Concentrations Of Nutrient Elements Research Articles

Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization

Appropriate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization is critical for plant growth and production. Pinus yunnanensis, a silvicultural tree in southwestern China, faces economic and ecological limitations due to nutrient deficiency in the soils in its distribution areas. The slow growth of this species during the seedling stage exacerbates these problems. Therefore, it is important to realize the regulating effects of N and P proportioning fertilization on seedling growth to enhance nutrient-use efficiency. In this study, variations in morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of seedlings were analyzed under nine treatments of NP proportioning in an open nursery using a regression design. Growth in height and basal diameter increased and showed an approximate tendency in all treatments. The maximum biomass accumulation was observed at 480 d after treatment in roots of T5 (14.714 g) (application N 0.4 g·per−1 and P 3 g·per−1), stems of T5 (12.654 g), leaves of T9 (24.261 g) (application N 0.8 g·per−1 and P 6 g·per−1), aboveground parts of T9 (35.402 g) and individuals of T5 (49 g). The total chlorophyll content peaked in the leaves at 120 d and was correlated with the peak levels of N, P, and K in leaves. The content and reserves of nutrient elements in the organs of seedlings subjected to NP proportioning were significantly higher than those in unfertilized seedlings. Analysis of nutrient utilization efficiency revealed that T5 demonstrated superior seedling growth performance. Appropriate fertilization dosage of N and P for P. yunnanensis seedlings in this study was 0.32 g·per−1–0.58 g·per−1 and 3.02 g·per−1–4.95 g·per−1 respectively, using path analysis and regression equation. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that there were 2,301 DEGs between T5 and T1 (control), which were involved in the uptake and assimilation of nutrients, biosynthesis of phytohormones and secondary metabolites, and photosynthesis. Additionally, the abundance of genes involved in cell division and proliferation, cellulose biosynthesis, and cell wall extension were dramatically upregulated, which potentially correlated with enhanced seedling growth. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive information on the response of seedlings to varying proportions of N and P and may promote the growth of P. yunnanensis seedlings by optimizing the proportion of N and P in fertilizers.

Assessment of Micronutrients and Toxic Elements in Rice Grains: Implications for Food Safety and Nutrition

The complete assessment of micronutrient and toxic elements (Cu, Mo, Sn, Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb) in rice grains and implications for food safety and nutrition is still not understood clearly. Pot experiments were designed to grow the two rice cultivars namely MH63 and LYMZ. For the accurate determination of the micronutrient elements and toxic element, here we used microwave assisted digestion for sample preparation and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination. Good linearity was maintained over the range studied with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.999-1.0. This work focused on evaluating these elements in two rice cultivars MH63 and LYMZ. The micronutrient elements and toxic element in the bran and kernel of both the cultivars were detected below the permitted level set by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States/ World Health Organization(FAO/ WHO). Large portion of the micronutrient elements and toxic elements remain in the bran, very small amounts in the ppb levels remain in the kernel. The translocation of zinc into bran is highest among other nutrient elements. The load of nutrient element copper in the bran of both cultivars remains similar, i.e., 0.006g/kg whereas the toxic element lead in the bran of both cultivar lies below 0.008g/kg. The nutrient element zinc in the kernel of Lymz remains 0.066g/kg where as in MH63 is 0.025g/kg. Nutritionally essential trace element chromium in the kernel of both cultivars lies below 0.004g/kg (1mg/day tolerable limit). The concentration of nutrient elements in two rice cultivars were found to be very close to the minimum levels recommended by Food and agriculture organization (FAO). Thus, the nutrient quality of the rice grain depends on the status of soil, micronutrient element and toxic element concentrations in the permitted range of FAO/ WHO guideline.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF WATER AND NUTRIENT BALANCE INTERACTIONS IN CLOSED HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS

This article presents a study aimed at modeling the interactions of water and nutrient balances in hydroponic systems, which are increasingly recognized as an environmentally sustainable and highly efficient method for growing plants without soil. Hydroponic systems provide optimal nutrient delivery to plants through a water solution maintained in a closed cycle, reducing water and fertilizer usage compared to traditional agriculture. However, the effectiveness of such systems largely depends on precise regulation of water and nutrient balances to ensure proper plant growth and optimize resource use. The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive model that considers the dynamics of water and nutrient environments within the hydroponic system and predicts plants' requirements for essential nutrients. The article examines key parameters that influence nutrient balance in hydroponics, including pH level, concentrations of essential micro- and macronutrients, nutrient uptake rates by plants, evaporation, transpiration, temperature variations, and the nutrient ratio in the solution. Achieving stable water and nutrient balance requires accounting for all these factors and adjusting system parameters according to external conditions and the plants' growth stage. The study’s methodology is based on a combination of mathematical modeling and experimental data, enabling the creation of an adaptive model for the hydroponic system. The article details the model structure, including input variables (temperature, humidity, nutrient concentration), exchange processes (uptake and transpiration), and output variables (optimal nutrient element concentrations). The modeling results facilitate the control and adjustment of the nutrient solution, minimizing water and fertilizer usage while ensuring maximum plant yield. The practical significance of the developed model lies in its applicability for managing hydroponic farms of various scales, from home setups to industrial agricultural enterprises.

