Root Mineral Research Articles

Comparison of Mineral Density of Dental Structures of Ancient Human Skeletons from the Roman Period with Modern-Day Human Dental Structures

Comparison of maxillary, mandibular, dental crown and root mineral density in human skeletons identified in historical excavations with today's human maxillary, mandibular dental crown and root. After the skull images were obtained, four groups were created: maxilla 1, mandible 1 from the old period, maxilla 2 from the images taken from today's patients, and mandible 2 from the images taken from today's patients. Seventeen skeletons were previously classified as young age, middle age, and older age. Among the archive tomography images, 17 images from young (15-35), middle (36-56) and older (57 and over) age images were included in the study. HU value of the desired region was calculated automatically by the device using Region of interest (ROI). In this study, 34 jaws and 68 teeth were evaluated, including 7 mandibles and 10 maxillae from the late Roman period, and 8 mandibles and 9 maxillae from today's people. The average HU value of the crowns of mandibular anterior teeth from the late Roman period was measured as 2406.0. The average HU value of the crowns of maxillary anterior teeth was found to be 3383.8. In the posterior aspect, the average crown HU value measured in the maxilla was found to be higher than that in the mandible. The finding showed that the density of dental tissues of ancient people, such as enamel and dentin forming the crown, and cementum and dentin forming the root, was significantly higher than today's people.

Short-term microbial community dynamics induced by 13C-labeled maize root, its derived biochar and NPK in long-term amended soil

Crop residues and their derived biochar are frequently used for their potential to improve grain yield, soil fertility and carbon (C) sequestration. However, the effects of root are often overlooked, and the effects of chemical fertilizer (NPK) combined with root or its biochar on microbial community structure need further study. This study used 13C-labeled maize root, its biochar and soil with different fertilization for 8 years as materials and substrates. A 112-day incubation experiment was conducted to explore the effects of microbial community on the C processing. During incubation, the root-C (54.9%) mineralized significantly more than biochar-C (12.8%), while NPK addition significantly increased the root-C mineralization. Adding biochar alone did not significantly change the microbial community. Compared to the biochar treatment (BC), the root treatment (R) notably increased the contents of total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), 13C-PLFA and the proportion of fungi and Gram-negative bacteria, but reduced the proportion of actinomycetes. The root mineralization was significantly correlated with the relative content of 13C-Gram-positive bacteria and 13C-fungi, while biochar mineralization was significantly correlated with the relative content of 13C-Gram-positive bacteria and 13C-actinomycetes. Notably, NPK addition significantly increased the contribution of biochar-C to PLFA-C pool, while decreasing the contribution of root-C. In summary, due to microbial adaptation to the lack of bioavailable C in biochar-amended soil, biochar can act as a buffer against the significant disturbance caused by NPK to microbial communities and native soil organic carbon (SOC), which contributes to the steady enhancement in soil C storage.Graphical

Impacts of poultry manure and biochar amendments on the nutrients in sweet potato leaves and the minerals in the storage roots

