Search Results (183)

Zinc (Zn) deficiency poses a major global health challenge, and wheat grains generally contain low Zn concentrations. In this study, the wheat cultivar ‘Zhongmai 175’ was identified as zinc-efficient. Hydroponic experiments demonstrated that Zn deficiency induced the secretion of oxalic acid and malic acid in root exudates and significantly increased total root length in ‘Zhongmai 175’. To elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms, transcriptome profiling via RNA sequencing was conducted under Zn-deficient conditions. A total of 2287 and 1935 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in roots and shoots, respectively. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs were primarily associated with Zn ion transport, homeostasis, transmembrane transport, and hormone signaling. Key DEGs belonged to gene families including VIT, NAS, DMAS, ZIP, tDT, HMA, and NAAT. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, particularly lignin synthesis genes, was significantly downregulated in Zn-deficient roots. In shoots, cysteine and methionine metabolism, along with plant hormone signal transduction, were the most enriched pathways. Notably, most DEGs in shoots were associated with the biosynthesis of phytosiderophores (MAs, NA) and ethylene. Overall, genes involved in Zn ion transport, phytosiderophore biosynthesis, dicarboxylate transport, and ethylene biosynthesis appear to play central roles in wheat’s adaptive response to Zn deficiency. These findings provide a valuable foundation for understanding the molecular basis of Zn efficiency in wheat and for breeding Zn-enriched varieties. Full article

Manganese (Mn) excess and low pH often coexist in some citrus orchard soils. Little information is known about the underlying mechanism by which raising pH reduces Mn toxicity in citrus plants. ‘Sour pummelo’ (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) seedlings were treated with 2 (Mn2) or 500 (Mn500) μM Mn at a pH of 3 (P3) or 5 (P5) for 25 weeks. Raising pH mitigated Mn500-induced increases in Mn, iron, copper, and zinc concentrations in roots, stems, and leaves, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, and zinc distributions in roots, but it mitigated Mn500-induced decreases in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and boron concentrations in roots, stems, and leaves, as well as nutrient imbalance. Raising pH mitigated Mn500-induced necrotic spots on old leaves, yellowing of young leaves, decreases in seedling growth, leaf chlorophyll concentration, and CO₂ assimilation (A_CO2), increase in root dry weight (DW)/shoot DW, and alterations of leaf chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transients and related indexes. Further analysis indicated that raising pH ameliorated Mn500-induced impairment of nutrient homeostasis, leaf thylakoid structure by iron deficiency and competition of Mn with magnesium, and photosynthetic electron transport chain (PETC), thereby reducing Mn500-induced declines in A_CO2 and subsequent seedling growth. These results validated the hypothesis that raising pH reduced Mn toxicity in ‘Sour pummelo’ seedlings by (a) reducing Mn uptake, (b) efficient maintenance of nutrient homeostasis under Mn stress, (c) reducing Mn excess-induced impairment of thylakoid structure and PEPC and inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis, and (d) increasing A_CO2 and subsequent seedling growth under Mn excess. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice (Oryza sativa L.) poses serious health risks for human, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. This study investigated the effects of Cd stress on iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and Cd accumulation and translocation in rice varieties with high (MY46) or low (ZS97B) Cd accumulation capacities grown in acidic and alkaline soils. Results demonstrated that Cd stress significantly inhibited plant growth, reducing plant height, shoot biomass, and grain yield in both soil types. Cd accumulation increased in roots, shoots, and grains, while Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations decreased markedly. Molecular analysis revealed upregulation of metal transporter genes (OsIRT1, OsNRAMP1, OsNRAMP5) and the vacuolar sequestration gene (OsHMA3) in roots under Cd exposure. The translocation factor (TF) values of Mn and Zn from root to shoot were reduced in acidic soils, whereas Mn and Zn TFs exhibited an increasing trend in alkaline soils despite Cd exposure. Furthermore, correlation analyses indicated Mn and Zn play crucial roles in suppressing Cd accumulation in both acidic and alkaline soils. These findings provide critical insights for developing soil-specific strategies to reduce Cd accumulation in rice through micronutrient management. Full article