Assessing the efficacy of different nano-iron sources for alleviating alkaline soil challenges in goji berry trees (Lycium barbarum L.)

Alkalinity is a significant environmental factor affecting crop production, which is exacerbated by the current climate change scenario. In alkaline soils, iron availability is severely reduced due to its low solubility at high pH levels and bicarbonate concentrations, which hinders plant iron absorption by rendering it inactive. In modern agriculture, green-synthesized nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention due to their environmental compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced potential for foliar uptake. This study explores the effects of various iron sources and concentrations, including FeSO4.7H2O, Fe-EDDHA, Nano-Fe, and green-synthesized nano-Fe, at three concentrations (0, 0.25, and 0.5 g L− 1) on the growth, physiological, biochemical parameters, and nutrient uptake of goji berry. The evaluated parameters included leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaves and fruits, chlorophyll a, b, and a/b ratio, carotenoids, total soluble sugar in leaves and fruits, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase enzymes, and the concentrations of nutrient elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe). Results demonstrated that increasing iron concentrations led to enhanced fresh and dry weights of leaves and fruits, with the highest values recorded at 0.5 g L⁻¹ of all iron sources. Nano-Fe significantly boosted fresh and dry weight of leaves, resulting in a 4.95 to 4.84-fold increase compared to the control. The highest fresh (1.267 g) and dry (0.815 g) fruit weights were observed at 0.5 g L⁻¹ of green-synthesized nano-Fe. Regarding photosynthetic pigments, the chlorophyll a/b ratio peaked at 1.62 mg g⁻¹ FW under the 0.5 g L⁻¹ green-synthesized nano-Fe treatment, while the control exhibited the lowest ratio (1.31 mg g⁻¹ FW). A similar trend was observed in nutrient uptake, with the highest leaf iron content (0.189 mg g⁻¹ DW) recorded in the 0.5 g L⁻¹ nano-Fe treatment, and the lowest (0.116 mg g⁻¹ DW) in the control. Although iron concentration positively influenced most traits, it led to a decline in zinc and manganese levels. Overall, these results highlight the potential of green-synthesized nano-Fe as an efficient, cost-effective iron source for improving vegetative growth, photosynthetic pigment levels, and nutrient uptake in goji berries grown in alkaline soils.

Microplastics' impact on soil health and quality: Effect of incubation time and soil properties in soil fertility and pollution extent under the circular economy concept.

The aim of the present study is to highlight the effect of two commonly used plastics, polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), on the quality and health indices of soil. To this end, a pot experiment was carried out using two soils, one acidic and one alkaline. The soil samples were collected from rural areas of central and Northern Greece and had similar particle size composition and almost equal copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations. PE and PET microplastics (MPs) were added into the soil samples in two ratios (2% and 4% v/v) and remained in the soils for 20, 60 and 120 days. Then, the changes in the properties, nutrients, potentially toxic elements and health indicators of the soil samples were measured. PE addition at 4% v/v caused the maximum increase in trace element availability when it remained in the soil sample for 120 days. In contrast, PET addition caused a maximum decrease in the DTPA-extractable concentration of toxic elements (Cd and Pb), after 120 days of incubation in acid and alkaline soil. The present work provides a fresh perspective evaluating MPs from unwanted waste to materials with potential positive benefits, enhancing the circular economy approach to soil systems. Knowledge of the MPs present in soils, along with physicochemical soil properties, including their nutrient and toxic element content, are critical aspects that need to be addressed to ensure that soil quality and health are not adversely affected.

