Content Of Macroelements Research Articles

Comparative examination of bioactive phytochemicals in quince (Chaenomeles) fruits and their in vitro antioxidant activity

Chaenomeles fruits are being applied more frequently, mainly due to its high content of bioactive compounds and their positive effect on health condition. Currently, they are raw materials in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The aim of work was to characterize cultivar Cido of Chaenomeles japonica and two varietal hybrids: Chaenomeles x californica Gold Kalif and Chaenomeles x californica Maksim under their content of mineral, vitamins, antiradical capacity, organic acids, phenolic acids and flavonols. The content of individual macroelements varied between tested cultivars. Cido was the cultivar with the highest mineral content. In that cultivar Fe was comprised two-fold higher than in cv. Maksim, and Cu level (1.1 mg/100g) doubled the content of that element in cv. Gold Kalif. FRAP test results ranged between 379 µM FeSO4/g DM for cv. Cido and 403 µM FeSO4/g DM for cv. Maksim. Low content of amygdalin was also confirmed in all studied fruits. The highest amygdalin content was found in Cido (39.49 μg/100g), and Gold Kalif contained the fewest amygdalin (18.42 μg/100 g). All the cultivars tested were characterized by the highest content of malic acid (9.22-11.44 mg / g DM), while the main phenolic acid in quince fruits was chlorogenic acid 6953.9 - 8185.5 μg / g DM. The content of organic and phenolic acids depends on the variety of the quince. Due to the high content of phytochemicals in quince fruit and the low content of amygdalin, it seems reasonable to develop new directions of fruit application in food technology and functional food design.

Macro and Trace Elements in Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivated in Greece: Risk Assessment of Toxic Elements.

The accumulation of hazardous contaminants in Cannabis sativa L. raises warning signs regarding possible adverse effects on human health due to the consumption of herbal medicines and/or other herbal edible products made from cannabis. Thus, there is an urge to investigate the levels of hazardous contaminants, such as heavy metals, in cannabis plant. In the present study, 29 macro and trace elements, including both beneficial and toxic elements (heavy metals and metalloids), were investigated in 90 samples of Cannabis sativa L. collected from Greece. According to the results, the detected concentrations of macro elements in the leaves/flowers of cannabis ranged between 28 and 138,378 ppm, and of trace elements between 0.002 and 1352.904 ppm. Although the concentrations of elements varied among the samples, their accumulation pattern was found to be similar, with the contribution of toxic elements to the total concentration of trace elements being below 1%. The detected levels of the most toxic elements were below the prescribed limits established by the WHO, while the calculated THQ and CR values showed no risk (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) for the population exposed to the current cannabis samples. Positive correlation between the concentration of elements and cannabis geographical origin and variety was observed. Cannabis leaves/flowers were more contaminated with trace and macro elements than seeds.

Effect of White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) Undersowing Cultivation and Nitrogen Fertilization on Weed Infestation, Biomass Yield and Its Component, Content and Uptake of Macroelements of Willow (Salix viminalis L.)

Fertilization of willow with nitrogen is an important issue with economic and environmental implications. The study was aimed at determining the effect of nitrogen fertilization and white clover on weed infestation, morphology, biomass and chemical composition of willow. A field experiment was established at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Poland) during the years 2013–2017 with the use of a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results showed that the number and dry mass of weeds per m2, the number of willow shoots and the fresh weight yield of willow were smaller where the clover was sown. The plants were found to be higher after applying nitrogen fertilization. The dry mass yield and shoot diameter did not depend on the cultivation method. Nitrogen fertilization increased the ash content. Undersowing willow with white clover, higher nitrogen content was found. Nitrogen fertilization increased the content of ash, and in undersowing cultivation, the willow stems had higher nitrogen content than in monoculture. On average, the phloem had 5.6 times higher crude ash content and 4.6 times higher nitrogen content than wood. On the basis of the conducted research, it can be concluded that in the first years after planting, the undersowing growing of willow with white clover can be an alternative to plantations fertilized and non-fertilized with nitrogen.

