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Interactions of mineral elements in crops strongly affect their nutritional value and the yield. Within the context of ruminants feeding, ensuring Cu:Mo molar ratio in the range from 2:1 up to 20:1 has been considered. In this work, the impact of different Cu and Mo concentrations applied in nutrient solution of hydroponically grown Helianthus annuus was evaluated in terms of the seedlings growth and the status of Cu, Mo, Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, K, Na. Nine groups of plants were obtained using concentration range 0.1–10 μmol L−1 for Cu and 0.1–50 μmol L−1 for Mo. Biomass in each treatment was assessed and eight elements were determined in roots and in aerial parts by microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). Several synergic and antagonistic interactions of Cu and/or Mo with other six mineral nutrients during uptake and root-to-shoot transport were observed. Regarding the feasibility of tuning Cu and Mo in medium to meet ruminants requirements, each of eight treatments was compared against control plants that were obtained using typical Cu and Mo concentrations in medium (0.44 and 0.70 μmol L−1, respectively). For ten-fold increased Cu concentration in medium (treatment 6), the most favorable Cu:Mo ratio was afforded (8.8:1 in roots and 17:1 in aerial parts) when compared with the control plants (1.8:1 and 20:1, respectively). Further, the concentrations of both elements in aerial parts were within ranges reported for forage; seedlings growth was not affected and concentrations of six other elements were practically unchanged when compared with controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of the nutritional stress caused by macronutrient and boron deficiencies on the biosynthesis of capsaicinoids and the mineral nutrient contents of dry Capsicum annuum fruits. The experiments were carried out in a shade house at Campos dos Goytacazes/RJ, Brazil, in sand fertigated with a nutrient solution, in randomized blocks applying an 8x2 bifactorial scheme, with eight treatments [Complete treatment and applying the element omission technique for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S) and boron (B)], and two fruit harvesting dates, with four replications. Pepper fruits produced under potassium deficiency displayed increased capsaicin contents, whereas sulfur deficiency decreased capsaicin contents. Capsaicin contents were different depending on the harvesting dates, ranging from 0.369 to 1.224 mg g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental study conducted to feature the visual symptoms of macronutrient and boron deficiency and to assess the effect of nutrient omission on C. citratus growth. The study followed a completely randomized block design with eight treatments (-N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, -S, -B, and Complete Solution) and four replicates. Deficiency symptoms, plant height, number of tillers, total number of leaves, total leaf area, leaf dry matter, total dry matter, as well as macronutrient and boron content in the leaves were featured. The chronological sequence of symptoms seen in the leaves was N, Mg, K, S, P, and Ca; visual symptom of boron deficiency was not observed. Boron content in young and old leaves was 20% and 60% lower than in plants subjected to the complete treatment, respectively. The number of tillers and leaves, leaf area, leaf dry matter, and total dry matter reduced by 50% due to N deficiency. Treatments with -K, -Ca, -Mg, and -S reduced plant height. Boron deficiency until 79 days did not affect plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe macronutrient and boron deficiencies in pepper grown in a hydroponic system in the presence of a substrate during the vegetative and fruiting phases. The experiments were carried out into a greenhouse, and consisted of a randomized block design with eight treatments: complete solution (control) and nitrogen (-N), phosphorus (-P), potassium (-K), calcium (-Ca), magnesium (-Mg), sulfur (-S) and boron (-B) deficient solutions, with four repetitions for each assay. Visual diagnoses of certain macronutrient and boron deficiencies can be applied by farmers to aid in soil management, since they are observed in leaves, while N, P, Ca, S and B deficiencies led to roots symptoms. Pepper fruits showed nutritional deficiency symptoms when grown under N, K, Ca, Mg, S and B deficits. The appearance of nutrient deficiency symptoms in pepper plants occurs in the following order: N, K, P, Mg, S, Ca and B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal changes of nutrient concentration in leaves and their accumulation in fruit are good indicators of plant nutrient demand for each developmental stage. Seasonality of nutrients in leaves and fruits of pomegranate and their relation with fruit quality was evaluated in commercial orchards using cv. “Bhagwa.” The concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) in leaves decreased while calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) concentration increased during fruit growth and development. Total nutrient accumulation increased gradually in fruit and translated into growth of arils, and increase in juice content and total soluble solids, however as the biomass accumulation in fruit was much faster than nutrient accumulation, concentration of majority nutrients except Mg decreased rapidly, followed by slow and continuous decrease till maturity. During fruit enlargement, demand