Old vineyards in production in the Pampa biome have high levels of metals, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). The high metal contents in the soil can damage the growth and development of the cover plant species that cohabit the vineyards. However, it is possible to define the critical toxicity level (CTL) of metals in soil and tissue in order to monitor and define possible strategies for reducing metal inputs and selecting more tolerant species. This study aimed to define the CTL of Cu, Zn, and Mn in the soil and plant tissue of plants present between the rows of vineyards with different cultivation histories in the Pampa biome in South America. For this purpose, soil and plant tissue samples were collected in a native field area (NF), without agricultural cultivation and in two vineyards, vineyard 1 (V1) and vineyard 2 (V2), both with a history of fungicide application. To define the CTL, the foliar concentrations and soil contents of Cu, Zn, and Mn were correlated with the dry mass production of the shoot. The CTLs for Cu, Zn, and Mn in the soil were set at 15, 3.0, and 35 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. In the tissue, CTLs for Cu, Zn, and Mn were estimated at 75, 77, and 380 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The contents of Cu, Mn, and Zn in the soil of the vineyards are above the CTL. The concentrations of the metals in the tissue varied, with samples above the CTL for Cu and Zn in the vineyards. The values of Cu, Zn, and Mn in NF are below the CTL in soil and tissue. The high contents of Cu, Zn, and Mn in the soil and tissue limited the dry mass production of the plants between the rows of vineyards. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intraspecific differences in zinc (Zn) tolerance and accumulation in the hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens are linked to Zn-induced changes in transpiration and mineral composition. At 500 µM Zn in the nutrient solution, a decrease in the root and shoot biomass, the water content in roots, and the contents of photosynthetic pigments in shoots was observed only in the non-metallicolous population Wilwerwiltz, whereas in the calamine population Prayon, root growth was stimulated. Zinc-induced impairment of mineral nutrition was greater in Wilwerwiltz than in Prayon, which determined the manifestation of Zn toxicity in Wilwerwiltz. The absence of signs of Zn toxicity and the stimulation of root growth in Prayon may be due to lower Zn accumulation in Prayon than in Wilwerwiltz, as well as more effective mechanisms of Zn detoxification. The higher Zn content in the shoots and, in particular, in the water-storage cells of the leaf epidermis in Wilwerwiltz compared to Prayon may be partly due to the higher transpiration rate in Wilwerwiltz, at least at 500 µM Zn. These findings suggest that the metallicolous population maintains better control over Zn accumulation, which may be a part of the adaptive response to Zn-enriched media. Full article

Zinc (Zn) fertilization is widely used in maize (Zea mays L.) production to alleviate Zn deficiency and improve biomass and grain yield. However, limited research exists on Zn management in maize cultivated in high-pH paddy soils following rice-based systems, where altered soil chemistry may affect Zn availability and plant uptake. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zn application rates on growth, yield, and Zn uptake in two hybrid maize varieties under such conditions. Field experiments were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 dry seasons in Phetchabun Province, Thailand, using a randomized complete block design with a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement and four replications. Treatments included four Zn rates (0, 5, 10, and 20.6 kg of Zn/ha), applied as Zn sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO₄·H₂O, 36% Zn) by soil banding at the V6 stage, and two hybrid varieties, Suwan 5731 (SW5731) and Suwan 5819 (SW5819). In 2019, significant Zn × variety interactions were observed for biomass, crop growth rate (CGR), and grain yield. SW5819 at 10 kg of Zn/ha produced the highest biomass (31.6 t/ha) and CGR (25.6 g/m²/day), increasing by 15.3% and 39.1%, respectively, compared to its own no Zn treatment. In contrast, 20.6 kg of Zn/ha reduced SW5819 biomass by 6.6% and 13.1% relative to SW5731 and its own no-Zn treatment, respectively. Grain yield in SW5819 peaked at 14.7 t/ha under 5 and 10 kg of Zn/ha, significantly higher than SW5731 under 0 and 5 kg of Zn/ha by 16.7%, while SW5731 showed no significant response. In SW5819, shoot and grain Zn uptake significantly increased under 5 and 10 kg of Zn/ha by up to 36.8% and 33.3%, respectively, compared to no Zn treatment. The lowest shoot Zn uptake was found in SW5819 under 20.6 kg of Zn/ha (264.1 ± 43.9 g/ha), which was lower than all its Zn treatments and all SW5731 treatments, showing a reduction of 19.4–43.6%. Zn application improved soil Zn availability, and Zn partitioning among plant organs varied with Zn rate and season. A moderate Zn rate (10 kg of Zn/ha) optimized maize performance under high-pH, rice-based conditions, emphasizing the need for variety-specific Zn management. Full article

