Silicon Compensates Phosphorus Deficit-Induced Growth Inhibition by Improving Photosynthetic Capacity, Antioxidant Potential, and Nutrient Homeostasis in Tomato

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in soils is a major problem for sustainable crop production worldwide. Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element that can promote plant growth, development and responses to stresses. However, the effect of Si on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth, photosynthesis and mineral uptake under P deficit conditions and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we showed that low P (LP) supply inhibited tomato growth as revealed by significantly decreased fresh and dry weights of shoots and impaired root morphological traits. LP-induced growth inhibition was associated with decreased photosynthetic pigment content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and water use efficiency. However, exogenous Si application alleviated LP-induced decreases in growth and physiological parameters. In particular, Si increased Pn by 65.2%, leading to a significantly increased biomass accumulation. Biochemical quantification and in situ visualization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) showed increased ROS (O2−· and H2O2) accumulation under LP stress, which eventually elevated lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, exogenous Si decreased ROS and malondialdehyde levels by substantially increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase. In addition, Si increased concentrations of osmoregulatory substances, such as proline, soluble sugar, soluble proteins, free amino acids, and organic acids under LP stress. Analysis of major element concentrations revealed that exogenous Si application under LP stress not only increased Si uptake but also enhanced the concentrations of most essential elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn) in different tissues (roots, leaves, and stems). These results reveal that Si mitigates LP stress by improving photosynthetic capacity, antioxidant potential, and nutrient homeostasis and that it can be used for agronomic management of vegetable crops in P-deficient soils.

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Phosphorus as a mitigator of the effects of water stress on the growth and photosynthetic capacity of tropical C4 grasses

Acta Scientiarum Agronomy ◽

10.4025/actasciagron.v38i3.28454 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 363 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Frank Akiyoshi Kuwahara ◽

Gustavo Maia Souza ◽

Kezia Aparecida Guidorizi ◽

Ciniro Costa ◽

Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Crop Production ◽

Photosynthetic Capacity ◽

Panicum Maximum ◽

P Deficiency ◽

Tropical Grasses ◽

Tropical Forage ◽

Productive Potential ◽

Urochloa Decumbens ◽

Urochloa Brizantha

Water deficiency during the dry seasons influences the relationship between water and gas exchange in tropical grasses, reducing their productive potential. In addition, the phosphorus (P) deficiency Brazilian soils adds to the set of factors limiting crop production. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of different tropical forage species to phosphorus supplementation as mitigating the damage caused by water stress. Seeds of Urochloa brizantha cv. MG-4, Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, Panicum maximum cv. Áries, Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia and Paspalum atratum cv. Pojuca were germinated in pots containing 10 liters of red-yellow Acrisol type soil. Experiments were conducted by combining levels of phosphorus, 8,0 and 100,0 mg of P dm-3, with two irrigation regimes, 100 and 40% replacement of transpired water. The biometric parameters, photosynthetic capacity, leaf water potential and soil chemical characteristics were evaluated, and the data was submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA, p < 0.05), and subsequently the means were compared using a Tukey test (p < 0.05). The results showed for tropical grasses grown under water stress, there is a clear mitigating effect of phosphorus supplementation, especially on the maintenance of biomass growth.

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Bok Choy, an Asian Leafy Green Vegetable Emerging in Florida

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-hs1337-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 (6) ◽

pp. 5

Author(s):

Hai Liu ◽

Guodong Liu

Keyword(s):

Graduate Students ◽

Crop Production ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Extension Agents ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Green Vegetable ◽

General Overview

Asian vegetable crops are rapidly expanding in Florida in the last decade due to their health benefits combined with their high profitability. These crops can help increase vegetable growers’ income and diversify Florida’s crop production, and they are new to most Floridians. This new 5-page article provides a general overview of bok choy for vegetable growers, crop consultants, certified crop advisors, Extension agents, and graduate students. Written by Hai Liu and Guodong Liu and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1337

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Silicon dioxide nanofertilizers improve photosynthetic capacity of two Criollo cocoa clones (Theobroma cacao L.)