Genomic information mining reveals Rehmannia glutinosa growth-promoting mechanism of endophytic bacterium Kocuria rosea

This study explored the growth-promoting effect and mechanism of the endophytic bacterium Kocuria rosea on Rehmannia glutinosa, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the development of green bacterial fertilizer. R. glutinosa 'Jinjiu' was treated with K. rosea, and the shoot parameters including leaf length, leaf width, plant width, and stem diameter were measured every 15 days. After 120 days, the shoots and roots were harvested. The root indicators(root number, root length, root diameter, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root volume, and root vitality) and secondary metabolites(catalpol, rehmannioside A, rehmannioside D, verbascoside, and leonuride) were determined. The R. glutinosa growth-promoting mechanism of K. rosea was discussed from the effect of K. rosea on the nutrient element content in R. glutinosa and rhizosphere soil and the genome information of this plant. After application of K. rosea, the maximum increases in leaf length, leaf width, plant width, and stem diameter were 35.67%(60 d), 25.39%(45 d), 40.17%(60 d), and 113.85%(45 d), respectively. The root number, root length, root diameter, root volume, root fresh weight, root dry weight, and root viability increased by 41.71%, 45.10%, 48.61%, 94.34%, 101.55%, 147.61%, and 42.08%, respectively. In addition, the content of rehmannioside A and verbascoside in the root of R. glutinosa increased by 76.67% and 69.54%, respectively. K. rosea promoted the transformation of nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and potassium(K) in the rhizosphere soil into the available state. Compared with that in the control, the content of available N(54.60 mg·kg~(-1)), available P(1.83 μmol·g~(-1)), and available K(83.75 mg·kg~(-1)) in the treatment with K. rosea increased by 138.78%, 44.89%, and 14.34%, respectively. The content of N, P, and K in the treatment group increased by 293.22%, 202.63%, and 23.80% in the roots and by 23.60%, 107.23%, and 134.53% in the leaves of R. glutinosa, respectively. K. rosea carried the genes related to colonization(rbsB, efp, bcsA, and gmhC), N, P, and K metabolism(narG, narH, narI, nasA, nasB, GDH2, pyk, aceB, ackA, CS, ppa, ppk, ppk2, pstS, pstA, pstB, and pstC), and indole-3-acetic acid and zeatin synthesis(iaaH and miaA). Further studies showed that K. rosea could colonize the roots of R. glutinosa and secrete indole-3-acetic acid(3.85 μg·mL~(-1)) and zeatin(0.10 μg·mL~(-1)). In summary, K. rosea promotes the growth of R.ehmannia glutinosa by enhancing the nutrient uptake, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of plant growth-promoting microbial products.

Effect of Rhizobacteria Application on Nutrient Content, Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, Color Properties and Fruit Characteristics of Strawberry Cultivars

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of single and combined applications of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) bacteria on plant nutrition, biochemical content and fruit characteristics in Albion and Monterey strawberry cultivars. Bacillus subtilis OSU-142, Bacillus megaterium M3 and Paenibacillus polymyx were the PGPR used in the experiment. For each bacterial treatment, 10 mL of a 108 CFU mL−1 suspension was applied to the soil where Albion and Monterey cultivars were grown. PGPR bacteria were applied as single treatments and a mixture of equal amounts of these three bacterial species was applied as a mixed treatment. This study was carried out with a total of four different bacterial treatments and one control group. The highest fruit weight was obtained in the Monterey cultivar with 12.67 g in the Mix treatment and in the Albion cultivar with 11.79 g in the Bacillus megaterium M3 treatment. Regarding biochemical properties, Paenibacillus polymyxa was effective in influencing nutrient element content in fruits, while Bacillus subtilis OSU-142, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Bacillus megaterium M3 applications were more effective in leaf nutrient element content. It has been observed that the Mix treatment resulting from the combined use of bacteria, rather than their separate use, has a greater impact on fruit weight. Consequently, it has been understood that PGPR bacteria are potentially effective in improving the agronomic, pomological, and biochemical characteristics of strawberry cultivars and can be used in studies and breeding programs aimed at increasing strawberry yield and quality.

High-yield rice with rich nutrition and low toxicity can be obtained under potato-rice cropping system.

Rice is often rotated with dryland crops to produce sufficient foodstuff, as rice is the main food crop of humans. In order to verify whether under the intensive rice-based cropping system, high yield and good quality of rice can be achieved simultaneously to ensure food security. Five long-term paddy-upland rotations - wheat-rice (WR), rapeseed-rice (RR), garlic-rice (GR), broad beans-rice (BR) and potato-rice (PR) - were conducted from 2014 to investigate rice yield, along with the profiling of 24 elements in rice grain. Mg, Zn, Cu, As, Mo and Sb concentrations were highest in the aleurone layer, and Ag and Cd concentrations showed little variation among different parts of the rice grain. Al, Ti, V, Si, Fe and Tl concentrations in the endosperm under GR were higher, while the Se concentration under PR was the highest. Furthermore, the yield of GR and PR were higher than the other three rotations with N supplementation, and the sustainable yield index of PR and WR were larger than 0.8. When we consider the concentration of toxic (As, Cd and Pb) and nutrient elements (Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Cu and Mg) in the endosperm and grain yields, PR can simultaneously achieve high yield, high nutrition and low toxicity with different nitrogen treatments. Here we provide novel insights regarding the selection of rice-based cropping systems, focused on producing nutritious and safe rice with high grain yield. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Different Doses of Biochar Applications on Yield and Nutrient Element Concentrations on Wheat Grown under Salt Stress