for N, P, K, Fe, Cu and Zn was high while requirement for Ca, Mg and S was high during fruit development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study, interactions of nickel sulfate and urea sprays on vegetative growth, yield and leaf mineral contents in strawberry were investigated. Rooted Pajaro strawberry plants were potted in 3 liter pots filled with soil, leaf mold and sand (1:1:1, v/v/v). Established plants were foliar sprayed with nickel sulfate at 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg L−1and urea 0 and 2 g L−1concentrations. Results indicated that nickel (Ni; 300 mg L−1) plus urea (2 g L−1) significantly increased the yield and runner numbers. Nickel sulfate at the rate of 300 and 150 mg L−1and urea (2 g L−1) significantly increased the crown numbers. The greatest root fresh and dry weights were obtained from untreated plants. Urea at 2 g L−1without nickel significantly increased shoot fresh and dry weights. Nickel at 450 mg L−1without urea significantly increased Ni concentration in leaves. Overall, nickel sulfate at 150 and 300 mg L−1along with urea at 2 g L−1were the best treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of the present work was to evaluate effects of zinc application on growth and uptake and distribution of mineral nutrients under salinity stress [0, 33, 66, and 99 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] in soybean plants. Results showed that, salinity levels caused a significant decrease in shoot dry and fresh weight in non-zinc application plants. Whereas, zinc application on plants exposed to salinity stress improved the shoot dry and fresh weight. Potassium (K) concentration, K/sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca)/Na ratios significantly decreased, while sodium (Na) concentration increased in root, shoot, and seed as soil salinity increased. Phosphorus (P) concentration significantly decreased in shoot under salinity stress. Moreover, calcium (Ca) significantly decreased in root, but increased in seed with increased salinization. Iron (Fe) concentration significantly decreased in all organs of plant (root, shoot, and seed) in response to salinity levels. Zinc (Zn) concentration of plant was not significantly affected by salinity stress. Copper (Cu) concentration significantly decreased by salinity in root. Nonetheless, manganese (Mn) concentration of root, shoot, and seed was not affected by experimental treatments. Zinc application increased Ca/Na (shoot and seed) ratio and K (shoot and seed), P (shoot), Ca (root and seed), Zn (root, shoot, and seed) and Fe (root and shoot) concentration in soybean plants under salinity stress. Zinc application decreased Na concentration in shoot tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solution culture experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with two cacao genotypes (Catongo and Theobahia). Plants were subjected to seven aluminum (Al) concentrations and Al effects on growth, photosynthesis, and mineral content were assessed. Inter-genotypic differences for Fo,Fmand Fvfluorescences, as well as for Fv/Fm, were observed with increasing Al concentrations. There was a decreasing of Fo, Fm, Fvand Fv/Fmfor the Catongo. Increasing Al concentration decreased photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and leaf transpiration rate, however, inter-genotypic differences in these parameters were not observed. The Al-treatments decreased content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in different plant parts, with the exception of K content in stems of Theobahia and in leaves of both genotypes. Theobahia showed higher tolerance to Al phytotoxicity, manifested mainly in the higher levels of Al in the growth medium. Inter-genotypic differences were observed in the growth and mineral nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present investigation was carried out during 2004–2006 on 15-year-old ‘Dashehari' mango (Mangifera indicaL.) trees to establish a relationship between growth, leaf nutrient content, fruit yield, and quality attributes. Four districts of Himachal Pradesh namely, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur were selected according to multistage sampling scheme. Based on yield performance, an optimum sample size of 20 trees from each orchard was comprised of 10 trees of two categories: high productivity (>90 kg tree−1) and low productivity (<90 kg tree−1) were selected using the probability proportional to size sampling scheme. Both high as well as low productive orchards were analyzed for soil and leaf chemical properties. Simple linear correlation and multiple regression analyses were also worked out between all possible combinations. The contribution of leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) on growth, fruit yield and physical-biochemical quality characteristics by fitting step-wise regression analysis was studied. Multiple regression analyses indicated variability in fruit yield due to leaf nutrient contents and tree volume to the extent of 66–73% and 35–68% in high and low productive orchards, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodine is vital to human health, and iodine bio-fortification programs help improve the human intake through plant consumption. Essential processes in plants that can be altered by iodine bio-fortification include the nutritional state of plants. The main objective of this work was to determine whether mineral nutrient concentrations were affected by the application of different forms (iodide [I−] vs. iodate [IO3 −]) and dosages (0, 20, 40, and 80 μM) of iodine, to ascertain the influence of this trace element in Lactuca sativa var. longifolia plants. The application of 80 μM of I− significantly reduced the nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to below the optimal ranges established for this crop. The IO3 − treatments represented optimal maintenance of the nutritional state for most of the nutrients and even an improvement of nutrients as important as magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine whether foliarly applied potassium + phosphorus (K + P) in the form of monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4) could mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress on sunflower plants. There were two levels of root-applied salt [0 and 150 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl)], and varying levels of KH2PO4 [(NS (no spray), WS (spray of water), 5 + 4, 10 + 8, 15 + 12, and 20 + 16 mg g-1 K + P, pH 6.5] applied foliarly to 18-day old non-stressed and salt stressed sunflower plants. Salt stress adversely affected the growth, yield, photosynthetic capacity, and accumulation of mineral nutrients in the sunflower plants. However, varying levels of foliar applied KH2PO4 proved to be effective in improving growth and yield of sunflower under salt stress. The KH2PO4 induced growth in sunflower was found to be associated with enhanced photosynthetic capacity, water use efficiency and relative water contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth stage effects on distribution of mineral nutrients or beneficial elements phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chloride (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), silicon (Si) and nickel (Ni), and the elements bromine (Br), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and uranium (U) in two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars and how the distribution of these elements changed were determined during the 2006-2007 growing season in a field experiment. Barley plants were sampled from the field at shooting, heading, soft dough, hard dough and harvest stages, and mineral nutrients and other elements concentrations of spike, flag leaf, old leaf, and stem samples were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Distribution patterns varied considerably from element to element. At the end of the season much of the Ca, Mg, S, Si, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Sr, Ba, La, Ce, and U were located in the spikes. However, much of the P, K, Zn, Cl, Na, Br, and Rb remained in the old leaves or stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different pre-harvest calcium treatments and their interrelation with other nutrients in apples (Malus domestica Borkh, 'Golden Smoothee') on quality attributes at harvest and after cold storage and on relation between calcium (Ca) and other nutrients were investigated. Calcium sprays were applied during three-seasons beginning 60 days after full bloom (DAFB), with 6 or 12 applications in the second part of the growing season. It was confirmed that calcium treatments generally resulted in increased flesh firmness at harvest but not sufficient to maintain during storage. Treatments reduced bitter pit and lenticel blotch pit after cold storage, but these disorders were not totally eliminated. The treatments did not influence evolution of titratable acidity and soluble solids. Total fruit calcium increased with number of applications, but this increase was not proportional with number of applications. The beneficial effect of calcium treatments was reflected in the nitrogen/Calcium (N/Ca), potassium/calcium (K/Ca), and (K+Mg)/Ca ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this investigation was to determine nutritional and performance quality indices of greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.) in relationship with fruit nutrient concentrations. Fruit firmness showed a positive correlation with fruit calcium (Ca) concentration (r = 0.66; P < 0.01). Ascorbic acid and citric acid concentrations in the fruit were positively influenced by potassium (K) concentration. There was a negative correlation between the fruit pH and phosphorus (P) concentration (r = -0.54; P < 0.01). The greenish color intensity (-a) of the fruit skin was positively correlated (r = 0.58; P < 0.01) to the magnesium (Mg) concentration. On the other hand, the basic tint of color (H) was lower in the fruits with higher K concentration. The mean nitrate concentration in the greenhouse cucumber was about 2.5 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard limit that shows high potential health risks. Potassium was the most important effective element on cucumber quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of increasing sodium chloride (NaCl; 0 to 300 mM) stress was investigated on plant growth, mineral nutrients, and proline accumulation in two indica rice cultivars differing in salt tolerance. The shoots and roots of 'Karjat-3' (salt sensitive cv.) showed greater reduction in fresh weight, dry weight, and water content under increasing salinity stress when compared to 'Panvel-3' (salt tolerant cv.). The magnitude of chloride (Cl) accumulation with increasing salinity varied between cultivars, with lesser accumulation in 'Panvel-3', whereas, calcium (Ca) content was more in 'Panvel-3' than 'Karjat-3' at all salinity levels. Increase in shoot-sodium (Na) did not show notable variation between cultivars under salinity stress; however, Na accumulation was notably lower in roots of 'Panvel-3' than 'Karjat-3'. Under increasing salinity stress, 'Panvel-3' maintained significantly lower sodium/potassium, sodium/calcium and sodium/nitrogen ratios than 'Karjat-3', both in shoots and roots, with more differential response in roots. Regardless of treatment, proline concentration was considerably higher in 'Panvel-3' than in 'Karjat-3'. The salt tolerance of cv. 