Poultry manure (PM) has demonstrated its potential to enhance crop nutritional quality. Nevertheless, there remains a dearth of knowledge regarding its synergistic effects when combined with wood biochar (B) on the nutrient concentrations in sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas L.) and the mineral content stored in sweet potato storage roots. Hence, a two-year field trial was undertaken during the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons in southwestern Nigeria, spanning two locations (Owo—site A and Obasooto—site B), to jointly apply poultry manure and wood biochar as soil amendments aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of sweet potato crop. Each year, the experiment involved different combinations of poultry manure at rates of 0, 5.0, and 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at rates of 0, 10.0, 20.0, and 30.0 t ha−1, organized in a 3 × 4 factorial layout. The results of the present study demonstrated that the individual application of poultry manure (PM), biochar (B), or their combination had a significant positive impact on the nutrient composition of sweet potato leaves and minerals stored in the sweet potato storage roots, with notable synergistic effects between poultry manure and biochar (PM × B) in enhancing these parameters. This highlights the potential of biochar to enhance the efficiency of poultry manure utilization and improve nutrient utilization from poultry manure. The highest application rate of poultry manure at 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at 30.0 t ha−1 (PM10 + B30), resulted in the highest leaf nutrient concentrations and mineral composition compared to other treatments at both sites. Averaged over two years, the highest application rate of poultry manure at 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at 30.0 t ha−1 (PM10 + B30) significantly increased sweet potato leaf nutrient concentrations: nitrogen by 88.2%, phosphorus by 416.7%, potassium by 123.8%, calcium by 927.3%, and magnesium by 333.3%, compared to those in the control (PM0 + B0). The same treatment increased the concentration of sweet potato root storage minerals: phosphorus by 152.5%, potassium by 77.4%, calcium by 205.5%, magnesium by 294.6%, iron by 268.4%, zinc by 228.6%, and sodium by 433.3%, compared to the control. The highest application rate of poultry manure at 10.0 t ha−1 and biochar at 30.0 t ha−1 yielded the highest economic profitability in terms of gross margin (44,034 US$ ha−1), net return (30,038 US$ ha−1) and return rate or value-to-cost ratio (VCR) (263). The results suggested that the application of poultry manure at 10 t ha−1 and biochar at 30 t ha−1 is economically profitable in the study areas and under similar agroecological zones and soil conditions.

Optimizing sweet potato production: insights into the interplay of plant sanitation, virus influence, and cooking techniques for enhanced crop quality and food security.

This study investigates the impact of sweet potato plant sanitation on the yield and external and internal quality root storage exploring the nutritional content affected by various cooking methods (raw, boiled, and oven-cooked). The presence of viruses, and concretely of the sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV), in sweet potato propagation material is shown to significantly reduce yield and modify storage root quality. Notably, the research reveals a substantial improvement in crop yield and external quality, reinforcing the efficacy of plant sanitation methods, specifically apical meristem culture, in preserving the overall productivity of sweet potato crops. Furthermore, the investigation identifies a noteworthy decrease in starch content, suggesting a dynamic interaction between plant sanitation and starch metabolism in response to viral diseases. The study also delves into the alteration of mineral absorption patterns, shedding light on how plant sanitation influences the uptake of essential minerals in sweet potato storage roots. While the health status of the plants only slightly affected magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) accumulation, indicating a potential resilience of mineral balance under virus-infected conditions. Moreover, the research identifies significant modifications in antioxidant levels, emphasizing the role of plant sanitation in enhancing the nutritional quality of sweet potatoes. Heat-treated storage roots, subjected to various cooking methods such as boiling and oven-cooking, exhibit notable differences in internal quality parameters. These differences include increased concentrations of total soluble solids (SS) and heightened levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The observed increase in antioxidant capacity underscores the potential health-promoting benefits associated with plant sanitation practices. Overall, the study underscores the critical importance of plant sanitation in enhancing sweet potato production sustainability, contributing to food security, and supporting local agricultural economies. The results emphasize the need for further research to optimize plant sanitation methods and promote their widespread adoption globally, providing valuable insights into the complex relationships in food quality.

An evolutionary system of mineralogy, Part VIII: The evolution of metamorphic minerals