In the study, the effects of different doses of biochar applications on the yield and nutrient uptake of wheat grown under salt stress in greenhouse conditions were investigated. The study was conducted in 2 kg capacity plastic pots with three replications using a random plot design. In the study, salt doses were applied as 0 dS m-1, 6 dS m-1 and 12 dS m-1 (in the form of NaCl), and biochar doses (BC) were applied as 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% W/W. At the end of the study, the dry matter yield of wheat plant and sodium (Na), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) concentrations were determined. Study results showed that BC applications increased the dry matter production of the plant, and the highest was obtained with 2% BC application at 6 6 dS m-1 salt dose, 1.85 g pot-1. However, due to increasing salt doses, BC applications had no effect on the phosphorus and potassium concentrations of the wheat plant, except for calcium, and decreases were determined in the average values. In the study, although all BC applications increased iron, zinc, manganese and copper concentrations compared to the control, when evaluated in terms of average values, decreases were detected in the microelement concentrations of the plant due to increasing salt doses

Transcriptomic and Phenotypical Analysis of the Physiological Plasticity of Chamaecyparis hodginsii Roots under Different Nutrient Environments and Adjacent Plant Competition.

Chamaecyparis hodginsii seedlings undergo significant changes during growth due to different nutrient environments and adjacent plant competition, which is evident in the physiological plasticity changes in their roots. Therefore, in this experiment, 20 one-year-old elite C. hodginsii family seedlings were selected as the test objects, and the different nutrient environments and adjacent plant competition environments in nature were artificially simulated. Four nutrient environments (N heterogeneous nutrient environment, P heterogeneous nutrient environment, K heterogeneous nutrient environment, and homogeneous environment) and three planting patterns (single plant, conspecific neighbor, and heterospecific neighbor) were set up to determine the differences in root physiological indexes and plasticity of different family seedlings, and the families and treatment combinations with higher comprehensive evaluation were selected. The transcriptome sequencing of fine roots of C. hodginsii under different treatments was performed to analyze the differentially expressed genes. The results showed that the root activity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and nutrient element content of C. hodginsii seedlings in the N and P heterogeneous environments were higher than those in the homogeneous nutrient environment, while there was no significant difference between the K heterogeneous nutrient environment and the homogeneous environment, but MDA content was higher than that in other nutrient environments. The root activity and antioxidant enzyme activity in the competitive patterns were generally higher than those in the single plant and reached the peak in the heterospecific neighbor. The root physiological plasticity index of line 490 was the highest, but the comprehensive evaluation of root physiological indexes of lines 539 and 535 was better. The pattern with the highest comprehensive evaluation score was P heterogeneous nutrient environment × heterospecific neighbor. The effects of the N and P heterogeneous nutrient environments on root transcriptome genes were similar, which significantly increased DNA transcription and regulatory factor activity, while K heterogeneous nutrient environment focused on the regulation of root enzyme activity. The heterogeneous nutrient environment induces the conduction of hormone signals in the roots of C. hodginsii and induces the synthesis of phenylpropanone. The biosynthesis of phenylpropanone in the roots of C. hodginsii will increase significantly under competitive patterns. In summary, the N and P heterogeneous nutrient environments and the heterospecific neighbor can improve the root physiological indexes of C. hodginsii families, and the root physiological indexes of lines 539 and 535 are the best. The nutrient environment and competition pattern mainly affect the root system to transmit hormone signals to regulate enzyme activity.