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479721000065 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Pedro Gómez-Vera ◽

Héctor Blanco-Flores ◽

Ana Marta Francisco ◽

Jimmy Castillo ◽

Wilmer Tezara

Keyword(s):

Silicon Dioxide ◽

Physiological Response ◽

Photosynthetic Capacity ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Photosynthetic Pigment ◽

Photochemical Activity ◽

Total Soluble Protein ◽

Nutrient Contents ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Positive Effect

Summary Studies on the effect of nanofertilizers (NF) in physiological performance of plants is scarce, especially that related to substances encapsulated into silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles in cocoa plants. The effect of foliar application of SiO2-NF on nutrient contents, gas exchange, photochemical activity, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein (TSP), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), and growth in seedlings of two cocoa clones (OC-61 and BR-05) in a greenhouse was assessed. Spraying with SiO2-NF increased net photosynthetic rate (A) by 16 and 60% and electron transport rate (J) by 52 and 162% in clones OC-61 and BR-05, respectively, without changes in photosynthetic pigment concentration in either clone. The SiO2-NF caused a decrease of 37 and 22% in stomatal conductance in OC-61 and BR-05, respectively; a similar trend was observed in transpiration rate, causing an increase of 42 and 100% in water use efficiency in OC-61 and BR-05, respectively. In both clones, diameter of graft increased on average 28% with SiO2-NF. Higher photosynthetic capacity was related to an increase in leaf N, P, and TSP. A significant reduction in PNUE (A/N ratio) was found in OC-61, whereas in BR-05 PNUE increased after spraying with SiO2-NF. Overall, spraying with SiO2-NF had a positive effect on photosynthetic processes in both cocoa clones, associated with an increase in nutrients content, which translated into improved growth. A differential physiological response to spraying with SiO2-NF between clones was also found, with BR-05 being the clone with a better physiological response during the establishment and development stages.

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Food Phosphorus Flows in a Low-Income, Food- and Phosphorus-Deficient Country

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9050212 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 212 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thabiti Soudjay Kamal ◽

Yunfeng Huang ◽

Chulong Huang ◽

Su Xu ◽

Gao Bing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Crop Production ◽

Flow Analysis ◽

Animal Manure ◽

Small Island ◽

Human Consumption ◽

P Deficiency ◽

Soil P ◽

Island State ◽

Total P

We present a quantitative analysis of phosphorus (P) flows that characterize the food production-consumption system metabolism in a low-income, food, and phosphorus deficient country, using Comoros, a small African island state, as an example from the year 2000 to 2011. The data were interpreted in terms of the connections between crop production, livestock breeding, human consumption, and soil stock, using the substance flow analysis (SFA) model. We found that the total P input into Comoros totaled 132.37 t in 2000 and 270.60 t in 2011, whereas the total P output totaled 567.40 t in 2000 and 702.29 t in 2011. Farmers in Comoros are cropping with little or no P input, resulting in a soil P deficiency; it varied from 435.03 t in 2000 to 431.69 t in 2011. In addition, the Phosphorus Use Efficiencies (PUEs) of plant and animal production in Comoros were 131.80% and 14%, respectively, in 2011. This is the first SFA of a small island state, and the lack of a closed P loop is a major issue for the country in terms of P security and this has not changed between 2000 and 2011. This study proposes crucial solutions for improving the PUE through recycling and reusing animal manure, human excreta, and household solid organic waste.

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Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Emerging as an Effective Bioinoculant to Improve the Growth, Production and Stress Tolerance of Vegetable Crops

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms222212245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (22) ◽

pp. 12245

Author(s):

Manoj Kumar ◽

Ved Prakash Giri ◽

Shipra Pandey ◽

Anmol Gupta ◽

Manish Kumar Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Crop Production ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Vegetable Crop ◽

Plant Growth Promoting ◽

Growth Promoting

Vegetable cultivation is a promising economic activity, and vegetable consumption is important for human health due to the high nutritional content of vegetables. Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and several phytochemical compounds. However, the production of vegetables is insufficient to meet the demand of the ever-increasing population. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) facilitate the growth and production of vegetable crops by acquiring nutrients, producing phytohormones, and protecting them from various detrimental effects. In this review, we highlight well-developed and cutting-edge findings focusing on the role of a PGPR-based bioinoculant formulation in enhancing vegetable crop production. We also discuss the role of PGPR in promoting vegetable crop growth and resisting the adverse effects arising from various abiotic (drought, salinity, heat, heavy metals) and biotic (fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and insect pests) stresses.

