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Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2021) | Viewed by 28691

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Manuel Nieves-Cordones

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Guest Editor

Plant Nutrition Department, CEBAS‐CSIC, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: plant physiology; abiotic stress tolerance; plant biology roots; plant molecular biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Francisco Rubio

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Co-Guest Editor

Departamento de Nutrición Vegetal, CEBAS-CSIC, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: potassium; salinity; plants; plant biotechnology; plant physiology; Arabidopsis thaliana; plant environmental stress physiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agriculture is currently facing the challenge of producing enough food for a constantly growing world population under harsher environmental conditions. In particular, climate change will reduce the productivity of agriculture in approximately two-thirds of the world’s agricultural land in the next 30 years. Correct plant nutrition has often been shown to have a protective effect against environmental stresses, and additional nutrient inputs have notably increased some crop yields in recent decades. In other crops, additional nutrient supplies have had no effect or even a negative one on yield. It is of crucial importance to understand the relationship of improving certain nutrients for a given crop or genotype under stress conditions to design more efficient agronomic practices.

The present Special Issue focuses on the effects of manipulating macronutrient (potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, and sulfur) or micronutrient (boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc) supplies under single or combined environmental stresses (salinity, drought, waterlogging, high/low temperatures, high/low light, or acidic/alkaline soils) in crops. In addition, research on the role of microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and on innovative practices (for example, biostimulants or nanofertilization) in this topic is also welcome. A compilation of state-of-the-art research on this topic can be of great help to both academic and non-academic entities to improve the sustainability of agriculture.

Dr. Manuel Nieves-Cordones
Dr. Francisco Rubio
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nutrient
abiotic stress
yield
crop
microorganism
biostimulant
nanofertilizer
sustainable agriculture

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation Improves Capparis spinosa’s Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Photosynthetic Efficiency under Water Deficit

by Mohammed Bouskout, Mohammed Bourhia, Mohamed Najib Al Feddy, Hanane Dounas, Ahmad Mohammad Salamatullah, Walid Soufan, Hiba-Allah Nafidi and Lahcen Ouahmane

Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010149 - 08 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2913

Abstract

Agricultural yields are under constant jeopardy as climate change and abiotic pressures spread worldwide. Using rhizospheric microbes as biostimulants/biofertilizers is one of the best ways to improve agro-agriculture in the face of these things. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether a native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum (AMF-complex) might improve caper (Capparis spinosa) seedlings’ nutritional status, their morphological/growth performance and photosynthetic efficiency under water-deficit stress (WDS). Thus, caper plantlets inoculated with or without an AMF complex (+AMF and −AMF, respectively) were grown under three gradually increasing WDS regimes, i.e., 75, 50 and 25% of field capacity (FC). Overall, measurements of morphological traits, biomass production and nutrient uptake (particularly P, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Zn²⁺) showed that mycorrhizal fungi inoculation increased these variables significantly, notably in moderate and severe WDS conditions. The increased WDS levels reduced the photochemical efficiency indices (Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo) in −AMF plants, while AMF-complex application significantly augmented these parameters. Furthermore, the photosynthetic pigments content was substantially higher in +AMF seedlings than −AMF controls at all the WDS levels. Favorably, at 25% FC, AMF-colonized plants produce approximately twice as many carotenoids as non-colonized ones. In conclusion, AMF inoculation seems to be a powerful eco-engineering strategy for improving the caper seedling growth rate and drought tolerance in harsh environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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18 pages, 16005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Se Application on Polyamines and Carbon–Nitrogen Metabolism of Pepper Plants Suffering from Cd Toxicity

by Rafael Pérez-Millán, Marina Alfosea-Simón, Silvia Simón-Grao, José María Cámara-Zapata, Ernesto Alejandro Zavala-González, Almudena Aranda-Martinez, Muhammad Adnan Shahid and Francisco García-Sánchez

Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2535; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122535 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2182

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the application of selenium (Se) can efficiently mitigate the toxic effects of cadmium (Cd) on various crops. The objective of the present work is to decipher the mechanisms responsible for the efficiency of Se against the effects of Cd in pepper plants, with respect to the carbon and nitrogen metabolism. The following were analyzed: the concentrations of anions related with this metabolism, such as nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium, the activities of different enzymes such as nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamate synthase, polyamines in their different forms, organic acid salts, amino acids, and sugars in the leaf and root tissues of the pepper plants grown in a hydroponics system. Four different treatments were applied: plants without Cd or Se applied (−Cd/−Se); plants grown with Cd added to the nutrient solution (NS) but without Se (+Cd/−Se); plants grown with Cd in the NS, and with the foliar application of Se (+CD/+SeF); and lastly, plants grown with Cd in the NS, and with Se applied to the root (+Cd/+SeR). The metabolites and enzymes related with carbon and nitrogen metabolism were analyzed 15 days after the application. The results showed the superiority of the +Cd/+SeR treatment with respect to the +Cd/+SeF treatment, as shown by an increase in the conjugated polyamines, the decrease in glutamate and phenylalanine, and the increase of malate and chlorogenic acid. The results indicated that SeR decreased the accumulation and toxicity of Se as polyamine homeostasis improved, defense mechanisms such as the phenylpropanoid increased, and the entry of Cd into the plants was blocked. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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15 pages, 1046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Defensive Impact of Foliar Applied Potassium Nitrate on Growth Linked with Improved Physiological and Antioxidative Activities in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Hybrids Grown under Salinity Stress