Эффективность поверхностного компостирования табачной пыли с использованием микробных смесей

Abstract. Tobacco dust is the main waste in the production of smoking products. The purpose is to study the possibility of tobacco dust utilization by surface composting together with microbial mixtures “Stimiks Kompost”, “Probioks Agro” and “Geostim”, directly in the field conditions, contributing to the restoration of soil fertility. Methods. In the years of research (2020–2021) tobacco dust was applied in doses of 5 and 8 t/ha in pure form and together with microbiological preparations. Scientific novelty. The method of using tobacco production waste as a fertilizer together with microbiological preparations is proposed. Results. It was established that for 30–60 days, tobacco dust application together with destructors, the content of basic nutrient elements in the soil increased: ammonium nitrogen form by 65–207 %, nitrate nitrogen by 83–225 %, available phosphorus by 21–107 %, exchangeable potassium by 80–194 %. Also Increasing of soil biological activity indicators was determined. The process of nitrifying ability of soil increases by 70–194 %, cellulose-destroying activity of microorganisms increases by 27–133 %, the amount of produced CO2 from soil increases by 61–129 %. The content of organic matter (humus) increases up to 4.2–5.5 % for the period of counting (4.0–4.7 % on the reference). Increase of moisture-holding capacity of soils in variants of experiment with tobacco dust and destructors was established (soil moisture for the period of research amounted to 18.4–25.5 %, in control – 17.1–18.7 %). The best results for surface composting of tobacco dust were obtained under wet conditions in 2021 (Hydrothermal coefficient (HTC) = 1.38), in 2020 HTC = 0.87. Mycological analysis revealed a decrease in soil infestation with pathogenic micro-mycetes in the variants of the experiment with tobacco waste. The increase in yield of bitter pepper (variety Baraniy rog) on the background of a mixture of tobacco dust and biodegraders amounted to 12–32 % (2020), seed cucumber (variety Dal’nevostochnyy 27) – 20–33 %.

Plant growth promoting endophyte modulates soil ecological characteristics during the enhancement process of cadmium phytoremediation

Endophyte assisted phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil represents a promising strategy. However, the precise soil ecological regulatory mechanisms by which endophyte enhance the Cd phytoextraction remain unclear. Here, we employed the plant growth promoting endophyte (PGPE) Pseudomonas sp. E3, which has been validated to effectively enhance Cd extraction in Solanum nigrum L., to investigate its regulatory mechanism on soil ecology. The results demonstrated that while PGPE inoculation resulted in minimal alterations to the physicochemical properties of the bulk soil, it led to a notable increase in acid phosphatase activity by 17.86% and urease activity by 24.85% in the rhizosphere soil. This, in turn, significantly raised the available nitrogen and phosphorus contents by 16.93% and 21.27%, respectively, in the rhizosphere soil. Additionally, PGPE inoculation effectively replenished the bioavailable fractions of Fe and Cd, which had been depleted due to root uptake. Importantly, the inoculation specifically augmented the abundance of biomarkers p_Patescibacteria, f_Saccharimonadales, and g_Saccharimonadales in the rhizosphere soil. These biomarkers exhibited a significant positive correlation with the available nutrient and metal element contents. Moreover, the co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that the inoculation resulted in a simplified bacterial community network, which may have facilitated community synergism by displacing bacteria with a negative association. This regulation appears to occur independently of PGPE colonization. Overall, our findings suggested that PGPE also exerts a regulatory influence on soil ecological features, significantly aiding hyperaccumulators in nutrient acquisition and heavy metal accumulation.

Co-Digestion and Mono-Digestion of Sewage Sludge and Steam-Pretreated Winter Wheat Straw in Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactors—Nutrient Composition and Process Performance

Wheat straw (WS) constitutes a considerable biomass resource and can be used to produce the energy carrier methane through anaerobic digestion. Due to the low contents of several nutrient elements and water in harvested WS, the use of sewage sludge (SS), consisting of primary sludge and waste-activated sludge, as a nutrient source in co-digestion with steam-pretreated wheat straw (PWS) was investigated theoretically and practically. WS was steam-pretreated, with acetic acid as the catalyst, at 190 °C for 10 min, ending with a rapid reduction in pressure. Process stability and specific methane production were studied for the mono-digestion and co-digestion of PWS and SS in continuous stirred-tank reactors for 208 days. The HRT was 22 days and the OLR 2.1 gVS L−1 d−1. In co-digestion, the OLR was increased to 2.8 gVS L−1 d−1 for one week. Nutrient elements were added to PWS mono-digestion at two different concentration levels. Co-digestion was stable, with a total concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) at a safe level below 0.35 g L−1 at both OLRs. The higher OLR during co-digestion would require an increase in reactor volume of 14%, compared to the mono-digestion of SS, but would increase the annual production of methane by 26%. The specific methane production levels for PWS mono-digestion, SS mono-digestion, and co-digestion were 170, 320, and 260 mL g−1VS, respectively. Co-digestion did not result in a synergistic increase in the methane yield. SCFAs accumulated in the mono-digestion of PWS when using lower levels of nutrient supplements, and the concentrations fluctuated at higher nutrient levels. The main conclusion is that PWS and SS can be co-digested with long-term process stability, without the addition of chemicals other than water and acetic acid. The specific methane production for mono-digestion of PWS was relatively low. The effect of using higher concentrations of micronutrients in PWS mono-digestion should be evaluated in future studies.