Abstract Part VIII of the evolutionary system of mineralogy focuses on 1220 metamorphic mineral species, which correspond to 755 root mineral kinds associated with varied metamorphic rock types, most of which likely formed prior to the Phanerozoic Eon. A catalog of the mineral modes of 2785 metamorphic rocks from around the world reveals that 94 mineral kinds often occur as major phases. Of these common metamorphic minerals, 66 are silicates, 14 are oxides or hydroxides, 8 are carbonates or phosphates, 4 are sulfides, and 2 are polymorphs of carbon. Collectively, these 94 minerals incorporate 23 different essential chemical elements. Patterns of coexistence among these 94 minerals, as revealed by network analysis and Louvain community detection, point to six major communities of metamorphic phases, three of which correspond to different pressure-temperature (P-T) regimes of metamorphosed siliceous igneous and sedimentary rocks, while three represent thermally altered carbonate and calc-silicate lithologies. Metamorphic rocks display characteristics of an evolving chemical system, with significant increases in mineral diversity and chemical complexity through billions of years of Earth history. Earth's first metamorphic minerals 27 formed in thermally altered xenoliths and contact zones (hornfels and sanidinite facies) associated with early Hadean igneous activity (> 4.5 Ga). The appearance of new Hadean lithologies, including clay-rich sediments, arkosic sandstones, and carbonates, provided additional protoliths for thermal metamorphism prior to 4.0 Ga. Orogenesis and erosion exposed extensive regional metamorphic terrains, with lithologies corresponding to the Barrovian sequence of index mineral metamorphic zones appearing by the Mesoarchean Era (> 2.8 Ga). More recently, rapid subduction and rebound of crustal wedges, coupled with a shallowing geothermal gradient, has produced distinctive suites of blueschist, eclogite, and ultrahigh pressure metamorphic suites (< 1.0 Ga). The evolution of metamorphic minerals thus exemplifies changes in physical and chemical processes in Earth's crust and upper mantle.

Enhancing Wheat Tolerance to Cadmium Stress through Moringa Leaf Extract Foliar Application.

Cadmium, a hazardous heavy metal prevalent in plants and soil, poses a significant threat to human health, particularly as approximately 60% of the global population consumes wheat, which can accumulate high levels of Cd through its roots. This uptake leads to the translocation of Cd to the shoots and grains, exacerbating the potential health risks. However, promising results have been observed with the use of moringa leaf extract (MLE) foliar spray in mitigating the adverse effects of Cd stress. The current experiment was conducted to find out the Cd stress tolerance of wheat varieties V1 = Akbar-19 and V2 = Dilkash-2020 under exogenous spray of MLE. The treatments of this study were T0 = 0% MLE + 0 µM Cd, T1 = 3% MLE + 0 µM Cd, T2 = 0% MLE + 400 µM Cd, and T3 = 3% MLE + 400 µM Cd. Cd stress demonstrated a significant reduction in morphological attributes as shoot and root fresh weight (22%), shoot and root dry weight (24.5%), shoot and root length (22.5%), area of leaf and number of leaves 30.5%, and photosynthetic attributes (69.8%) in comparison with control. Exposure of wheat plants to Cd toxicity cause oxidative stress, increased H2O2, and MDA up to 75% while foliar application of MLE reduced the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbic acid (AsA) increased up to 81.5% as well as organic osmolytes such as phenolics, total soluble proteins, and total soluble sugars were improved up to 77% by MLE applications under Cd stress. Higher accumulation of ionic contents root Na+ (22%) and Cd (44%) was documented in plants under Cd stress as compared to control, while uptake of root mineral ions Ca2+ and K+ was 35% more in MLE-treated plants. In crux, Cd toxicity significantly declined the growth, photosynthetic, and biochemical parameters while 3% MLE application was found effective in alleviating the Cd toxicity by improving growth and physiological parameters while declining reactive oxygen species and root Na+ as well as Cd uptake in wheat.

Phenotypic characterization, plant growth and development, genome methylation, and mineral elements composition of neotetraploid lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

Stable neotetraploid lines of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were produced from three phenotypically distinct cultivars (Annapolis, Eruption, Merlot) and an advanced breeding line (SM13-L2) using colchicine treatment of seeds or young seedlings. When tested under the greenhouse and field conditions, neotetraploids initially grew more rapidly than their diploid progenitors, however they reached their reproductive stage (bolting, flower bud formation, and flowering) substantially later. Seeds production on neotetraploids was delayed by more than 30 days compared to diploids. Tetraploid plants had fewer, but larger stomata and leaves, less chlorophyll per area, higher photosystem II photochemical efficiency, generally lighter root system, and produced less than 1% of seeds in comparison with diploids. Field-grown neotetraploids of all lines displayed a significant reduction in tipburn (1.8% vs. 22.2%, respectively), a highly undesirable physiological disorder. Changes in leaf and root mineral composition were detected in neotetraploids. Several elements were found in lower abundance than in diploids, most notably iron, calcium, and silicon. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) revealed 498 differentially methylated regions (DMR), with 106 of these regions having at least 50% difference in the level of methylation between neotetraploids and their diploid progenitors. At least 18 of the most prominent DMR were detected in proximity to genes predicted to be involved in plant development or reaction to biotic and abiotic stressors. Because neotetraploid lines have low seed production, they are not suitable for commercial cultivation. They can be used, however, in research to study the factors contributing to tipburn, traits affected by stomata size or density, and the effect of ploidy on resistance to environmental stressors.