Landscape geochemical conditions and patterns of inter-element redistribution of heavy metals in landscapes of Kivertsi National Nature Park “Tsumanska Pushcha”


 
 
 nalysis of landscape geochemical conditions of the territory of Kivertsi National Nature Park “Tsumanska Pushcha” was carried out also the levels of pollution of landscapes within the park and adjacent territories were established. Features of the accumulation and distribution of pollutants in the landscapes of the territory under conditions of natural and Technogenic geochemical anomalies are considered. The landscapes of the studied migration classes (calcium, calcium carbonate, carbonate clayey, acidic calcium) are characterized by a relatively high coefficient of migration intensity due to relatively weak buffering capacity, low water retention capacity and contrasting moisture regime. However, strong gleyed horizons are able to fix contaminants during their surface movement. Using the methods of landscape geochemical research, analytical methods, data on the gross and mobile content of heavy metals were obtained and analyzed. The highest concentrations of manganese and chromium are found in soils differentiated on loess sediments, nickel and copper on glacial sediments. Most of the studied heavy metals exceed the regional geochemical background. In terms of the gross content in soils, trace elements form the following geochemical series: Zn>Cu>Pb>Ni>Mn>Cr. The accumulation of lead up to 2-3 MPC in forest litters is clearly traced. Dependences of the stability of landscapes to Technogenic pollution on the level of conservation of natural geochemical parameters of soils, the degree of their anthropogenic transformation and the level of heavy metals incomings have been established. All studied plants maximally accumulated Mn, Cu, Cr and minimally Zn and Ti which is consistent with the patterns of migration of these elements in the soil. The high accumulation of heavy metals in the aboveground part of the studied plants indicates a significant removal of elements from the soil, which, in turn, makes it possible to consider certain plant species as potential phytoremediators. According to the average values of the concentration of macro elements in plants, the following geochemical series is established: CaO>K2O>MgO>P2O5>SiO2>SO3> Al2O3> Fe2O3>Na2O>TiO2. On the basis of the data obtained, 4 types of biogeochemical bonds between chemical elements in the soil – plant system for the territory of the NPP were identified: V, Ti - soil> plant; Ni - soil <plant; Cr - soil> plant; Mn, Cu - soil <plant.
 
 

Chemical and Biogeochemical Features of Desert Soils of the Central Fergana

Abstract The Fergana valley is a region critically important for food safety in Central Asia. The human-altered soils in Fergana are considered a key component of the transboundary region between sub-boreal and sub-tropic climatic zones. As the results of the investigation of irrigated chloride-sulfate saline soils near the surface showed the deep petrocalcic and petrosalic horizons at various depths with extremely low water and air permeability. The chemical, pedogeochemical, and biogeochemical properties of soils, the content of macroelements, trace elements, lanthanides and radionuclides, and the general geochemical characteristics of desert zone soils were investigated and determined. The background contents of the mentioned elements were recognized. The irragic, salic, gleyic, and gypsic horizons in soils were identified by WRB 2015. They can be used as reference horizons for biogeochemical studies and soil management activities. The irragic, gleyic, carbonate-gypsum horizons, evaporation, oxygenic, and other geochemical barriers were studied and revealed. The processes of accumulation, migration, and differentiation of chemical elements in solum as well as in parent materials occur with the joint effects of exogenous, endopedogenic, and artificial factors. These fluxes of elements, in turn, are affected by the nature of soils and parent materials. In this process, unexplored elements form only scattering fluxes. During the vegetation season, as well as the leaching period, considering the various horizons features will help to save significant amounts of irrigation water.

Exogenous Application Effect of Indole 3-Butyric Acid and Myo-inositol on Improving Growth, Productivity and Bulb Quality of Garlic

Two successive field trials were performed at the Agricultural Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University during the two successive of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. to investigate the influence of 0, 0.5 and 1 mM of indole 3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0, 1, 1.5 and 2 mM myo-inositol (MI) and their interactive as folair application on vegetative growth, bulb yield, biochemical constituents and mineral contents of garlic plants cv. Seds 40. The treatments were laid out in a split plot order with three replicates. The obtained results reported that garlic plants positively responded to the exogenous treatments of IBA and MI individually or interactively. It showed generally that application of IBA at 0.5 mM recorded the highest values of vegetative growth, yiled, quality parmemters as well as the mineral content (N, P and K). In the same regard, application of MI at 1.5 and 2 mM significantly promoted moast of studied traits compared to control and the rest of MI concentration, in both growing seasons. Furthermore, the two-factor interaction was found to be significant for all measured traits in both seasons, except for K content. Whereas, exogenous treatment of IBA at 0.5 mM along with exogenous treatment of MI at 1.5 and/or 2 mM resulted in the highest means of most of the above mentioned traits. Thus, it could be suggested that applying a combination of IBA and MI was found to be effective for enhancing vegetative growth, bulb yield and quality as well as macro-elements content.