The possible application of fly ash (FA) to ameliorate acid mine water (AMD) for irrigation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Some areas in Johannesburg abounds with mine wastes namely, acid mine drainage (AMD) as well as fly ash (FA), which are by-products of gold mining and coal burning, respectively. Studies show that a solution formed through mixing these wastes neutralises the acidity of AMD and is an alternative source of irrigation. While studies show improved growth and yield of plants irrigated with fly ash-amended AMD, there are rarely sufficient studies conducted in South Africa showing evidence of altered pH of AMD and that food crops irrigated with fly ash-amended AMD exhibit improved concentration of essential nutrient elements. In this study, AMD was sourced from a gold mine in Johannesburg and fly ash collected from a coal-burning power station in the Mpumalanga Province, mixed at 1:0, 1:1, and 3:1 (w/v) of fly ash to AMD and used to irrigate potatoes. The objective was to assess whether the solutions of FA-amended AMD alter the pH of the AMD and to evaluate if irrigating potatoes with the aforementioned improve the concentration of essential nutrient elements and heavy metals in the tubers. Results show that the pH of AMD was increased in the 1:0 and 1:1 solutions but decreased in the 3:1 solution. The concentrations of Pb and Co were decreased in tubers irrigated with the 50 % AMD and 75 % AMD while that of Ni and Cd were markedly increased in tubers irrigated with solutions of fly ash-amended AMD. In the main, the potato tubers exhibited significantly higher concentrations of Al, Mo, Cu, Ca, Mg, and Zn when irrigated with fly-ash-amended AMD. The pH range levels from FA-AMD treated samples were within the acceptable pH range (5.5–6.5) which is acceptable for water that could be used for irrigation of crops. Also, the decreased Co and Pb and improved concentration of essential nutrient elements indicate that the constituents absorbed large quantities of the heavy metals while releasing the nutrients. In conclusion, the selected fly ash has proven as an alternative low-cost readily-available, affordable, and accessible adsorbent that neutralize the acidity of AMD, decrease the concentration of heavy metals, and increase the concentration of essential nutrient elements. Importantly, the liming potential among other traits of the fly ash improved the quality of the AMD such that the wastes were proven in this study suitable to irrigate potatoes.

Characterization of olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars; colour properties, biochemical contents, antioxidant activity and nutrient contents

AbstractThe olive tree, scientifically known as Olea europaea L., is an evergreen xerophytic tree that defines the natural flora, historical background, and cultural essence of the Mediterranean Basin. This study aimed to establish relationships using multivariate analysis methods between the nutrient content of soil conditions in which olive cultivars grown in Türkiye are cultivated and the nutrient element content, phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity, total chlorophyll amount, and leaf colors of these cultivars. All data sets used in the study were analyzed in 2022 and 2023, and average values were used in the research. According to Tukey's comparison result, it was determined that the soil structure of the garden was homogeneous in terms of nutrients it contained. In nutrient analysis conducted on leaves, in the ‘Çelebi’ cultivar, Al (59.25 mg kg−1), B (6.53 mg kg−1), Cu (48.36 mg kg−1), Fe (69.34 mg kg−1), K (1438.11 mg kg−1), Na (197.12 mg kg−1) nutrients are the highest; in the ‘Gemlik-21’ cultivar, Ca (5485.03 mg kg−1) nutrient is the highest; in the ‘Sarı Haşebi’ cultivar, Mg (928.11 mg kg−1), Mn (19.71 mg kg−1), S (632.77 mg kg−1) nutrients are the highest; and in the ‘Tavşan Yüreği’ cultivar, Ni (1.71 mg kg−1), Zn (9.76 mg kg−1) nutrients are the highest. The L* (49.19), b* (29.43) color values are highest in the ‘Sarı Yaprak’ cultivar, while the a* (28.84) value is highest in the ‘Girit Zeytini’ cultivar. The highest leaf chlorophyll content was determined in the ‘Girit Zeytini’ cultivar (95.57). Total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity were determined to be highest in the ‘Manzanilla’ (151.49 mg GAE/100 g), ‘Edincik Su’ (39.01 mg QE/100 g), ‘Nizip Yağlık’ (91.18%) cultivars, respectively. According to the principal component analysis, the first three principal components accounted for 82% of the total variation. The correlation matrix analysis revealed that high levels of certain minerals in the soil led to an increase in the leaves, resulting in positive correlation, while the opposite was true for negative correlation. According to heat map analysis, mineral elements in the leaf were in the same group, while other data sets were in different groups. The data obtained will shed light on future research on similar topics.