'Panvel-3' was positively correlated with better growth, higher proline accumulation and enhanced uptakes of beneficial minerals such as potassium (K) and Ca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this greenhouse study was to investigate the distribution of some ions in four olive cultivars, (Olea europaea L., cvs. 'Zard', 'Conservolea', 'Manzanila', and 'Mission') under saline conditions. One-year old olive seedlings were planted in the plastic pots contained 1:1 sand: perlite medium and irrigated with one-half strength Hoagland's No. 1 nutrient solution. A completely randomized design with factorially arranged treatments and four replications was used. Four salinity treatments [0, 40, 80, and 120 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] were used during 100 days. At harvest, shoot and root dry matter yield as well as concentration of mineral nutrients was separately determined in root, apical and basal leaves. There was significant (P < 0.05) difference among cultivars in concentration, uptake, and relative translocation of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and potassium (K) in different plant tissues. 'Conservolea' cultivar had the highest Na and Cl and the lowest K concentration in apical and basal leaves. In all cultivars, with increasing salinity, the tissue concentration of Na and Cl increased while the K concentration decreased. The results showed that under saline conditions, the distribution of mineral nutrients in olive depends on both plant cultivar and the ion of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woody cuttings from two Salix genotypes (genotype I - clone LUC-31, Salix alba and genotype II- clone STOTT, Salix viminalis) were grown hydroponically for 14 days at increasing concentrations of Zn: control, 50, 100 or 150 μ M Zn. Genotype tolerance to excess zinc (Zn) was evaluated using a root elongation test. The changes in growth, Zn, iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) concentrations as well as photosynthetic performance were used as additional evaluation criteria. Photosynthetic pigments concentrations in Zn-exposed cuttings of genotype II decreased as compared with genotype I, which corresponded well with the higher leaf Zn accumulation, decreased Fe concentrations as well as lowered photosynthetic rate. Based on the indicators used, genotype I (Salix alba) was classified as more tolerant to excess Zn than genotype II (Salix viminalis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Salix genotypes ( Salix alba , clone LUC-31—genotype I and Salix viminalis , clone STOTT—genotype II) were grown hydroponically for 14 d at increasing concentrations of cadmium (Cd) (0, 5, 10, and 15 μM) in order to study both Cd accumulation and genotype tolerance. Growth responses, photosynthetic performance, activities of metal-responsive enzymes, and changes in some nutrients content were used as evaluation criteria. The Genotype II assimilated more Cd (maximum leaf concentration 47.8± 2.9 mg Cd kg -1 DW) compared with the Genotype I and, based on both morphological (root length, total biomass) and metabolic indicators (photosynthetic performance, activities of metal-responsive enzymes, changes in several nutrients), was classified as less tolerant to this heavy metal. However, it is considered to be more suitable for Cd phytoextraction, as it would compensate for its somewhat lower tolerance with its higher Cd accumulation, as well as its higher productivity under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out in a drip-irrigated orchard of Clementine (Citrus clementina Ort. ex. Tan) grafted on Troyer citrange (C. sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata) rootstock located in the Valencian Citrus area (Spain). The trees received a single iron (Fe) EDDHA (ethylene diamine diorthohydroxyphenyl acetate) rate (3 g Fe tree−1) supplied in different application frequencies from April to September (8-, 4-, 2-, or 1-week intervals). Leaf chlorophyll (Chl) concentrations were estimated every month by using an SPAD-502 meter. The foliar contents of Fe were also evaluated with time. Mineral composition of leaves, total Chl concentration, yield, and fruit quality were also evaluated at the end of the assay. SPAD readings, Chl, N, K, Mg, Fe, and Mn concentration in leaves increased as a result of Fe application. The concentration of Zn, however, significantly decreased in comparison to the control trees. Iron treatment increased yield and some of the fruit quality parameters, like total juice, sugar, and acid contents. Iron application frequency had not a consistent effect on the concentrations of macro and micronutrients in leaves, yield, and fruit quality. The highest values of SPAD readings and the leaf Chl content were obtained when Fe was applied at 4-week intervals along the year. These results suggest that soil Fe-EDDHA application with a moderate frequency could be recommended to the Citrus farmers in the area for a more rational Fe application along the growth cycle in Citrus orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]