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are increasingly used in agriculture to stimulate plant growth and development, including under in vitro culture conditions. However, there is limited data on the effects of ZnONPs on the micropropagation of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. The pharmacological properties of this species make it a valuable medicinal plant. In Poland, it does not occur naturally but is cultivated for the production of herbal material. In vitro micropropagation is an effective method for obtaining genetically uniform plantlets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of various concentrations of ZnONPs on growth parameters and the content of mineral nutrients, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and photosynthetic pigments in Scutellaria baicalensis cultured in vitro. Shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm⁻³ BA and 0.1 mg dm⁻³ IBA, together with ZnONPs at concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg dm⁻³. The results showed that ZnONPs at concentrations of 10–20 mg dm⁻³ had no statistically significant effect on shoot or root development or on fresh weight gain. However, higher concentrations (30 and 40 mg dm⁻³) had a significantly negative impact on the number and length of shoots and roots, as well as on biomass accumulation. ZnONPs at 10–20 mg dm⁻³ significantly increased the content of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc in regenerated multi-shoot plantlets. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.951) was observed between ZnONP concentration and zinc accumulation in the plantlets. The levels of manganese and copper were not significantly different from the control. Plantlets treated with 30–40 mg dm⁻³ ZnONPs had significantly lower levels of calcium, iron, manganese, and copper. Those grown at 30 mg dm⁻³ had the highest potassium and magnesium levels, while plantlets exposed to 40 mg dm⁻³ had the highest zinc content. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (measured using ABTS and DPPH assays) were significantly higher in ZnONP-treated plantlets compared to the control. In contrast, the levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll (a + b), and carotenoids were significantly lower in plants treated with ZnONPs. A strong negative correlation was found between ZnONP concentration and photosynthetic pigment content, while the ZnONP concentration was positively correlated with total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ABTS⁺ and DPPH). Full article

Zinc (Zn: 0–400 mg L⁻¹ zinc acetate), lead (Pb: 0–400 mg L⁻¹ lead acetate), and cadmium (Cd: 0–8 mg L⁻¹ cadmium chloride) tolerance in stem explants of Tocoyena brasiliensis Mart. from seeds collected in the Brazilian Cerrado were studied under controlled conditions. The explants showed a regular growth activity in a metal-free medium. All metals did not affect explant survival, except for 400 mg L⁻¹ Zn, which resulted in lethality. Shoot number was not affected by metal treatment, while shoot length and leaf number varied depending on the metal. Cd induced a gradual reduction in leaf number without affecting shoot length. Pb gradually reduced the shoot length at concentrations beyond 200 mg L⁻¹, while no effects were found in Zn concentrations from 0 to 200 mg L⁻¹. Pb and Zn induced leaf production at 50 mg L⁻¹, while a gradual reduction was observed with increasing concentration. Callus formation was not affected by Cd, while increasing Zn and Pb concentrations reduced this cell division and organization with Zn, showing drastic effects. Altogether, T. brasiliensis explants demonstrated high tolerance to Cd and Pb. However, further studies are needed to explore the phytoextraction capacity of this species at in vitro and planta levels. Full article

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. is a commonly used bulk Chinese herbal remedy. Due to the large-scale mining of wild Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., its natural resources are gradually exhausted. In addition, there are some problems in Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. cultivation, such as lack of guidance, excessive application of fertilizers and so on, which lead to the yield and quality of Bupleurum to be below the standard value. Therefore, it is significant to clarify the regulation of quality and yield under different levels of fertilizers. In this study, three different levels of potassium fertilizer were applied; then, the metabolites in different parts of Bupleurum were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to detect the alterations in the metabolic spectrum and recognize both the accumulation and distribution of key metabolites in response to each level of potassium fertilizer. The contents of various mineral elements, such as sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, and copper, in different parts of Bupleurum under different potassium levels were determined. Potassium fertilizer had a significant impact on the absorption and distribution of these mineral elements. There were synergistic and antagonistic effects between each element and K⁺. The results showed that low and high potassium levels could promote the progression of main shoots and roots, but inhibited the accumulation of dry matter in lateral shoots and flowers. Low potassium levels stimulated the content of saikosaponin a in all plant parts, while high potassium levels inhibited the accumulation of most saikosaponin a,c and d. A total of 77 metabolites were identified by GC–MS, of which glycerol, d-glucose, silane and copper phthalocyanine were highlighted as the key metabolites in response to potassium fertilizer. The abovementioned metabolites are mapped into insulin signaling pathways, streptomycin biosynthesis, galactose metabolism and other metabolic pathways, sustaining the metabolic regulation of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. Full article