Response strategies of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) to cadmium stress and the gain effects of inoculation with Herbaspirillum sp. YTG72 in alleviating phytotoxicity and enhancing accumulation of cadmium.

Phytoremediation using fast-growing woody plants assisted by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on cadmium (Cd)-contaminated sites is considered a promising technique; however, its remediation efficiency is still affected by multiple factors. In this study, the mining areas' soil conditions were simulated with different Cd addition levels (0, 3, 6, 9mgkg-1) in order to investigate the response strategy to Cd stress of fast-growing economic tree species, slash pine (Pinus elliottii), and the effects of inoculation with the PGPB strain Herbaspirillum sp. YTG72 on the physiological activity and Cd accumulation of plants. The main results showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) increases in contents of chlorophyll and nutrient elements (P, K, Ca, and Mg) at low Cd addition level (3mgkg-1) compared to non-Cd addition treatment. When the additive amount of Cd increased, the growth of plants was severely inhibited and the content of proline was increased, as well as Cd in plants. Besides, the ratios of K:P, Ca:P, and Mg:P in plants were negatively correlated with the contents of Cd in plants and soils. Inoculation of P. elliottii with the PGPB strain Herbaspirillum sp. YTG72 improved the physiological functions of the plants under Cd stress and activated the antioxidant system, reduced the accumulation of proline, and decreased the ratios of K:P, Ca:P, and Mg:P in plant. More importantly, planting P. elliottii in Cd-contaminated soil could significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the Cd content in the rhizosphere soil, and furthermore, inoculation treatment could promote the reduction of soil Cd content and increased the accumulation of Cd by root. The results of the present study emphasized the Cd response mechanism of P. elliottii based on multifaceted regulation, as well as the feasibility of strain Herbaspirillum sp. YTG72 assisted P. elliottii for the remediation on Cd-contaminated sites.

Monitoring of the Fluctuation of the Pollutant Load of Leachate Rejected in Environment. Study in the Northeast of Algeria

In order to model the environmental impact of leachate produced at the engineered landfill center (ELC) of Bouguerguer, Guelma located in the north east of Algeria. A physico-chemical characterization during 2020, was carried out in order to estimate this impact. For this purpose fourteen parameters have been studied which are, In vivo: pH, conductivity, Salinity. In vitro: Organic element contents (BOD5, COD); Heavy metal contents (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr); The contents of nutrient elements (Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonium and Suspended matter). The results obtained show that the leachates studied, have the following characteristics: A basic pH of 8,85 , Suspended matter a fairly large load with 5397,92 mg/L. The organic load interpreted by a COD that reaches an average 1603, 75 mg O2/L and a BOD5 that reaches an average of 778,54 mg O2/L, which strongly justifies the presence of organic pollution. The mineral pollution is also present, translated by a high electrical conductivity which reaches an average value of 33,38 mS/cm, Nitrates and nitrites average 15,68 and 17,93 mg/l respectively. The leachates are also characterized by a high content of Fr, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr with an average of (42,70 ; 10,44 ; 8,27 ; 4,37 and 5,97 mg/l) respectively. Noting that the results obtained constitute the first characterization of leachates in this landfill and thus provide a database for future research.

A Study on the Dust Retention Effect of the Vegetation Community in Typical Urban Road Green Spaces—In the Case of Ying Tian Street in Nanjing City

This study aimed to investigate the association between the plant community structure, leaf surface microstructure, nutrient element content, and the dust-retention capacity of garden plants in urban road green spaces. The plant community located along Ying Tian Street in Nanjing City was selected as the focal point of the investigation. Random sampling was performed on the urban road green spaces, determining the amount of dust trapped in plant leaves. Subsequently, the microstructure of the leaf surface was observed, and the content of nutrient elements in the plant leaves was determined. The study also entailed an analysis of the interrelationships between the leaf surface microstructure, plant nutrient element content, and the dust-retention ability of the plants. The findings of this study revealed notable variations in the dust-retention capacity of garden plants and the community structure observed along Ying Tian Street. Among the tree species, Cedrus deodara and Ginkgo biloba exhibited a remarkable dust-retention ability per unit leaf area. Among the shrub species, Abelia × grandiflora and Loropetalum chinense displayed a strong dust-retention capacity per unit leaf area. Similarly, Ophiopogon japonicus and Cynodon dactylon exhibited a robust dust-retention ability per unit leaf area among the herbaceous plants. Furthermore, the dust-retention ability of the plants exhibited a strong positive correlation with the dimensions of leaf stomata, specifically the length and width, while displaying a moderate positive correlation with the width of grooves on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Conversely, the thickness of the leaves did not exhibit a significant correlation. Additionally, the nitrogen content of the leaves exerted a significant influence on the dust-retention ability of the plants (p &lt; 0.05), although the phosphorus and potassium content factors did not exhibit a significant influence (p &gt; 0.05). Based on the findings, it is recommended to prioritize the utilization of plants with robust dust-retention abilities, such as C. deodara, A. grandiflora, O. japonicus, and C. dactylon, and implement a mixed planting approach encompassing a combination of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants within urban road green spaces.

