Search Results (51)

Artemisia maritima holds potential applications in the rehabilitation of degraded environments, particularly in salt-affected areas, for biosaline agriculture aimed at biomass production for further valorization and green biotechnology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the response of A. maritima to alterations in soil chemical composition, including differences in mineral supply, the addition of various sodium salts, and contamination with several heavy metals (cadmium, lead, copper, manganese, zinc), in order to establish a scientific basis for further applied research. Under standard fertilization conditions, the growth of A. maritima plants was restrained by nitrogen deficiency. Surplus nitrogen enhanced mineral uptake and growth, especially for shoots, and stimulated clonal development. Low to moderate (50 and 100 mmol L⁻¹) NaNO₃ treatment significantly stimulated shoot growth, while Na₂HPO₄ and NaHCO₃ treatments exhibited the most adverse effects at 200 and 400 mmol L⁻¹, resulting in reduced growth and biomass, and even the deterioration of the aboveground parts. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters served as reliable early indicators of the detrimental effects of salinity associated with individual anions. Shoot macronutrient levels remained unchanged for phosphorus and calcium, while nitrogen increased in nitrate treatments. Root mineral nutrient content was more susceptible to salinity, with significant changes observed for all macro- and micronutrients, varying depending on the specific element and anion type. The alterations in mineral nutrition observed for each anion treatment exhibited distinct characteristics. A. maritima plants demonstrated high tolerance to all heavy metals, with roots being more susceptible compared to shoots. At the shoot level, statistically significant growth inhibition was evident only for 1000 mg L⁻¹ lead and 1000 mg L⁻¹ zinc treatments. A. maritima plants can be characterized as high accumulators of cadmium, lead, manganese, and zinc, and as extreme accumulators of copper in shoots. Nitrophily, clonal expansion with a help of bud-bearing roots, and the ability to accumulate relatively high concentrations of mineral elements in shoots are among the important physiological characteristics of A. maritima plants, enabling them to exhibit high resilience in environmentally heterogeneous habitats. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nitrogen, as an indispensable macroelement for plants, is essential for tuber development. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the key factors underlying nitrogen regulation of potato tuber formation. Methods: The potato variety Kexin 37 was used as the material, and nitrogen deficiency, normal nitrogen level and excessive nitrogen level were employed as treatments, respectively. The response of potato tuber formation to nitrogen was systematically analyzed from the perspective of physiology and transcriptomics. Results: Nitrogen deficiency led to the thickening of the cell wall and plasma membrane, an increase in intercellular space and a decrease in mitochondria in the stolon. The plant height, chlorophyll content, dry matter quality and nitrogen accumulation were significantly reduced, and the number of tubers per plant, tuber weight per plant and commodity rate were significantly reduced. Excessive nitrogen application resulted in late maturity of plants and excessive formation of small potatoes. Transcriptome analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes related to nitrogen stress were mainly enriched in pathways associated with material transport, cell division and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, there are a series of hub genes in response to nitrogen stress, including polyubiquitin-like, auxin response factor 7-like and protein RRP6-like 2. By constructing a co-expression network, transcription factors (TFs) such as C2H2, WRKY and ARF are involved in regulating tuber formation. Conclusions: The present study constitutes an investigation into the identification of hub genes and potential pathways associated with the formation of potato tubers under varying nitrogen conditions. It provides new insights for further study on enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in potato. Full article

With the acceleration of global urbanisation, the pace of evolution in urban waterfront areas has intensified, consequently hastening the renewal rate of their constituent public spaces. Compared to the macro-level planning and regulation of traditional port and coastal waterfronts, balancing the historical preservation of urban heritage waterfront public spaces with contemporary demands has emerged as a critical issue in urban regeneration. This study examines the historical waterfront area of the Xiaoqinhuai River in Yangzhou, establishing a public space perception evaluation framework encompassing five dimensions: spatial structure, landscape elements, environmental perception, socio-cultural context, and facility systems. This framework comprises 33 secondary indicators. The perception assessment system was developed through a literature review, field research, and expert interviews, refined using the Delphi method, and weighted via the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Finally, cloud modelling was employed to evaluate perceptions among residents and visitors. Findings indicate that spatial structure and socio-cultural dimensions received high perception ratings, highlighting historical layout and cultural identity as strengths of the Xiaoqinhuai Riverfront public space, while significant shortcomings were noted in terms of landscape elements, environmental perception, and facilities. These deficiencies manifest primarily in limited vegetation diversity, inadequate hard paving and surface materials, insufficient landscape node design, poor thermal comfort, suboptimal air quality and olfactory perception, uncomfortable resting facilities, limited activity diversity, and inadequate slip-resistant surfaces. Further analysis reveals perceptual differences between residents and visitors: the former prioritise daily living needs, while the latter emphasise cultural experiences and recreational facilities. Based on these findings, this paper proposes targeted optimisation strategies emphasising the continuity of historical context and enhancement of spatial inclusivity. It recommends improving public space quality through multi-dimensional measures including environmental perception enhancement, landscape system restructuring, and the tiered provision of facilities. This research offers an actionable theoretical framework and practical pathway for the protective renewal, public space reconstruction, and optimisation of contemporary urban historic waterfront areas, demonstrating broad transferability and applicability. Full article