Growing sweet potatoes [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.)] for their greens and the impact on storage roots

Sweet potato greens are an underused but highly nutritious vegetable that grows well in urban environments and could help alleviate food insecurity and related health problems. Therefore, trials were conducted in field rows and a green roof with seven varieties of sweet potatoes to determine whether 1) they differed in their production of greens and 2) harvesting greens influenced yield or nutrients of storage roots. There was no difference in the mass of sweet potatoes greens harvested among the varieties in either production system. Harvesting greens severely reduced the harvested mass of storage roots, although it increased the content of eight minerals in storage roots, including boron, calcium, copper, iron, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, and zinc. Urban farmers may have to decide whether harvesting greens or storage roots are their primary objective if harvesting the former limits the latter. Future research should explore the timing of harvesting greens and the amount taken to see if different methods allow for a high yield of storage roots that are high in nutrients.

Impaired breakdown of Herwig's epithelial root sheath disturbs tooth root development.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a variety of roles in both the dental epithelium and mesenchyme at most stages of tooth development. In this study, we verified the roles of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) breakdown in tooth root development. This breakdown results in formation of epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM). Following induction of β-catenin stabilization in the epithelium of developing tooth at the moment of HERS breakdown, HERS failed to break down for ERM formation. HERS with stabilized β-catenin was altered into a multicellular layer enveloping elongated root dentin with higher expression of junctional proteins such as Zo-1 and E-cadherin. Importantly, this impairment of HERS breakdown led to arrest of further root elongation. In addition, the portion of root dentin enveloped by the undissociated HERS remained in a hypomineralized state. The odontoblasts showed ectopically higher expression of pyrophosphate regulators including Ank and Npp1, whereas Tnap expression was unchanged. Our data suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is decreased in HERS for ERM formation during root development. Furthermore, ERM formation is important for further elongation and dentin mineralization of the tooth roots. These findings may provide new insight to understand the contribution of ERM to root formation.

The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach.

Aside from its importance in human and animal health, low levels of foliar-applied selenate (SeO4) can be advantageous in the presence of sulfur (S), contributing to improved growth, nutrient uptake, and crop quality. A hydroponic experiment in a growth chamber explored the interactive influence of Se and S on micronutrients and several quality indices, such as soluble sugars, organic acids, and total protein concentrations in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Three levels of S (deprivation, adequate, and excessive) with varying quantities of Se (deficient, moderate, and higher) were examined in combination. Under S starvation and along with S nourishment in plant parts, Se treatments were found to cause noticeable variations in plant biomass and the concentrations of the examined elements and other quality parameters. Both Se levels promoted S accumulation in S-treated plants. Although the Se treatment had the opposite effect in shoots, it had a favorable impact on minerals (apart from Mn) in roots grown under S-limiting conditions. The S and Se relationship highlighted beneficial and/or synergistic effects for Mn and Fe in edible spinach portions. Reducing sugars were synergistically boosted by adequate S and moderate Se levels in roots, while in shoots, they were accumulated under moderate-or-higher Se and excessive S. Furthermore, the concentration of the quantified organic acids under S-deficient conditions was aided by various Se levels. In roots, moderate Se under high S application enhanced both malic acid and citric acid, while in the edible parts, higher Se under both adequate and elevated S levels were found to be advantageous in malic acid accumulation. Moreover, by elevating S levels in plant tissues, total protein concentration increased, whereas both moderate and high Se levels (Se1 and Se2) did not alter total protein accumulation in high S-applied roots and shoots. Our findings show that the high S and medium Se dose together benefit nutrient uptake; additionally, their combinations support soluble sugars and organic acids accumulation, contributing ultimately to the nutritional quality of spinach plants. Moreover, consuming 100 g of fresh red spinach shoot enriched with different Se and S levels can contribute to humans' daily micronutrients intake.