ВМІСТ МАКРОЕЛЕМЕНТІВ ТА АКТИВНІСТЬ ФЕРМЕНТІВ КРОВІ СВИНОМАТОК РІЗНОЇ СУПОРОСНОСТІ

У статті наведені результати досліджень макроелементного живлення свиноматок, динаміку їх вмісту та активність ферментів у крові, які визначали на автоматичному аналізаторі Konelab 30. Дослідження проводили під час першої, другої та третьої супоросності. Отримані результати свід-чать про більш низький рівень їх вмісту у крові тварин під час першого періоду виношування плодів. Результати проведених досліджень доводять, що у свиноматок першої супоросності відбувається інтенсивне використання Кальцію. В подальшому у свиноматок дослідної групи вміст Кальцію послі-довно знижувався до 100-ї доби супоросності в 1,09 раза. Така динаміка встановлена за показником вмісту Фосфору у крові тварин контрольної та дослідних груп (зниження в 1,08 раза). Однак спів-відношення вмісту Кальцію до Фосфору було в середньому на рівні 1,18 у тварин контрольної групи і 1,19 у свиноматок дослідної групи. Вміст Калію у крові свиноматок контрольної групи (перша супо-росність) підвищився в 1,20 раза (р<0,01), тоді як в організмі супоросних свиноматок відбувалося його інтенсивне використання, про що свідчить зниження його вмісту впродовж супоросності на 6,06 %. Вміст Натрію у крові свиноматок контрольної групи коливався на рівні 164,12±2,02 – 165,06±2,36 ммоль/л упродовж досліду. Кальцію у крові тварин першої групи виявлено, в середньому, 1,71±0,22 ммоль/л, що на 2,14 % менше, ніж у контролі, а Фосфору в середньому у тварин цієї групи за період досліду в 1,18 раза менше у крові свиноматок третьої дослідної групи (р<0,01). Співвідно-шення вмісту Кальцію до Фосфору було вище у тварин першої дослідної групи і становило в серед-ньому за період досліду 1,42, а у свиноматок третьої дослідної групи знижувалося до 1,23. Актив-ність ЛФ виявилася вищою у крові тварин другої дослідної групи в 1,03–1,09 раза порівняно зі свино-матками першої та третьої дослідних груп, а активність АST і ALT були нижчими у крові тварин третьої дослідної групи. Результати досліджень доводять, що впродовж періоду супоросності не-залежно від віку тварин відбувається зниження вмісту основних макроелементів і підвищується активність ферментів у крові, що свідчить про напруження обміну речовин у період супоросності в організмі свиноматок.

Changes of macromineral and trace element concentration in the blood of ewes during lactation period

The aim of the present research was to determine the changes in macromineral and trace element concentrations in ewes’ blood during the lactation period. Thirty-six Travnik pramenka ewes at the average age of 3–5 years were included in research and they were evaluated at three stages of lactation: early stage (40 ± 5 days of lactation), medium stage (80 ± 5 days of lactation) and late stage (120 ± 5 days of lactation). In ewes’ blood concentrations of macroelements (Ca, P, K, Na, Mg) and trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co, Se, Cd, As) were determined. The average concentrations of macroelements and trace elements in the blood of ewes during lactation were mostly within the reference values. Se concentrations in blood were close to the deficient ones, while concentrations of Cd and As were negligible. Concentration of Ca in blood was the lowest in the early lactation stage, higher in the late stage, and the highest in the medium stage (88.25 mg/l, 96.43 mg/l and 103.43 mg/l, respectively). A significant increase in the concentrations of Mg, Co and Cd and a significant decrease in the concentrations of Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo and Se were found in blood with lactation progress. Significant correlations between the studied parameters were found, especially between macroelements (Ca : K, P : Na, K : Na, K : Mg). Positive correlations were found between some macroelements and trace elements (Ca : Co, Ca : Cd, K : Co, Na : Zn, Na : Se) and between trace elements (Fe : Cu, Cu : Zn, Cu : Mo, Cu : Se, Zn : Se, Mo : Se and Co : As). Negative correlations were found between Ca and Cu, Ca and Mo, P and Cd, K and Cu. Obtained results may help in monitoring the nutritional status and health of ewes during the lactation period, providing a clearer idea related to the supply of macrominerals and trace elements to ewes. Besides, results indicated that the environment of the farming area was not polluted with toxic elements.