Background: More and more women are following a vegan and vegetarian diet. For some, the use of a vegan diet during lactation is controversial. Purpose: The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze the concentration of selected hormones, micro- and macronutrients, vitamins, and the basic composition and antioxidant status of the milk of vegan women, compared to the milk of omnivorous women. Methods: The study included 17 breastfeeding vegan women and 27 omnivorous women. The basic composition of human milk was analyzed using the MIRIS HMATM analyzer (Uppsala, Sweden) The levels of hormones and vitamins were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent method. In order to determine the antioxidant activity and micro- and macroelements, spectrophotometric methods were used. Results: The vegan group was characterized by a lower average age, lower BMI, and lower WHR index compared to the control group. The milk of vegan women showed significantly higher cortisol concentrations and lower iron, vitamin B6, and antioxidant status than the milk of omnivorous women. Conclusions: A vegan diet helps maintain a healthy body weight and is more popular among younger women, under 30 years of age. Higher levels of milk cortisol in vegan women may indicate a high level of anxiety and stress experienced by breastfeeding women, which may have negative consequences not only for breastfeeding mothers but also for the development of their children. Lack of appropriate supplementation in women who do not consume meat and animal products may cause a deficiency of micro- and macroelements in breast milk. Full article

Bread is a staple food and can be enriched with a variety of deficient nutrients in the human diet. This study evaluated the impact of buckwheat hull addition on the mineral content of toasted bread made with wheat bread flour and wholemeal bread made with the addition of wholemeal wheat flour. Bread samples were prepared with different levels of buckwheat hull addition (1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5%) and compared with a nonenriched control sample. The impact of buckwheat hull addition on mineral content was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. In the tested bread samples, the macroelements, in terms of determined quantities, can be ordered as follows: potassium (K) > phosphorus (P) > calcium (Ca) > sodium (Na) > magnesium (Mg); microelements can be ordered as follows: zinc (Zn) > iron (Fe) > manganese (Mn) > copper (Cu). Statistical analysis showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the manganese content in all enriched breads samples, but the most important changes were observed between 1.5 and 4.5% of husk addition. Significant increases were also observed in the Zn, Mg, Ca, Na and K contents depending on the bread type and the level of husk concentration. This study showed the role of food processing methods, such as food enrichment with a functional ingredient—buckwheat husk—in enhancing the nutritional quality of bread. Buckwheat hull addition to bread increased the coverage of daily requirements for several minerals crucial for the proper functioning of the human body. The consumption of a 100 g portion of husk-enriched (4.5%) wholemeal bread makes it possible to cover up to almost 70% of the daily requirement for manganese in the adult diet. Full article

While forage grasses in southern China exhibit yield and nutritional advantages, the impact of nutrient solutions on alfalfa (Medicago sativa BC₄) growth and elemental accumulation remains understudied. We conducted a pot-based controlled substrate cultivation trial using a nitrogen-poor substrate to compare four treatments: MS, Hoagland, B5 nutrient solutions, and RO water (control). From the V₁ to R₁ stages, the plant height was monitored continuously, with leaf dimensions and soluble proteins (Bradford method) measured at R₁. ICP-MS quantified macro elements (Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺) and microelements (Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺). The growth rates followed the order: MS > Hoagland > RO water > B5. Both the MS and Hoagland solutions significantly increased the leaf length at the R₁ stage (p < 0.001 vs control), with Hoagland showing the greatest leaf expansion. The soluble protein content decreased significantly in all groups (p < 0.05) except MS-treated plants. An elemental analysis revealed treatment-specific accumulation patterns, most notably 1.17-fold higher Fe and 1.48-fold higher Mn in the MS group versus control (p < 0.001). Magnesium levels showed no significant differences among treatments. These results demonstrate the MS nutrient solution’s superior efficacy in enhancing the alfalfa growth parameters (height and leaf size) while maintaining the soluble protein content and promoting Fe/Mn accumulation. The findings provide empirical evidence for optimizing alfalfa cultivation in a nitrogen-deficient soil-based mix substrate through nutrient solution selection. Full article