Physiological response mechanism of alfalfa seedlings roots to typical explosive cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX)

This study explored the physiological response mechanism of alfalfa seedlings roots to a typical explosive, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), so as to improve the efficiency of phytoremediation. The response of plants to different levels of RDX were analyzed from the perspectives of mineral nutrition and metabolic networks. Exposure to RDX at 10–40 mg L−1 had no significant effect on root morphology, but the plant roots significantly accumulated RDX in solution (17.6–40.9%). A 40 mg L−1 RDX exposure induced cell gap expansion and disrupted root mineral metabolism, The key response elements, P, Cu, and Mg, were significantly increased by 1.60–1.66, 1.74–1.90, and 1.85–2.50 times, respectively. The 40 mg L−1 RDX exposure also significantly disturbed root basal metabolism, resulting in a total of 197 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). The main response metabolites were lipids and lipid-like molecules, and the key physiological response pathways were arginine biosynthesis and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. A total of 19 DEMs in root metabolic pathways, including L-arginine, L-asparagine, and ornithine, were significantly responsive to RDX exposure. The physiological response mechanism of roots to RDX therefore involve mineral nutrition and metabolic networks and are of great significance for improving phytoremediation efficiency.

Kefir peptides attenuate atherosclerotic vascular calcification and osteoporosis in atherogenic diet-fed ApoE -/- knockout mice.

Aims: Vascular calcification (VC) and osteoporosis were previously considered two distinct diseases. However, current understanding indicates that they share common pathogenetic mechanisms. The available medicines for treating VC and osteoporosis are limited. We previously demonstrated that kefir peptides (KPs) alleviated atherosclerosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE -/- ) mice. The present study further addressed the preventive effects of KPs on VC and osteoporosis in ApoE -/- mice fed a high-cholesterol atherogenic diet (AD). Main methods: Seven-week-old ApoE -/- and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6). The development of VC and osteoporosis was evaluated after AD feeding for 13weeks in KP-treated ApoE -/- mice and compared to C57BL/6 and ApoE -/- mice fed a standard chow diet (CD). Key findings: The results indicated that KP-treated ApoE -/- mice exhibited lower serum total cholesterol, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) activities, which suggested that KPs prevented hyperlipidemia and possible damages to the liver and muscle in ApoE -/- mice. KPs reduced serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the local expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and macrophage-specific CD68 markers in aortic tissues, which suggested that KPs inhibited inflammatory responses in AD-fed ApoE -/- mice. KPs reduced the deposition of lipid, collagen, and calcium minerals in the aortic roots of AD-fed ApoE -/- mice, which suggested that KPs inhibited the calcific progression of atherosclerotic plaques. KPs exerted osteoprotective effects in AD-fed ApoE -/- mice, which was evidenced by lower levels of the bone resorption marker CTX-1 and higher levels of the bone formation marker P1NP. KPs improved cortical bone mineral density and bone volume and reduced trabecular bone loss in femurs. Significance: The present data suggested that KPs attenuated VC and osteoporosis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in AD-fed ApoE -/- mice. Our findings contribute to the application of KPs as preventive medicines for the treatment of hyperlipidemia-induced vascular and bone degeneration.

Ecophysiology of Endangered Plant Species Saussurea esthonica: Effect of Mineral Nutrient Availability and Soil Moisture

