean above-ground parts. Sal.^® + Cu also had a negative effect on the Fe content of other above-ground soybean parts. Sal.^® + Fe had a positive impact on the iron content, and Sal.^® + Mo had a positive impact on the molybdenum content of soybean. The applied fertilisers had little effect on the contents of Cu, Mo and Fe in the soil. There was only a significant increase in the Cu content of the soil after the addition of Sal.^® + Cu and a significantly smaller increase under the influence of Sal.^® without chelates, as well as an increase in the Mo content of the soil with Sal.^®. The present study confirms the beneficial impact of the novel materials with chelates. It has been demonstrated that the presence of materials containing Mo and, in particular, Cu has a considerable effect on the yield and quality characteristics of soybeans. Full article

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of three new solid fertilisers (based on Salmag^®) with innovative IDHA chelate additives (Cu, Mo and Fe) on the yield, yield (grain, straw), biometric characteristics and chemical composition (total N, Ca, Mg and Cu, Mo, and Fe) of spring wheat and soil properties in the pot experiment. The nitrogen dose in all fertilised plots was 140 mg kg⁻¹ of soil (60% before sowing, 40% at tillering). Before sowing, uniform fertilisation with phosphorus (60 mg kg⁻¹ of soil) and potassium (60 mg kg⁻¹ of soil) were also applied. At the stem elongation stage, nitrogen fertilisers, especially Salmag^® with Cu, promoted an increase, and Salmag^® with Mo and Fe promoted a decrease in leaf greenness at other growth stages of spring wheat. All nitrogen fertilisers had a positive effect on height (especially Salmag^® and Salmag^® with Mo) and yield (especially Salmag^® with Cu and Mo) of spring wheat grain and straw. The effect on grain yield was stronger, while Salma^g® with Fe was slightly weaker than pure Salmag^®. All applied nitrogen fertilisers increased total N in grain and straw and Ca and Mg in spring wheat straw. Nitrogen fertilisers enriched with micronutrients generally had a weaker effect than Salmag^® on the content of total N in grain (in contrast to straw) and Ca and Mg. The addition of Cu, Mo, and especially Fe chelates increased the content of chelated elements in spring wheat, especially in straw. The pH value of the soil after harvest of spring wheat was slightly higher after the application of Salmag^® and lower in the soil fertilised with Salmag^® with Mo and Salmag^® with Fe than in the control. Salmag^® and Salmag^® with Cu showed a significant increase in soil Mg and all nitrogen fertilisers (especially Salmag^® with Fe) in soil Ca content after spring wheat harvest. Salmag^® with Cu caused the greatest increase in soil Cu content. The new fertilisers with Mo chelate and especially with Cu chelate showed a significant effect on yield formation and quality of spring wheat. Full article

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) serves as a critical link in the migration and transformation of heavy metals at the soil–solid interface, influencing the migration behaviour and transformation processes of Cu²⁺ in soil. There have been studies on the combination mechanisms between DOM and Cu²⁺ in paddy soils. However, the adsorption/complexation and redox processes between DOM and Cu²⁺ in other agricultural soil types (such as dry farmland and vegetable fields) are unclear. In order to reveal the combination process of DOM with Cu in different agricultural soil types and the dynamic changes in chemical behaviour that occur, this study analysed the variability of DOM components and structure in three soils using three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the priority order of different DOM compounds in combination with Cu and the change process in relation to the Cu valence state in the soil of Lujiang County, Anhui Province, was revealed based on laboratory experiments. The results showed that the composition of soil DOM was mainly composed of humic-like and fulvic-like substances with a clear terrestrial origin and that the organic matter showed a high degree of decomposition characteristics. The results indicated that the composition of soil DOM is mainly composed of humic and fulvic acid-like substances, and they have obvious characteristics of terrestrial origin. In addition, the soil organic matter showed high decomposition characteristics. The complex stability constants (lgK_M) of humic acid-like substances with Cu²⁺ follow the order of forest land (lgK_M = 5.21), vegetable land (lgK_M = 4.90), and dry farmland (lgK_M = 4.88). The lgK_M of fulvic acid-like substances with Cu²⁺ is in the order of dry farmland (lgK_M = 4.51) and vegetable land (lgK_M = 4.39). Humic acid-like substances in soil DOM combine preferentially with Cu²⁺, showing a stronger chelating affinity than fulvic acid-like substances. Cu²⁺ complexes mainly include hydroxyl, phenolic hydroxyl and amino functional groups are included in soil DOM, accompanied by redox reactions. In comparison to dry farmland, the soil DOM in forest and vegetable fields undergoes more intense redox reactions simultaneously with the chelation of Cu²⁺. Therefore, the application of organic fertilisers to vegetable and forest soils may lead to uncertainties concerning the fate of heavy metals with variable chemical valence. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the interaction mechanisms between DOM and Cu²⁺ in agricultural soils. Full article

Micronutrients are essential to plants, and enhancing their availability is one of the agronomic challenges to improving crop quality and yield. This study, under controlled greenhouse conditions, compares tomato plants’ responses to two different micronutrient EDTA-chelated formulations, one of them including a newly developed fulvate–lignosulfonate coating. Growth, yield, and several physiological parameters, including photosynthetic gas exchange, water-use efficiency, leaf nutrient content, leaf greenness and the effective quantum yield of photosystem II, were measured to compare their efficiency. The results showed that the new coated formulation significantly improved growth and most of the determined physiological parameters. At the end of the experiment, higher foliar levels of Fe (2.4-fold) and Mn (2.9-fold) were measured, revealing increased availability of lignofulfonate-complexed micronutrients compared to the traditional fertiliser. Moreover, the photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance were 9- and 20-fold higher, respectively, than when using the standard fertiliser. In conclusion, the new coated fulvate–lignosulfonated fertiliser provided a more suitable source of micronutrients for tomato plant fertilisation, allowing for higher yields, which correlated with a generally improved physiological response. Full article