Nitrogen (N), as a macro-element, plays a vital role in plant growth and development. N deficiency affects plant productivity by decreasing the photosynthesis, leaf area, and longevity of green leaf. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replicates: N0 (0 kg N ha⁻¹), N90 (90 kg N ha⁻¹), N180 (180 kg N ha⁻¹), and N210 (210 kg N ha⁻¹), respectively, i.e., the effects of different N application levels on photosynthetic physiology, leaf characteristics, yield, and production. The findings of the present study underscore the importance of optimizing nitrogen application to maximize light capture, photosynthetic efficiency, and crop productivity. Under N-treated groups (N90, N180, and N210), the average photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of panicle leaves at all levels, N210, was determined to be higher than that of other treated groups, as well as the N0 level and the upper, middle, and lower regions of N0, N90, and N180 plants under the same leaf area index (LAI), and it was noted to be higher under N210, respectively. Dry matter accumulation under N180, and N210 increased, respectively, and under N210, the dry matter accumulation of the population was significantly higher than that under N180, respectively. The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), nitrogen recovery efficiency (NRE), nitrogen internal efficiency (NIE), and partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) under different nitrogen (N) application rates were significantly higher than N0, where the NIE of N180 was significantly higher than that of N210, the NUE and NRE of N180 and N210 were higher than those of N0, and the difference from PFPN was not significant, respectively. Full article

This study aims to evaluate the nutrient status in the leaves of patchouli grown in Inceptisols soil in Aceh, Indonesia. The experiment utilized a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The study’s factor was applying fertilizer nutrients across eight treatments designed according to omission trials. The response to fertilizer nutrients was analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations in patchouli leaves 120 days after planting seedlings in pots. The patchouli seeds used were local varieties from Aceh (“Tapak Tuan”). Urea (45% N), triple phosphate/SP-36 (15.65% P), potassium chloride (49.8% K), calcium carbonate (40% Ca), magnesium oxide (60% Mg), and S elementary (88.9% S) are used as fertilizer sources of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively. The Inceptisols soil used was topsoil (0–20 cm). The experimental results showed that fertilizer nutrient stress treatment influenced the nutrient content of patchouli leaves in Inceptisols. The concentrations of N, P, K, and Ca in the patchouli leaves were below the adequacy threshold, showing deficiency symptoms. The critical nutrient levels in patchouli plants for macroelements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were 4.5%, 0.35%, 1.2%, 2.5%, and 0.25%, respectively. Only Mg reached the nutrient adequacy standard in patchouli. The limiting nutrients for patchouli plants in Aceh Besar Inceptisols are N, P, K, and Ca. It is necessary to add nutrients of N, P, K, and C macro fertilizers to increase the growth and yield of patchouli in Aceh Besar, Indonesia. Full article

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for the human body and is prone to deficiency. Supplementing Zn through zinc-enriched cereals is of great significance in addressing the widespread issue of zinc deficiency. However, there is no simple linear correlation between the soil zinc content and rice grain zinc content, which poses challenges for zoning zinc-enriched rice cultivation based on the soil Zn content. Therefore, accurately predicting the zinc content in rice grains is of great importance. To verify the robustness of the prediction model and expand its applicability, this study established a prediction model using 371 sets of previously collected and tested rice grain and root zone soil samples from the Pearl River Delta and Heyuan regions in Guangdong. The model was validated using the data from 65 sets of rice and root zone soil samples collected and analyzed in Zijin and Dongyuan counties, Heyuan, in 2023. The results show that zinc absorption by rice grains is controlled by multiple factors, primarily related to the soil S, P, CaO, Mn, TFe₂O₃, TOC, and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio. Both the artificial neural network model and random forest model demonstrated a good predictive performance across large regions. However, in the Heyuan region, the random forest model outperformed the artificial neural network model, with an R² of 0.79 and an RMSE of 0.05 when the predicted data were compared against the measured BAF_Zn of the rice. This suggests that predicting the zinc content in rice grains based on the soil macro-elements (including oxides) and TOC is feasible, and, within certain regional boundaries, the prediction model is robust and widely applicable. This study provides valuable insights into the rational development of zinc-enriched rice in the Heyuan region and offers a useful reference for establishing prediction models of the beneficial element content in rice grains in areas with limited data. Full article