Saussurea esthonica is an endangered plant species typical for wet inland habitats such as calcareous fens. Due to its limited population size and distribution, non-invasive sampling of is important in the research of S. esthonica. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of mineral nutrient availability and substrate moisture on the growth, physiological status, and mineral nutrition of S. esthonica. The non-destructive measurement of physiological parameters was performed in native habitats during three vegetative seasons, followed by two experiments in controlled conditions. Soil at the two Estonian sites had a relatively larger similarity in the composition of plant-available mineral nutrients in comparison to the two Latvian sites. The chlorophyll a fluorescence parameter Performance Index correlated with the total precipitation in the respective month before measurement, but no significant relationship with other environmental variables was found. For mineral nutrient experiments, plants were grown in four substrates with different mineral nutrient composition, resembling that of soil at different S. esthonica sites. Plant growth and physiological indices were significantly affected by the mineral composition of the substrate. Differences in leaf and root mineral nutrient concentrations of S. esthonica plants in part reflected differences in substrate mineral concentration. To evaluate the effect of soil moisture on growth and photosynthesis-associated parameters of S. esthonica, plants were cultivated in "Pope+" substrate at four different moisture treatments (dry, normal, wet, and waterlodged). The most intense growth of S. esthonica plants was evident in waterlodged conditions, which decreased with a decrease in soil moisture. The biomass of leaves increased by 106% and that of the roots increased by 72% as soil moisture increased from dry to normal. For waterlodged plants, leaf biomass increased by 263% and root biomass increased by 566%, in comparison to that for plants cultivated in dry substrate. Substrate drying had a more negative effect on the growth of S. esthonica plants in comparison to that of waterlodging, and this can be directly linked to prevalent hydrological conditions of an alkaline fen habitat native to the species. Therefore, the preservation of the natural water regime in natural habitats is critical to the conservation of the species.

Differential effects of parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and abaloparatide on collagen 1 expression by mouse cementoblasts and mouse tooth root density

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays an important role in maintaining mineral homeostasis by regulating calcium and phosphate levels. Clinical trials have shown that peptides of PTH (1-34), PTH-related protein (PTHrP 1-36), and the new peptide modeled on PTHrP, abaloparatide, can have different anabolic effects on osteoporotic subjects, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The prevalence of moderate and major gingival recession has been shown to be higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In addition, there is a significant association between osteoporosis and tooth loss. We investigated the actions of these peptides on the cementoblasts and teeth of mice. The murine cementoblast line, OCCM-30, known to express collagen I (Col1a1), was treated with intermittent PTH (1-34), PTHrP (1-36), or abaloparatide for 6 h/d for 3 days. Microcomputed tomography was performed on the teeth of mice receiving daily injections of phosphate-buffered saline, PTH (1-34), or abaloparatide. Statistical differences were analyzed by a 2-way or 1-way analysis of variance followed by a Tukey's post-hoc test. Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and P<0.05 was considered significant. Gene expression showed regulation of Bsp, Col1a1, Opg, Rankl, and Mmp13 by the 3 peptides in these cells. Western blots revealed that after intermittent treatment for 3 days, PTH (1-34) caused an increase in COL1A1 protein immediately after treatment. In contrast, abaloparatide showed a latent effect in increasing COL1A1 protein 18 hours after treatment. PTHrP had no effect on COL1A1 expression. Immunofluorescence confirmed the same result as the Western blots. Microcomputed tomography of teeth showed PTH (1-34) injections increased molar root mineral density in mice, whereas abaloparatide increased density in roots of incisors and molars. This study reveals the differential anabolic effects of intermittent PTH (1-34), PTHrP (1-36), and abaloparatide on cementoblasts, as revealed by COL1A1 expression and root mineral density. Abaloparatide may be a potential therapeutic approach for achieving improved cementogenesis.

Remediation of Cadmium Stress in Strawberry Plants Using Humic Acid and Silicon Applications.

(1) Background: Strawberry plants are strongly affected by heavy-metal-contaminated soils, which affects plant growth, yield and fruit quality. The aim of this work was to study the effects of a combination and individual application of silicon (Si) and humic acid (HA) on growth and development of Rubygem strawberries exposed to cadmium (Cd) in greenhouse conditions. (2) Methods: Morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters, including minerals in roots and leaves were determined. (3) Results: Cd stress in strawberry plants decreased plant fresh and dry weight; leaf stomatal conductance; leaf relative water content and chlorophyll content; number of leaves; leaf area; leaf N, P and K levels; and root P, N, Mg, K and Ca contents. Cd increased membrane permeability, leaf temperature, proline levels and lipid peroxidation. Si and HA individual applications to strawberries mitigated the negative effect of Cd stress on biochemical, physiological, morphological and minerals parameters by decreasing membrane permeability, leaf temperature, proline levels and lipid peroxidation. (4) Conclusions: Our findings highlighted that applications of Si, HA and Si + HA were effective in conferring Cd tolerance in strawberry plants by upregulating their many morphological, physiological and biochemical properties and reducing Cd stress.