Microgreens are foods with high nutritional value, which can be further enhanced with biofortification. Crop biofortification involves increasing the accumulation of target nutrients in edible plant tissues through fertilization or other factors. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential for biofortification of some vegetable microgreens through iron (Fe) enrichment. The effect of nutrient solution supplemented with iron chelate (1.5, 3.0 mg/L) on the plant’s growth and mineral concentration of purple kohlrabi, radish, pea, and spinach microgreens was studied. Increasing the concentration of Fe in the medium increased the Fe content in the leaves of the species under study, except for radish. Significant interactions were observed between Fe and other microelements (Mn, Zn, and Cu) content in the shoots. With the increase in the intensity of supplementation with Fe, regardless of the species, the uptake of zinc and copper decreased. However, the species examined suggested that the response to Fe enrichment was species-specific. The application of Fe didn’t influence plant height or fresh and dry weight. The chlorophyll content index (CCI) was different among species. With increasing fertilisation intensity, a reduction in CCI only in peas resulted. A higher dose of iron in the medium increased the fluorescence yield of spinach and pea microgreens. In conclusion, the tested species, especially spinach and pea, grown in soilless systems are good targets to produce high-quality Fe biofortified microgreens. Full article

Cryopreservation and storage of semen for artificial insemination (AI) result in excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This leads to a shortened life span and reduced motility of spermatozoa post-thawing, with consequent impairment of their function. However, certain levels of ROS are essential to facilitate the capacitation of spermatozoa required for successful fertilisation. Tannins, as well-known antioxidant compounds, may act as ROS binders/acceptors/scavengers to inhibit the damaging effects of ROS. This review comprises an analysis of the semen cryopreservation protocol and health functions of tannins, as well as the effects of ROS on fresh and cryopreserved semen’s longevity and fertilisation. Additionally, we surveyed available evidence of the effects of tannin extract feed supplementation on male fertility. We furthermore interrogated existing theories on tannin use as a potential additive to semen extenders, its relationship with semen quality, and to what degree existing theories have been investigated to develop testable new hypotheses. Emphasis was placed on the effects of tannins on ROS, their involvement in regulating sperm structure and function during cryopreservation, and on post-thaw sperm motility, capacitation, and fertilising ability. The diverse effects of tannins on the reproductive system as a result of their potential metal ion chelation, protein precipitation, and biological antioxidant abilities have been identified. The current data are the first to support the further investigation of the incorporation of tannin-rich plant extracts into semen extenders to enhance the post-thaw survival, motility, and fertilising ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa. Full article

The production system, especially fertilisation has an important effect on yield and quality of strawberries. In the present study, plants were fertilized with different doses of nitrogen (0–100% recommended doses), calcium chelate, as well as nano fertilizer Lithovit. Strawberry cultivar ‘Clery’ yield and quality parameters (fruit color and firmness) including nutritional indicators (total soluble solids, sugars, organic acids, phenolic and volatile compounds) were monitored. Volatiles were identified and monitored using headspace solid phase microextraction and analysed using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (SPME/GC-MS) and sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds with high performance liquid chromatography. Organic acids and phenolic compounds were detected with mass spectrometer (HPLC/MS). Both nitrogen and calcium fertilisation had altered sugars, organic acids, volatile and phenolic contents in strawberry fruits. Fertilisation with higher doses of nitrogen and calcium increased the content of unpleasant aromas aldehydes hexanal (up to 3.8-fold) and (E)-2-hexen-1- (up to 3.7-fold). The content of fruity esters was uppermost in fruits fertilised with nano-fertiliser Lithovit (up to 2.3-fold). Fertilisation with N and Ca decreased the strength of ketone and terpenoids fruity aroma. The highest content of total phenols, as well as all individual hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives were obtained in the nano-fertiliser Lithovit treatment. Fertilisation, especially with nitrogen, had mostly negative impact on strawberry flavour while nano-fertilization with Lithovit improved strawberry phenolic content and aroma. Full article

The objective of this three-year study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of dedusted potassium sulphate and chelated forms of microelements on the contents and accumulation of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) as well as on the quality parameters of potato tubers at the stage of full maturity. Four treatments were analysed, including the control, where only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilisation was applied. Consistent with the experimental design adopted, other trials included: (I) Double foliar treatment with potassium sulphate in the combined dose of 8.6 K kg ha⁻¹ (SOP); (II) double foliar treatment with micronutrients: 12 g Zn ha⁻¹, 12 g Cu ha⁻¹, 300 g Mn ha⁻¹ and 500 g B ha⁻¹ (Micro) and (III) combined application of SOP and Micro on two scheduled terms (SOP + Micro). Two potato varieties were tested: The French fries variety Zorba and the crisps variety Hermes. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design with four replicates for each potato variety. Both the two-fold foliar spray with micronutrients and the treatment combined with the application of potassium sulphate resulted in the enhanced content and accumulation of the elements examined. The significant effect of the experimental factor was especially visible for the content and uptake of manganese and iron. Moreover, a highly significant relationship was determined between the tuber contents of protein and starch. The tuber quality parameters were most significantly conditioned by manganese and iron for the French fries variety and by zinc, copper and manganese for the crisps variety. Full article