Potential of vegetable soybean cultivation in Lithuania

The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential of vegetable soybean (Edamame) cultivation in Lithuania. Six soybean varieties were grown in an open field. Our data showed that the plants of the ‘Chiba Green’ variety were the shortest. Such plants had higher chlorophyll index and photosynthesis intensity. Variety ‘Midori Giant’ had more branches than plants of other varieties. The highest yield was produced by the plants of the ‘Chiba Green’ variety. Higher protein content was found in beans of the ‘Chiba Green’ variety. However, there were no differences found in soluble carbohydrates and micro- and macroelement contents between the varieties. In summary, the results revealed that of the tested varieties, the most suitable and useful for the cultivation under Lithuanian climate conditions was the ‘Chiba Green’ vegetable soybean variety.

Application of Zn-containing foliar fertilisers for recovery of the grain productivity potential of Zn-deficient maize plants

Maize is one of the most sensitive industrial crops of zinc supply. Questions about fertilisation methods and the type of fertilisers used are the subject of serious scientific discussion. The key objective of this paper was to evaluate the possibilities to recover the yielding potential of Zn-deficient young maize plants by application of nanosized Zn-containing foliar fertilisers. The agronomic response of Zn-deficient maize plants to foliar fertilisation with nanoscale zinc-containing foliar fertilisers was investigated. The study was conducted in two stages: i) planting and growing the plants under controlled conditions in a zinc-deficient environment for three months; and ii) moving the plants and continuing the experiment in field conditions. A single spray with two nanosized zinc-containing foliar fertilisers was carried out. The physiological status of the plants and the dynamic of zinc and micro- and macroelements concentration in plant organs were monitored. The influence of foliar zinc fertilisation on yield and grain structural components has been determined. Our results indicated that zinc fertilisation throughout the initial growth stages plays a decisive role in the formation of the reproductive organs of maize plants. Foliar zinc fertilisers can entirely recover the physiological performance of plants grown under conditions of zinc deficiency. Highlights - The application of foliar fertilisers is extremely suitable as the possibility of much faster zinc absorption than from the soil. - Zn-fertilisation of maize plants during the initial growth stages plays a decisive role in the formation of the reproductive organs of maize. - Foliar zinc fertilisers can entirely recover the physiological performance of plants grown under conditions of zinc deficiency.

Mineral, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of selected honey samples consumed in Serbia

Although present in very small quantities, metals are important constituents of honey, having a significant impact on vital functions in the human body. Moreover, honey can be a good source of natural antioxidants, which have an important role in reducing the negative effects of certain human diseases. The content of the determined macroelements in the analyzed samples of domestic honey turned out to be of the following descending order: Na > K>Ca > Mg, and Ca > Na > Mg > K for the commercial types of honey. Generally, the detected content of macroelements was higher in domestic honey compared to commercial honeys, as well as in the case of the content of microelements. In some types of honey, the toxic elements Pb and Cd were detected, which is an indicator of environmental pollution. The results of total phenols content and antioxidant activities have shown that the sample of domestic floral honey from the area of Vlasina has the largest total phenols content and very high antioxidant activities, as well as manuka in the group of the commercial types of honey. The contents of the detected macro and microelements have shown lot of variations which confirms that the geographical origin of honey has a very important influence on its final mineral composition. The detected contents of Pb and Cd, were low, but due to the cumulative and toxic effects of these metals, it is necessary to constantly monitor the content of these pollutants in honey.

Influence of pre-plant root substrate nitrogen levels on growth of selected fruit bearing vegetable seedlings in cylindrical paper pots

In raising vegetable seedlings using cylindrical paper pots, the root substrates inside paper pots dry out fast mainly due to air spaces between paper pots created by chinks between the pot’s exterior and the holding tray. Frequent watering is necessary that contributes to the loss of nutrients by leaching during seedling production. This study was carried out to investigate the appropriate concentration of nitrogen required as a pre-planting fertilizer for growing fruit-bearing vegetable seedlings in cylindrical paper pots. For the experiment, the paper pots were made with the root substrate containing perlite (1–3 mm) and peat moss (10-mesh, 10–20% by volume) and they were placed into the 40-cell trays. The concentrations of all essential elements except nitrogen was equal in all treatments and the N concentration was adjusted to 0, 150, 250, 500, and 750 mg L−1 during the substrate formulation. Then, seedling grafts of cucumber, watermelon and tomato were transplanted and seeds of hot pepper were sown directly into the paper pots. The growth of cucumber, watermelon, and tomato plants were measured at 15, 18, and 21 days after transplanting and pepper at 5 weeks after seed sowing. The concentrations of macro-elements, pH, and EC of root substrates were analyzed every week. The pH of root substrates gradually increased during the seedling growth, but the differences in pH among N treatments is not significant. The EC in all treatments did not changed until one week after the transplanting of cucumber, watermelon, and tomato seedling grafts and 3 weeks after seed sowing of pepper. The concentration of Ca remained similar over time during the entire experimental period, but the concentration of Mg and K decreased 3 weeks after the seed sowing for the pepper growing root substrate. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, and K gradually decreased after one week of transplantation (cucumber, watermelon, and tomato). Based on the results, the optimal concentration of N required is 250 mg L−1 for tomato and 500 mg L−1 for cucumber, watermelon, and pepper respectively. In summary, the appropriate N concentration in the root substrate of paper pot is 250–500 mg L−1, and post-planting fertilization period is 1 week after transplanting for cucumber, watermelon and tomato and 3 weeks after seed sowing for hot pepper.