Since plant’s edible parts are one of the most important sources of nutrition, agronomic biofortification plays a huge role in overcoming mineral deficiency worldwide. The field-based research trial was set up in 2 years (2020 and 2021) with seven different treatments of foliar Zn and Se biofortification: 1. control (without Se or Zn solutions); 2. Se_1 treatment: 10 g/ha Se; 3. Se_2 treatment: 20 g/ha Se; 4. Se_3 treatment: 30 g/ha Se; 5. Zn_1 treatment: 3 kg/ha Zn; 6. Zn_2 treatment: 6 kg/ha Zn; 7. Se_3 Zn_2 treatment: 30 g/ha Se + 6 kg ha Zn. There were six soybean varieties of the 00 to I maturity group (Ika, Korana, Lucija, Sonja, Sunce, and Toma) included in the study, which originated from the Agricultural Institute Osijek, Croatia. After sampling the plants at the harvest, the macro- and micronutrient status in the grain, pods, leaves, and stems were determined, as well as nutrient removal by the plant. In general, biofortification treatment has a very significant influence (p < 0.001) on both Zn and Se accumulation in soybean grain and the removal of the elements within all above-ground organs. The highest increments of Zn in the soybean grain were determined at the Zn_2 treatment, which was 43% higher than the control treatment. The Toma variety accumulates the highest Zn in the grain (61.47 mg/kg), and the Lucija variety accumulates the highest Se (1070.71 µg/kg). The Se content in the soybean grain was the highest at the Se_3 treatment, where it was 53 times higher compared to the control. The linear regression showed that for each kg Zn and g Se applied, the grain status increased by 3.18 mg/kg and 338.71 µg/kg, respectively. The highest Zn nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of foliar biofortification for grain (2.6%) and vegetative mass (4.4%) was with 3 kg/ha (Zn_1). Generally, for all the Se treatments, it was found that the seed and vegetative mass yields of 4.0 t/ha have average Se NUE, around 38%, and vegetative mass of around 6%. Full article

The current study presents a meta-analysis of the detailed relationship between the composition of 25 essential and toxic elements in chicken tissues examined by ICP-MS and the gut microbial community analyzed using NGS techniques. The examination of chicken liver and meat revealed typical elemental compositions, called the “elementomes”. The α-elementomes showed high contents of macro elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, P), majority trace elements (Sr, Se, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn) and some toxic elements (B, Pb, Ni, Cd); β-elementomes indicated accumulation of Si, V and Cr; γ-elementomes indicated accumulation of Al, As and Hg. Characterization of the microbiomes’ structure showed two distinct enterotypes, designated “microbiome patterns”; the first was enriched in the phylum Bacteroidota, and the second was dominated by Bacillota and coupled with members of the phyla Actinomycetota, Cyanobacteriota and Thermodesulfobacteriota. A comparison of elementomes and microbiomes demonstrated a clear correspondence between the α- and γ-elementomes belonging to the Bacteroidota-enriched pattern, while the β-elementome was predominantly found in chicken groups belonging to the Bacillota + ACT pattern. This insight proposes a novel strategy to improve deficiency or excess of certain elements in the host by gut microbiome modulation, which needs to be verified with further in vivo experiments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nitrogen is an essential macroelement for plant growth and productivity. Calcium (Ca²⁺) acts as a critical second messenger in numerous adaptations and developmental processes in plants. The Calcineurin B-like protein (CBL)-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) signaling pathway has been demonstrated to be involved in multiple intracellular ion homeostasis of plants in response to stresses. However, whether CIPKs are involved in nitrate deficiency stress remains largely unknown. Methods: In this study, we screened Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA insertion mutants of the CIPK family under nitrate deficiency conditions by a reverse genetic strategy. Results: We found that the cipk1 mutant showed a shorter primary root and had a lower fresh weight and total N content compared with wildtype (WT) plants under nitrate deficiency. The CIPK1 complementation lines completely rescued the sensitive phenotype. Additionally, CIPK1 mutation caused nitrogen-starvation marker genes to be decreased under nitrate deficiency. We further found that CIPK1 interacted with teosintebranched 1/cycloidea/proliferating cell factor 1-20 (TCP20) in a yeast two-hybrid system. Conclusions: Collectively, our results reveal a novel role of CIPK1 in response to nitrate deficiency in Arabidopsis. Full article