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Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Phosphate–Solubilizing Bacteria, and Silicon to P Uptake by Plant

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.699618 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Hassan Etesami ◽

Byoung Ryong Jeong ◽

Bernard R. Glick

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Crop Production ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

P Availability ◽

Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria ◽

P Deficiency ◽

Phosphate Solubilizing ◽

P Fertilizers

Phosphorus (P) availability is usually low in soils around the globe. Most soils have a deficiency of available P; if they are not fertilized, they will not be able to satisfy the P requirement of plants. P fertilization is generally recommended to manage soil P deficiency; however, the low efficacy of P fertilizers in acidic and in calcareous soils restricts P availability. Moreover, the overuse of P fertilizers is a cause of significant environmental concerns. However, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), phosphate–solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and the addition of silicon (Si) are effective and economical ways to improve the availability and efficacy of P. In this review the contributions of Si, PSB, and AMF in improving the P availability is discussed. Based on what is known about them, the combined strategy of using Si along with AMF and PSB may be highly useful in improving the P availability and as a result, its uptake by plants compared to using either of them alone. A better understanding how the two microorganism groups and Si interact is crucial to preserving soil fertility and improving the economic and environmental sustainability of crop production in P deficient soils. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge concerning the interactions among AMF, PSB, and Si in enhancing P availability and its uptake by plants in sustainable agriculture.

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A Composite Analysis of Flowering Time Regulation in Lettuce

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.632708 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Rongkui Han ◽

Maria José Truco ◽

Dean O. Lavelle ◽

Richard W. Michelmore

Keyword(s):

Flowering Time ◽

Crop Production ◽

Phenotypic Diversity ◽

Model Organism ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Molecular Studies ◽

Functional Inference ◽

Delayed Flowering

Plants undergo profound physiological changes when transitioning from vegetative to reproductive growth. These changes affect crop production, as in the case of leafy vegetables. Lettuce is one of the most valuable leafy vegetable crops in the world. Past genetic studies have identified multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that affect the timing of the floral transition in lettuce. Extensive functional molecular studies in the model organism Arabidopsis provide the opportunity to transfer knowledge to lettuce to explore the mechanisms through which genetic variations translate into changes in flowering time. In this review, we integrated results from past genetic and molecular studies for flowering time in lettuce with orthology and functional inference from Arabidopsis. This summarizes the basis for all known genetic variation underlying the phenotypic diversity of flowering time in lettuce and how the genetics of flowering time in lettuce projects onto the established pathways controlling flowering time in plants. This comprehensive overview reveals patterns across experiments as well as areas in need of further study. Our review also represents a resource for developing cultivars with delayed flowering time.

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Trends of development of agricultural enterprises specializing in plant production in Ukraine

Economics. Finances. Law ◽

10.37634/efp.2020.12(1).5 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 24-27

Author(s):

Maryna POLENKOVA

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Regional Distribution ◽

Plant Production ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Sugar Beets ◽

Agricultural Enterprises ◽

Agricultural Potential ◽

Berry Crops ◽

Taxonomic Groups

The paper defines the structural distribution of sown area of crops. The dynamics of production of cereals and legumes, sugar beets, sunflowers, potatoes, vegetables, fruits and berries. The clustering of regions of Ukraine under similar conditions of development of the enterprises of the agricultural sector specializing in crop production is carried out. According to the results of the analysis, 3 clusters were identified, which gave rise to the possibility of forming (developing) joint effective organizational and economic mechanisms to enhance the development of crop enterprises, favorable for implementation within the cluster. In the course of this study, we focus on the development trends of enterprises specializing in crop products. The lion's share (54.7 %) of sown areas falls on cereals and legumes. Technical crops occupy, which is 32.6 %, and potatoes, vegetables and melons – 6.5 %. It is important to note the long-term positive dynamics of production of cereals and legumes and the growth of production can be traced to all categories of farms – in farms and households. The production of sunflower and vegetable crops was also marked by positive dynamics. The decrease was observed in the production of sugar beets, potatoes, fruit and berry crops. In the context of the study, it is important to identify similar conditions (environment, resources, etc.) for the development of agricultural enterprises between the regions of Ukraine. For this purpose, multifactor statistical analysis (cluster analysis) of key factors of their development was used on the basis of a matrix of 25 selected indicators of development of enterprises specializing in crop production in all regions (600 indicators). To enhance the objectivity of the results, the analysis was conducted in 2010, 2015 and 2019. According to the results of the analysis, taxonomic groups (clusters) were singled out, which made it possible to single out similar regional conditions within each group. Since 2010, there have been significant changes in the regional distribution of Ukraine's agricultural potential. However, during 2015–2019 there is a relative stability in terms of resource provision and use within specific clusters. According to the results of the analysis, three clusters are distinguished: I. Volyn, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Rivne, Chernivtsi, as well as Donetsk and Luhansk regions. II. Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Ternopil, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytsky regions. III. Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy and Chernihiv regions.