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of various foliar fertilization treatments on the growth of new shoots, photosynthetic characteristics of leaves, and mineral nutrient content in the leaves of ‘Marselan’ grapevines. Five distinct combinations of nano zero-valent iron (n ZVI), compound sodium nitrophenolate (CSN), and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) were administered through foliar application to ‘Marselan’ grapevines cultivated in the Wuwei region of the Hexi Corridor, with water spray serving as the control treatment. The results showed that T5 treatment (15 mg·L⁻¹ n ZVI + 0.4 g·L⁻¹ CSN + 2.5 g·L⁻¹ KH₂PO₄) significantly increased the leaf area and SPAD value of ‘Marselan’ grapes; T4 treatment (15 mg·L⁻¹ n ZVI + 0.4 g·L⁻¹ CSN + 1.67 g·L⁻¹ KH₂PO₄) significantly increased the internode length of new grape shoots. T5 treatment was favorable to increase the basic coarseness of new grape shoots, the net photosynthetic rate of the leaves, and stomatal conductance; leaf transpiration rate was the highest under the T4 and T5 treatments; T3 (15 mg·L⁻¹ n ZVI + 0.4 g·L⁻¹ CSN + 1.25 g·L⁻¹ KH₂PO₄), T4, and T5 treatments could improve leaf initial fluorescence at different periods. At 45 days after flowering, the maximum photochemical efficiency under the T3 and T4 treatments reached the highest value throughout the period, and the T3 treatment improved leaf potential maximum quantum yield. Meanwhile, the leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content under the T5 treatment were the highest in the five periods. Additionally, the contents of potassium (K), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the leaves increased significantly under the T4 and T5 treatments. The following conclusions emerged from a comprehensive analysis: the T4 treatment was the best, and the T5 treatment was the second most effective. Full article

In the 21st century, sustainable agriculture is expected to become a major contributor to food security and improved nutrition. Amine–epoxide-based materials have great potential for use in agriculture due to their tunable physicochemical features, which are dependent on the concentration and composition of the monomers. In this work, catalyst-free green synthesis, using only water as a solvent, was performed to obtain a nanocarrier (TGel) capable of transporting nutrients after seed priming. The synthesis was based on the opening of the epoxy ring by nucleophile attack, using an amine-terminated polyether. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques showed the spherical morphology of the particles, which ranged in size from 80 nm (unloaded TGel) to 360 nm (zinc-loaded TGel), respectively. Theoretical bonding analysis revealed that Zn cation species from the ZnSO₄ source interact with the polymer via σ-bonds, whereas EDTA forms hydrogen bonds with the polymer, thereby enhancing noncovalent interactions. Micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) provided details of the distributions of Zn in the seed compartments and shoots of cucumber plants after seed priming and plant growth, respectively. The use of the Zn-loaded TGels did not affect the physiology of the cucumber plants, as indicated by the photosynthetic efficacy, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin indices. Full article

A pot study was conducted to assess the potential of green waste compost on soil properties, growth, physiology, and metal uptake of lettuce plants grown in acidic and neutral loam-textured soils irrigated with copper- and zinc-polluted wastewater (WW). The experiment consists of sixteen treatments involving two different soils with and without compost addition (compost and NoCompost) and irrigated with unpolluted WW, Cu-polluted WW, Zn-polluted WW, and Cu- plus Zn-polluted WW, arranged following factorial layout with three replications. The results illustrated that Cu- and Zn-polluted WW significantly reduced the growth, chlorophylls, and carotenoid pigments of lettuce plants in both soils under NoCompost conditions. However, the decline in these attributes was more pronounced in acidic soil (45–59%) than in neutral soil (30–38%). In the case of neutral soil, Zn-polluted WW did not negatively affect these attributes compared to control. All the metal-polluted treatments increased total polyphenols, polyphenolic acids, flavonoids, and antiradical activity in lettuce shoots. Alternatively, the compost application consistently increased (8–50%) the growth and physiological attributes of lettuce in both soils. Compost treatment decreased root and shoot metal (Cu, Zn) concentrations and uptake by 25–60% and 16–25%, respectively, in both soils. Likewise, compost decreased the metal health risk index (37%—2.7 folds) in both soils. Copper-polluted WW decreased the dehydrogenase activity of soils more than Zn-polluted WW, but compost significantly increased it in both soils, enhancing the organic matter contents of both soils. Conclusively, the addition of compost at the rate of 2% substantially alleviated the metal toxicity thereafter human health risks in both soils. Full article