Anthocyanins are important secondary metabolites in plants, which contribute to fruit color and nutritional value. Anthocyanins can be regulated by environmental factors such as light, low temperature, water conditions, and nutrition limitations. Nitrogen (N) is an essential macroelement for plant development, its deficiency as a kind of nutrition limitation often induces anthocyanin accumulation in many plants. However, there is a lack of reports regarding the effect of nitrogen deficiency on anthocyanin biosynthesis in pears. In this study, we found that N deficiency resulted in anthocyanin accumulation in pear callus and upregulated the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway structural genes (PyPAL, PyCHS, PyCHI, PyF3H, PyDFR, PyANS, and PyUFGT) and key regulatory factors (PyMYB10, PyMYB114, and PybHLH3). Through analysis of transcriptome data of treated pear callus and RT-qPCR assay, a differentially expressed gene PyNAC42 was identified as significantly induced by the N deficiency condition. Overexpression of PyNAC42 promoted anthocyanin accumulation in “Zaosu” pear peels. Additionally, dual luciferase assay and yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that PyNAC42 could not directly activate the expression of PyDFR, PyANS, and PyUFGT. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays confirmed that PyNAC42 interacted with PyMYB10 both in vivo and in vitro. Co-expression of PyNAC42 and PyMYB10 significantly enhanced anthocyanin accumulation in “Zaosu” pear peels. Dual luciferase assay showed that PyNAC42 significantly enhanced the activation of PyDFR, PyANS, and PyUFGT promoters by interacting with PyMYB10, which suggests that PyNAC42 can form the PyNAC42-PyMYB10 complex to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear. Thus, the molecular mechanism underlying anthocyanin biosynthesis induced by N deficiency is preliminarily elucidated. Our finding has expanded the regulatory network of anthocyanin biosynthesis and enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying nutrient deficiency modulates anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear. Full article

Phosphorus (P) stands as a pivotal macroelement in relation to the growth of plants. It plays a significant role in physiological processes, as components of biofilms and nucleotides, and in metabolic activities within plants. The deprivation of phosphorus detrimentally impacts the growth and developmental of plants. However, the rhizosphere’s beneficial fungi and bacteria augment the efficacy of phosphorus uptake, participate in the molecular regulation of phosphorus, stimulate physiological alterations in plants, and facilitate signal transmission. In order to give readers a better understanding of the effects and positive roles of soil beneficial fungi and bacteria in regulating plant phosphorus acquisition and transport, this present review introduces the role and influence of rhizosphere microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) in assisting plant phosphorus absorption, and summarizes the key phosphorus transporters found in their interaction with plants. Using mixed microbial populations as composite microbial fertilizers has a positive effect on plants under phosphorus-deficiency conditions. It will be conducive to a better understanding of the mutualistic relationship between fungi, bacteria, and plants to provide a way to reduce the application of phosphorus fertilizers efficiently, and to provide a research background for the development of microbiological fertilizers. Full article

To provide people with celiac disease with nutrient-rich gluten-free foods, this study aimed to produce cookies based on buckwheat and baobab flours, which were then subjected to nutritional, phytochemical, and sensory analyses. Results demonstrate that baobab flour (BF) and buckwheat flour (BWF) work together to enhance the nutritional properties of the cookies, in that nutrients that BWF is deficient in, BF provides sufficiently, and vice versa. BF is rich in minerals and carbohydrates, while BWF contains comparatively higher fat and protein levels. As for macro- and micro-elements, potassium (K) is the predominant macro-element in BF and BWF, with 13,276.47 ± 174 mg/kg and 1255.35 ± 58.92 mg/kg, respectively. The polyphenol content is higher in BF than BWF, at 629.7 ± 0.35 mg/100 g as opposed to 283.87 ± 0.06 mg/100 g. Similarly, the total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of BF was greater than that of BWF, while BF exhibited 213.13 ± 0.08 mg/100 g and 86.62 ± 0.04%, in contrast to BWF, which had 125.36 ± 1.12 mg/100 g and 79.72 ± 0.01%, respectively. BF significantly enhanced the phytochemical composition of the cookies, with the richest sample being BBC3 containing 30% baobab. Buckwheat and baobab have the most abundant phenolic compounds of rutin and epicatechin, respectively. About the analysis of sensory attributes of the cookies, the partial substitution of BWF by BF of up to 20% (BWF3) significantly increased the scores for all attributes. Indeed, the appearance (physical aspect of the cookie: whether it is firm or not) and color (influence of baobab addition on cookie coloration) of the cookies were significantly improved with the addition of BF of up to 20%, but above 20% they were less appreciated. Similarly, up to 20% BF, the texture, flavor, and overall acceptability of the cookies were significantly improved. Taste, on the other hand, was not significantly improved, maybe due to the acidic taste provided by the baobab. Full article