A comparison of toxic and essential elements in edible wild and cultivated mushroom species

The multi-elemental composition of 4 edible wild-growing mushroom species that commonly occur in Polish forests was compared to 13 cultivated mushroom species available in trade. A considerable variation in the macroelements content was revealed with cultivated species containing higher amounts of macroelements. The mean content of B, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, Pr, Pt, Sb, Sm, Sr, Te, and Tm was higher in cultivated mushroom species, while the opposite was noted for Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg, La, Mo, Sc, and Zn. Selected cultivated forms exhibited increased content of Al (F. velutipes), As (H. marmoreus, F. velutipes), Ni (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, H. marmoreus), and Pb (P. ostreatus, A. polytricha, F. velupites, and L. edodes). Wild-growing species, B. boletus, I. badia, and S. bovinus contained high Hg levels, close to or exceeding tolerable intakes. Compared to cultivated mushrooms, they also generally revealed a significantly increased content of Al (with the highest content in B. edulis and I. badia), As and Cd (with the highest content in B. edulis and S. bovinus in both cases). In turn, the cultivated mushrooms were characterized by a higher content of Ni (particularly in A. bisporus) and Pb (with the highest content in P. eryngii). The exposure risks may, however, differ between wild and cultivated mushrooms since the former are consumed seasonally (although in some regions at a high level), while the latter are available throughout the year. Both cultivated and wild-growing mushrooms were found to be a poor source of Ca and Mg, and only a supplemental source of K, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the human diet. These results suggest that mushrooms collected from the wild or cultivated, should be consumed sparingly. The study advocates for more strict monitoring measures of the content of toxic metals/metalloids in mushrooms distributed as food, preferentially through the establishment of maximum allowance levels not limited only to a few elements and mushroom species.

Selenium effect on wheat grain yield and quality applied in different growth stages

Small field plot experiments were carried out at the testing station of the Central Control and Testing Institute in Agriculture in Veľký Meder (Slovakia) in the experimental years 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. Selenium salts in the form of sodium selenite and sodium selenate were applied in growth phases: end of tillering (BBCH 29) and flag leaf ligule and collar visible (BBCH 39). The effect of experimental years 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 on the yield of wheat grain was not statistically significant within the observed variants. The achieved mean yields were in the range from 10.06 ± 0.81 to 11.07 ± 0.29 t/ha in 2014/2015, from 9.82 ± 0.54 to 10.32 ± 0.10 t/hain 2015/2016 and from 11.23 ± 0.76 to 11.64 ± 0.51 t/ha in 2016/2017. Selenate in comparison with selenite influenced the selenium accumulation in wheat grains more positively. However, a significant difference was recorded in variants with selenite application in the flag leaf growth phase in comparison with the end of tillering phase. The influence on the content of macroelements P, K, Ca and microelements Cu and Fe was observed in sodium selenite only; its application decreased the element content in comparison with the control variant. Statistically significantly higher values of fiber and fat were achieved after application of selenium in the flag leaf growth stage in comparison with the end of tillering.