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A Linear Optimization Approach for Increasing Sustainability in Vegetable Crop Production

Computational Methods for Agricultural Research ◽

10.4018/978-1-61692-871-1.ch012 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 234-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lana dos Santos ◽

Marcos Arenales ◽

Alysson Costa ◽

Ricardo Santos

Keyword(s):

Crop Rotation ◽

Crop Production ◽

Optimization Problems ◽

Linear Optimization ◽

Future Research ◽

Optimization Approach ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Vegetable Crop ◽

Modeling Framework ◽

Ecological Criteria

This chapter is concerned with a set of optimization problems associated to crop rotation scheduling in the context of vegetable crop production according to some ecological criteria: no crop of the same botanic family is planted in sequence, green manure and fallow periods must be present in any schedule. A core mathematical model called the crop rotation scheduling model is proposed to represent these ecological criteria together with specific technical constraints associated to the growing of vegetable crops. Three optimization problems based on crop rotation schedules are written in detail in this chapter. For each problem, the authors present a general modeling framework and a solution methodology based on a technique known as column generation, which iteratively builds crop rotation plans for a number of plots. Some extensions are also presented, with the aim of incorporating additional characteristics found in production field conditions. This chapter ends with a brief discussion on a set of computational experiments and some suggestions for future research.

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Brassinosteroids Regulate Antioxidant System and Protect Chloroplast Ultrastructure of Autotoxicity-Stressed Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Seedlings

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9050265 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 265 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ping Yang ◽

Muhammad Azher Nawaz ◽

Fuxin Li ◽

Lisha Bai ◽

Jie Li

Keyword(s):

Net Photosynthetic Rate ◽

Chlorophyll Content ◽

Photosynthetic Rate ◽

Soluble Sugar ◽

Chloroplast Ultrastructure ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Antioxidant Defense System ◽

Stress Conditions ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Cucumis Sativus L

Autotoxicity is a common problem being faced in protected vegetable cultivation system. Phytoremediation of plant autotoxicity is an emerging concept to minimize deterioration of soil environment and reduction of yield and quality of vegetable crops. Brassinosteroids (BRs) have been reported as a potential phytohormone to assist phytoremediation. However, the effects of BRs-induced autotoxicity stress on plant growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system are poorly understood. Hence, we focused on the changes in physiological characteristics and ultrastructure of cucumber leaves in response to the application of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) under autotoxicity stress conditions. The results showed that leaf area, plant height, fresh weight and dry weight of cucumber were obviously decreased under autotoxicity stress conditions. EBR application obviously improved the phenotypic characteristics of cucumber seedlings. Chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of cucumber leaves were markedly reduced under autotoxicity stress conditions. Application of EBR improved the photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a by 15.80%, chlorophyll b by 18.70% and total chlorophyll content by 17.30%), net photosynthetic rate by 36.40% and stomatal opening of leaves under autotoxicity stress conditions. EBR application also maintained the integrity of chloroplast and thylakoid structures under autotoxicity stress conditions. The activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and antioxidative compounds ascorbate (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were markedly decreased, however, these were obviously increased after EBR application under autotoxicity stress. EBR application also increased the soluble sugar and protein, and proline concentration by 59.70%, 7.22% and 36.58%, respectively in the leaves of cucumber, decreased malondialdehyde by 24.13% and reactive oxygen species contents (H2O2 by 35.17%, O2− by 12.01% and •OH by 16.59%), and reduced the relative permeability of the cell membrane by 14.31%. These findings suggest that EBR application enhanced the photosynthetic capacity of leaves, maintained the integrity of chloroplast and thylakoid structures, and effectively alleviated the damage of membrane caused by lipid peroxidation and root damage under autotoxicity stress conditions. The growth inhibition effect of autotoxicity stress on cucumber was reduced by EBR application.

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