Effects of rainfall patterns in dry and rainy seasons on the biomass, ecostoichiometric characteristics, and NSC content of Fraxinus malacophylla seedlings.

With global climate change and rising temperatures, rainfall will change. The impact of global rainfall changes on ecosystems has prompted people to delve deeper into how changes in rainfall affect plant growth; Plant biomass, nutrient element content, and non-structural carbohydrate content are very sensitive to changes in precipitation. Therefore, understanding the impact of rainfall changes on seedlings is crucial. However, it is currently unclear how the seedlings of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl in rocky desertification areas respond to changes in rainfall. In this study, the response of biomass, nutrient accumulation, and NSC content of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl seedlings to different rainfall intervals and rainfall during the dry and rainy seasons was studied. Use natural rainfall duration of 5 days (T) and extended rainfall duration of 10 days(T+) as rainfall intervals; average monthly rainfall was used as the control (W), with a corresponding 40% increase in rainfall (W+) and a 40% decrease in rainfall (W-) as rainfall treatments. The research results indicate that the biomass of roots, stems, and leaves, as well as the accumulation of C, N, and P in Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl seedlings increase with the increase of rainfall, while the soluble sugar and starch content show a pattern of first increasing and then decreasing. The biomass and nutrient accumulation of each organ showed root>leaf>stem. Except for the beginning of the dry season, prolonging the duration of rainfall in other periods inhibits the biomass accumulation of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl seedlings, and promotes the accumulation of C, N, and P nutrients and an increase in soluble sugar and starch content. There was a significant positive correlation (P<0.05) between the nutrient contents of C, N, and P in various organs, as well as between soluble sugar and starch content; And N: P>16, plant growth is limited by P element. These results indicate that changes in rainfall can affect the growth and development of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl seedlings, increasing rainfall can promote biomass and nutrient accumulation of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl seedlings, and prolonging rainfall intervals and reducing rainfall have inhibitory effects on them. The exploration of the adaptation of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl seedlings to rainfall patterns has promoted a basic understanding of the impact of rainfall changes on the growth of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl. This provides a theoretical basis for understanding how Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl can grow better under rainfall changes and for future management of Fraxinus malacophylla Hemsl artificial forests in rocky desertification areas.

Determination of the Nutrient and Toxic Element Content of Wild-Collected and Cultivated Seaweeds from Hawai'i.

For centuries, Hawaiians have gathered seaweed for food, medicine, and ceremonial purposes. Seaweed contains nutrients, but some varieties can accumulate toxic elements. We measured target macrominerals (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca), microminerals (B, V, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo), and nonessential/toxic elements (As, Sr, Cd, Sn, Hg, Pb, and U) in a sample of wild-collected and cultivated seaweeds from Hawai'i. The samples consisted of brown (Sargassum aquifolium, Sargassum echinocarpum), red (Gracilaria parvispora, Halymenia formosa, Halymenia hawaiiana), and green (Ulva ohnoi) seaweed. Elemental composition was determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectroscopy and ICP-mass spectrometry (MS). Speciation of As was conducted by using liquid chromatography-ICP-MS. S. echinocarpum per 80 g serving was high in Ca (~37% daily value [DV]), U. ohnoi was high in Mg (~40%DV), H. formosa was high in Fe (~40%DV), and G. parvispora was high in Mn (~128%DV). In this study, the highest amounts of toxic elements were observed in S. aquifolium and S. echinocarpum (27.6 mg inorganic As/kg fdw), G. parvispora (43.3 mg Pb/kg fdw) and H. formosa (46.6 mg Pb/kg fdw). These results indicate that although seaweeds from Hawai'i contain a variety of nutrients, some species can accumulate high amounts of toxic elements.