Accumulation of phenolic antioxidants in flowers and fruits of guelder rose (Viburnum opulus L.) depending on site conditions

Various parts of guelder rose (Viburnum opulus L.), including the bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits, have long been used in modern and folk medicine. This study aims to evaluate how site climatic conditions and soil properties influence the accumulation of phenolic antioxidants in flowers and fruits of Viburnum opulus L. It was established that the content of total phenolics in fruits was 1.7 times that in the flowers; the content of tannins, 2.5 times; antioxidant activity, 2.3 times. A high correlation between antioxidant capacity and the content of phenolic compounds (r = 0.90; p <0.001) and tannins (r = 0.94; p <0.001) was revealed. Site conditions have a strong effect both on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in Viburnum opulus L. and on the antioxidant activity of the study sample extracts. The highest concentrations of the phytocomponents under study were associated with heavy precipitation and high average contents of organic matter and macroelements (phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen). These findings highlight the importance of fulfilling agro-technical requirements for the cultivation of Viburnum opulus L., both to ensure high yields and to obtain products with better biochemical composition.

Dynamics of macroelements content in blood of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with different genotypes in postnatal ontogenesis

The dynamics of macronutrients in blood of foxes (Vulpes vulpes L., 1758) of two coloring genotypes: silver-black (A/a b/b; a/a B/B) and Vyatka moth (A/A B/B) in postnatal ontogenesis - at the age of 2, 4, 6 and 12 (adults) months. Macronutrients were determined by the capacity of a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer “BioChem SA” (the USA) using reagent kits from High Technology (the USA). In growing young foxes of coloring genotypes: silver-black (A/a b/b; a/a B/B) and Vyatka moth (A/A B/B), the final profile of the content in the blood of macronutrients Ca2+, Mg2+ and phosphorus is formed by the age of 6 month. Moreover, only in Vyatka moth males (A/A B/B) at the age of 2 months a significant effect of the genotype on the increase in Ca2+ level was noted, in females of the same genotype at the age of 4 months – on the increase in the level of Mg2+. The obtained data can be used as reference values in the study of the etiology and pathogenesis of diseases accompanied by impaired metabolism of macroelements.

Macroelement content in plants after amendment application to cobalt-contaminated soil

AimThe study was undertaken to determine the effect of amendments used in remediation of cobalt-contaminated soil on the macroelement content of all organs of spring barley (the main crop) and white mustard (the after-crop).MethodsIn the experiment, six blocks were selected: without amendments; with manure (bovine, granulated); clay; charcoal; zeolite; and with calcium oxide (50%). In each of the blocks, increasing doses of cobalt were applied: 0, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 mg kg−1 of soil.ResultsCobalt-contaminated soil and amendments application had a significant effect on macroelement content of all organs of both plants.ConclusionsIn blocks without amendments, 80 mg Co kg−1 contributed the most increase in nitrogen, sodium, and calcium contents of both organs of spring barley. Cobalt-contaminated soil increased content of all macroelements in white mustard organs. Application of amendments to soil had strong impact on phosphorus, sodium, and calcium contents of organs of both plant species, compared to the control block (without amendments). Among the amendments, manure had the greatest effect on the content of macroelements in plants. Manure increased phosphorus, potassium, and sodium contents of all organs of both plants. The optimal content of macroelements is extremely important for the growth and development of plants, especially on soils contaminated with trace elements, including cobalt.

The effect of fertilizing soils degraded by the metallurgical industry on the content of elements in Lactuca sativa L.

The aim of the study was to determine the content of macroelements (Ca, K, P, S, Mg) and microelements (Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Zn, Pb, Zn, Ti) in the leaves of Lactuca sativa grown in soils contaminated by the mining and metallurgical industry. The plants were cultivated using four fertilization variants: (a) unfertilized soil, (b) mix of straight fertilizers, (c) multinutrient fertilizer and (d) organic fertilizer, namely granular cattle manure. The study also involved an analysis of metal accumulation degree in the edible parts of lettuce by means of calculating a bioaccumulation index—transfer factor (TF). The analysis of the impact of fertilization on the content of the elements in the edible parts of fertilized versus unfertilized lettuce demonstrated that phytoavailability of the metals was most effectively limited by the multinutrient fertilizer and the mix of straight fertilizers. The organic fertilizer proved to be the least effective. The highest TF values (> 0.1) were recorded for macroelements, which denotes their intense and moderate accumulation. Poor bioaccumulation was observed for Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn (0.01 ≤ TF < 0.1), whereas in the case of Fe, Pb and Ti—trace bioaccumulation or no bioaccumulation was found (TF ≤ 0.01).

Content of macroelements in tubers of several potato varieties depending on the foliar fertilization applied

Content of macroelements in tubers of several potato varieties depending on the foliar fertilization applied

Effect of biological preparations and mineral nitrogen fertilisation on the content of protein and macroelements in spring wheat grain

Effect of biological preparations and mineral nitrogen fertilisation on the content of protein and macroelements in spring wheat grain