From the point of view of farming utilization, investigations on the recognition of the mineral composition of sedges appears important, appropriate and useful. Sedges are often found in many meadow and pasture communities. It is therefore worth paying attention to the mineral content of their tissues and their possible impact on the organisms of farm animals such as pigs. The basic objective of this study was to determine the concentration of selected macro and microelements: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), silicon (Si), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chrome (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in the biomass of seven sedge species, potentially used as fodder, commonly occurring in natural sites in Central Europe. The material was collected twice during one growing season in the Krześniczka (N 52°37′14′ E 14°46′06′)—lubuskie voivodeship. The first harvest was carried out at the beginning of May, during the shooting and earring phase. The collected plant material included stems and leaves. The second harvest—the end of June—was collected at a time when the seedlings were developing flowers and young fruits, and their vegetative organs were developing dynamically. In June, the collected material represented organs in all possible development phases. The collected material was dried at a temperature of 65 °C, ground, and analyzed. The obtained results showed a difference in the content of microelements between the May and June harvest dates in the dry matter of all analyzed sedge species, which differed statistically significantly only in relation to copper. The harvest date had a statistically significant impact on the change in the content of macroelements in the dry matter of all analyzed sedge species and was associated with a decrease in the content of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, while in the case of silicon, the delay in mowing resulted in an increase in the content of this element. Full article

The increasing severity of salinity stress, exacerbated by climate change, poses significant challenges to sustainable agriculture, particularly in salt-affected regions. Soil salinity, impacting approximately 20% of irrigated lands, severely reduces crop productivity by disrupting plants’ physiological and biochemical processes. This study evaluates the effectiveness of zinc (Zn) and silicon (Si) nanofertilizers in improving maize (Zea mays L.) growth, nutrient uptake, and yield under both saline and non-saline field conditions. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via the co-precipitation method due to its ability to produce highly pure and uniform particles, while the sol–gel method was chosen for SiO₂ NPs to ensure precise control over the particle size and enhanced surface activity. The NPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM-EDX, confirming their crystalline nature, morphology, and nanoscale size (ZnO~12 nm, SiO₂~15 nm). A split-plot field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of the nano and conventional Zn and Si fertilizers. Zn was applied at 10 ppm (22.5 kg/ha) and Si at 90 ppm (201 kg/ha). Various agronomic, chemical, and physiological parameters were then evaluated. The results demonstrated that nano Zn/Si significantly enhanced the cob length and grain yield. Nano Si led to the highest biomass increase (110%) and improved the nutrient use efficiency by 105% under saline and 110% under non-saline conditions compared to the control. Under saline stress, nano Zn/Si improved the nutrient uptake efficiency, reduced sodium accumulation, and increased the grain yield by 66% and 106%, respectively, compared to the control. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted a strong correlation between nano Zn/Si applications with the harvest index and Si contents in shoots, along with other physiological and yield attributes. These findings highlight that nanotechnology-based fertilizers can mitigate salinity stress and enhance crop productivity, providing a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture in salt-affected soils. Full article

In this study, five poplar clones (Populus deltoides cl. PE19/66, cl. S1-8, cl. 135/81, and Populus × euramericana cl. I-214, cl. Pannonia) and two white willow clones (Salix alba cl. 380, cl. 107/65-9) were tested in pot trials. The aim was to evaluate their potential for phytoextraction of nine heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in three substrates, two based on soil from landfills near Belgrade and Novi Sad, and one control treatment based on nursery soil. The shoot content of all analyzed heavy metals was the highest in the BG substrate with the highest content of heavy metals and the lowest in the control substrate. White willow clone 107/65-9 achieved the highest accumulation of Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb and along with another willow clone 380 is found to act as generalists. Poplar clones performed more as specialists: I-214 and Pannonia for copper, PE 19/66 for manganese and S1-8 for nickel and zinc. Considerable differences among examined clones in heavy metal accumulation and reaction to substrates should be taken into consideration in further pot and field trials as well as in phytoremediation projects on landfills. Full article