Overexpression of Nicotianamine Synthase (AtNAS1) Increases Iron Accumulation in the Tuber of Potato.

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a global health problem, especially in underdeveloped countries. Biofortification with genetic engineering methods has been used to improve Fe nutrition in a number of crops. Various steps, e.g., uptake, distribution, and storage, involved in Fe homeostasis have been manipulated to increase the Fe concentration in the edible portions of plants. Nicotianamine (NA) is an important metal ion chelator in plants. It promotes the mobility of Fe and decreases cellular Fe toxicity. Increasing the Fe content in crops by promoting NA synthesis could help decrease human diseases associated with Fe deficiency. In the present study, Arabidopsis thaliana nicotianamine synthase 1 (AtNAS1) was overexpressed in potato (Solanum tuberosum, St) under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Transgenic plants had a significantly increased amount of Fe in tubers (52.7 µg/g dry weight, 2.4-fold the amount in wild-type tubers), while no differences in plant phenotype or yield were detected between transgenic and wild-type plants. The expression of genes involved in root mineral uptake and homeostasis, such as StYSL1, StIRT1, StFRO1, and StNAS, was also altered in the roots and leaves of the transgenic plants. Our results demonstrate that the manipulation of Fe chelation is a useful strategy for Fe nutrition improvement, and the increased Fe accumulation in tubers of transgenic potato plants is most likely caused by the increased movement of Fe from the leaf to the tuber.

Foliar Applications of Humic Substances Together with Fe/Nano Fe to Increase the Iron Content and Growth Parameters of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Iron deficiency, which severely decreases the plant yield and quality, is one of the major problems of calcareous soils. Foliar applications of humic substances and/or Fe fertilizers are environmentally friendly methods to cope with Fe deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of Fe/nano Fe and humic/fulvic acid-based biostimulant foliar applications on the Fe content and plant growth parameters of spinach. Treatment solutions were prepared either by mixing a common Fe fertilizer, FeSO4·7H2O, with different commercial biostimulants (Fulvic-based: Fulvagra®, Fulvagra®WSG; Humic-based: HS300®, Humin Fe® and Liqhumus®, Grevenbroich, Germany) or by mixing nano ferrihydrite with different ratios of fulvic substance (FA-50, FA-75, and FA-100) and humic acid (Nano Iron). Growth parameters (plant fresh and dry weights, plant dry matter, root fresh and dry weights, root dry matter, leaf number per plant, and leaf area); chlorophyll reading value (SPAD); chlorophyll (a,b, and total) and carotenoid contents; and leaf and root mineral contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Mn, Zn, B, active Fe, and total Fe) of samples were determined. Our results showed that foliar application of biostimulants together with Fe sources improved the nutrient uptake, chlorophyll contents, growth characteristics, and yield; however, not all humic substances had the same effect. When all parameters were considered, Fulvagra treatment—which contained 17% fulvic acid and microorganisms in its content together with 20 mM FeSO4·7H2O—was the most effective application, followed by FA100 treatment containing fulvic acid and 20 mM nano ferrihydrite. This finding indicates that fulvic acid containing biostimulants is more effective in foliar applications than humic-based biostimulants against Fe deficiency due to their low molecular weight which enables better penetration into the leaves. In conclusion, foliar applications of fulvic substances together with Fe fertilizers can be used to increase the Fe uptake of crops and the yields under Fe-deficient conditions.

Effect of Long-term Straw Returning on the Mineralization and Priming Effect of Rice Root-carbon

Long-term straw returning to the field changes the environmental conditions of rice paddy soil, which affects the mineralization and priming effect of residual rice roots in the soil, but the direction and intensity of its influence is not clear. Therefore, based on a long-term fertilization field experiment, 13C-CO2 isotopic labeling technology and laboratorial incubation were used to analyze the characteristics of mineralization of rice roots and native soil organic carbon, the intensity and direction of the priming effect, and the source partitioning of CO2 emissions in three treatments, consisting of no fertilization (CK), chemical fertilizer (CF), and straw returning with chemical fertilizer (CFS). The results showed that after 120 days of flooding incubation, the root residue (R) increased the cumulative CO2 emissions by 617.41-726.27 mg·kg-1. The cumulative CO2 emissions from roots and root mineralized proportions in the CFS+R and CF+R treatments were 470.82 and 444.04 mg·kg-1, respectively, and 18.8% and 17.8%, respectively. These were significantly higher than those in the CK+R treatment (384.19 mg·kg-1, 15.4%). There was no significant difference in the cumulative CO2 emissions from native soil organic carbon among the three treatments. However, the mineralized proportion of native soil organic carbon in the CFS+R treatment (4.2%) was significantly lower than that in the CF+R and CK+R treatments (5.4% and 5.8%). The priming effect in the CFS+R treatment was 29.6%, which was significantly lower than that in the CK+R treatment (42.5%) and higher than that in the CF+R treatment (14.4%). A total of 23.47% to 27.59% of the cumulative CO2 emission of the flooded paddy soil was from the roots, and the remainder was from the soil. In addition, the proportion of CO2 emission caused by the priming effect was smaller in the CFS+R treatment than that in the CK+R treatment and larger than that in the CF+R treatment. In summary, the long-term straw returning in the flooded paddy soil will increase the mineralization potential of rice roots, but it is more conducive to the stability of the native soil organic carbon.

Datasets on the variations of minerals in biofortified cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) as a function of storage root portion, maturity and environment.

Background: The accurate measurements of the mineral content of cassava roots are vital from a nutritional perspective. The research datasets were from the study assessing the influence of storage root portion, maturity, and environment on the variations of minerals in biofortified cassava roots. Methods: Twenty-five biofortified clones with three varieties as checks were harvested 12 months after planting from five different environments. Also, a different thirty-nine (39) biofortified cassava clones from the unlimited yield trials (UYTs) that included five (5) white-fleshed varieties (as control) were harvested at the age of 9 and 12 months after planting. In addition, two different methods of sample preparations were employed, using a cork borer and without a cork borer. The samples' elemental (minerals) analysis was determined using a standard laboratory method. Results and conclusion: The breeders could use the data in their biofortification cassava programs to know the distribution of minerals in the roots and identify the best promising pipelines. Also, the data could be used by food scientists and nutritionists to understand the parts of the roots with optimum minerals to design their processing protocols and to know those genotypes specific to different environments that could be used for various nutrition intervention programs.

Toxicity analysis of TNT to alfalfa's mineral nutrition and secondary metabolism.

Alfalfa has the ability to degrade TNT. TNT exposure caused root disruption of mineral nutrient metabolism. The exposure of TNT imbalanced basal cell energy metabolism. The mechanism of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) toxicity effects was analyzed in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seedlings by examining the mineral nutrition and secondary metabolism of the plant roots. Exposure to 25-100mg·L-1 TNT in a hydroponic solution for 72h resulted in a TNT absorption rate of 26.8-63.0%. The contents of S, K, and B in root mineral nutrition metabolism increased significantly by 1.70-5.46 times, 1.38-4.01 times, and 1.40-4.03 times, respectively, after TNT exposure. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis of the roots identified 189 significantly upregulated metabolites and 420 significantly downregulated metabolites. The altered metabolites were primarily lipids and lipid-like molecules, and the most significant enrichment pathways were alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism. TNT itself was transformed in the root system into several intermediate products, including 4-hydroxylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2-hydroxylamino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4',6,6'-tetranitro-2',4-azoxytoluene, 4,4',6,6'-tetranitro-2,2'-azoxytoluene, and 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Overall, TNT exposure disturbed the mineral metabolism balance, and significantly interfered with basic plant metabolism.