by Anisa Aslam, Shahbaz Khan, Danish Ibrar, Sohail Irshad, Ali Bakhsh, Syed Tahir Raza Gardezi, Madad Ali, Zuhair Hasnain, Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi, Mehmood Ali Noor, Marian Brestic, Milan Skalicky and Ali Tan Kee Zuan

Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11102076 - 17 Oct 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2596

Abstract

Salt stress is recognized to negatively influence the fundamental processes in plants regarding growth and yield. The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is considered an important industrial crop because of the good quality of oil it produces that can be used for cooking purposes. The exogenous application of potassium (K) has been reported to enhance abiotic resistance and increase yield in crops. Here, we explored the impact of foliar-applied K at 500 ppm on the physiological and biochemical traits, antioxidant activities, and growth attributes of sunflower grown under salt stress (140 mM NaCl). The findings indicated that salinity stress adversely affected photosynthesis and various gas exchange characteristics. Foliar applied K markedly improved the stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, CO₂ assimilation rate, total soluble proteins, chlorophyll pigments, and upregulated antioxidant system, which are responsible for the healthy growth of sunflower hybrids grown under salinity stress. The shoot and root lengths, plant fresh and dry weights, and achene weight were significantly increased by K application. Overall, foliar applied K significantly improved all of the aforementioned attributes and can attenuate the deleterious influences of salinity stress in sunflower. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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14 pages, 1493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Phosphorus Supply on the Leaf Photosynthesis, and Biomass and Phosphorus Accumulation and Partitioning of Canola (Brassica napus L.) in Saline Environment

by Long Wang, Jingdong Zheng, Jingjing You, Jing Li, Chen Qian, Suohu Leng, Guang Yang and Qingsong Zuo

Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1918; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11101918 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1892

Abstract

Salt stress is a major negative factor affecting the sustainable development of agriculture. Phosphorus (P) deficiency often occurs in saline soil, and their interaction inhibits plant growth and seed yield for canola (Brassica napus L.). P supply is considered an effective way to alleviate the damage of salt stress. However, the knowledge of how P supply can promote plant growth in saline environment was limited. A field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of P rate on accumulation, and partitioning, of biomass and P, leaf photosynthesis traits, and yield performance in saline soil in the coastal area of Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, China, during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 growing seasons. P supply increased biomass and P accumulation in all organs, and root had the most increments among different organs. At flowering stage, P supply increased the biomass and P partitioning in root and leaf, but it decreased the partitioning in stem. At maturity stage, P supply facilitated the biomass and P partitioning in seed, but it decreased the partitioning in stem and shell, and it increased the reproductive-vegetative ratio, suggesting that P supply can improve the nutrients transporting from vegetative organs to reproductive organs. Besides, P supply improved the leaf area index and photosynthetic rate at the flowering stage. As a result, the seed yield and oil yield were increased. In conclusion, P supply can improve the canola plant growth and seed yield in a saline environment. P fertilizer at the rate of 120 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ was recommended in this saline soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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16 pages, 3451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Addition of Selenium to the Nutrient Solution Decreases Cadmium Toxicity in Pepper Plants Grown under Hydroponic Conditions

by Rafael Perez-Millan, Marina Alfosea-Simon, Ernesto Alejandro Zavala-Gonzalez, Jose Maria Camara-Zapata, Juan Jose Martinez-Nicolas, Vicente Lidon, Inma Simon, Muhammad Adnan Shahid, Francisco Garcia-Sanchez and Silvia Simon-Grao

Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1905; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11101905 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2162

Abstract

Cadmium is absorbed by plants rapidly and without control through the same channels as other essential metals, interfering with their transport and utilization. Many studies have shown that selenium could be utilized as a way to avoid this unwanted transport and other negative effects of Cd. For this reason, the present research study was conducted with four treatments (−Cd/−Se, +Cd/−Se, +Cd/+Se_F, and +Cd/+Se_R) to determine the type of application of Se that is best (foliarly and/or via the root) as regards the reduction of the toxic effects of Cd on plants. Our results showed that the Cd excess in the nutrient solution resulted in a decrease in the total dry biomass of the plants grown under these conditions, and this decrease was due to the reduction of the growth of the shoot (48% +Cd/−Se, 45% +Cd/+Se_F, and 38% +Cd/+Se_R, relative to −Cd/−Se). This reduction in growth was due to: (i) the toxicity of Cd itself and (ii) the nutritional disequilibrium suffered by the plants. It seems that under hydroponic conditions, the addition of Se to the nutrient solution, and therefore its absorption through the roots (lower antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase, H₂O₂ concentration and higher catalase activity), greatly delayed and reduced the toxic effects of Cd on the pepper plants, as opposed to the foliar application of this element. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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12 pages, 1806 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Phosphorus Fertilization Alleviates the Effect of Salinity on Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Productivity and Quality

by Hamza Bouras, Ahmed Bouaziz, Bassou Bouazzama, Abdelaziz Hirich and Redouane Choukr-Allah

Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081491 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2419

Abstract

Salinity is a major problem affecting agriculture in many regions of the world, including Morocco. The best agronomic practices such as fertilization are used to cope with salinity stress and improve productivity under saline conditions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the interactive effect of phosphorus and salinity on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cv. “Sporta” productivity and quality. A field experiment was carried out, testing three levels of irrigation water salinity (ECw = 0.7; 4, 8, and 12 dS·m⁻¹) and three levels of phosphorus (100, 120, and 140 kg P₂O₅·ha⁻¹) organized in a split-plot design with three replicates. This research was conducted in the Tadla region (center of Morocco) during two seasons in 2019 and 2020. The obtained results show that irrigation water salinity had a negative effect on most growth and productivity parameters. For instance, sugar beet yield reduced by 21% and by 26% under saline irrigation, with an EC value equal to 4 and 8 dS·m⁻¹, respectively, compared to the control during the 2018–2019 season, and by 1%, 19%, and 27% under saline irrigation, with an EC value equal to 4 and 8 and 12 dS·m⁻¹, respectively compared to the control (0.7 dS·m⁻¹) during the 2019–2020 season. Total sugar content was significantly increased by 5% and 7%, respectively, under saline irrigation, with an EC value of 4 and 8 dS·m⁻¹, respectively, as compared with the control in the first growing season in 2018–2019. However, in the second growing season (2019–2020), only the highest level of saline water (EC = 12 dS·m⁻¹) significantly increased in sugar content by 15% compared to the control. Regarding the P fertilization effect, it was found that a P rate of 120 kg P₂O₅·ha⁻¹ was enough to improve the yield and sugar content of sugar beet under the tested salinity levels. Thus, P fertilization could be one of the best practices to enhance sugar beets’ tolerance of salinity. To obtain a maximum root and sugar yield under saline water, it is recommended to apply a phosphorus dose of 120 kg P₂O₅·ha⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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13 pages, 1647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Yield and Quality of Ratoon Sugarcane Are Improved by Applying Potassium under Irrigation to Potassium Deficient Soils

by Rajan Bhatt, Paramjit Singh, Omar M. Ali, Arafat Abdel Hamed Abdel Latef, Alison M. Laing and Akbar Hossain

Agronomy 2021, 11(7), 1381; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11071381 - 07 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4399

Abstract

The current study was carried out at the experimental farm of Rana Sugars Ltd., Buttar Seviyan, Amritsar, Punjab, India, to identify methods to improve the yield and quality of ratoon sugarcane in potassium-deficient soils. The treatments comprised two levels of irrigation, resulting in plants which either received sufficient water (I₁) or were water-stressed (I₂), and four rates of potassium (K) application: 0 (K₁), 40 (K₂), 80 (K₃) and 120 (K₄) kg K₂O ha⁻¹. The results showed that the irrigation levels did not influence crop parameters significantly, although all parameters presented higher values for I₁-treated plots. Compared to the K₁ (i.e., 0 kg ha⁻¹ K fertiliser applied) treatment, the K_2, K₃ and K₄ treatments yielded 11.16, 37.9 and 40.7%, respectively, higher millable canes and 1.25, 5.62 and 13.13% more nodes per plant, respectively. At 280 days after harvest of the first (plant) crop, the I₁ treatment provided ratoons which were up to 15.58% higher than those obtained with the I₂ treatment, with cane girths up to 7.69% wider and yields up to 7.29% higher than those observed with the I₂ treatment. While the number of nodes per plant did not differ significantly between treatments, there were significant differences in other parameters. Quality parameters (with the exception of extraction percentage) were significantly enhanced by the K₃ treatment. The benefit-to-cost ratio (B/C) was higher for the I₁ treatment than for the I₂, due to a reduced productivity associated with the I₂ treatment. At both irrigation levels, the K₃ treatment resulted in the highest quality parameters. K₁-, K₂- and K₄-treated plots presented more instances of insect infestations than plots receiving the K₃ treatment. Relative to the K₃ plots, infestation by the early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus) was 18.2, 6.0 and 12.2% higher, respectively, in plots that underwent the K₁, K₂ and K₄ treatments, while infestation by the top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis) was 21.2, 9.21 and 14.0% higher, and that by the stalk borer (Chilo auricilius) was 10.7, 0 and 8.10% higher. Not all infestation differences between treatments were significant. Our research demonstrates that growing sugarcane in potassium-deficient soils with applications of 80 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ under irrigation should be recommended to increase yield and quality while minimising insect infestation and to implement sustainable ratoon sugarcane production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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22 pages, 1266 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Integrated Application of K and Zn as an Avenue to Promote Sugar Beet Yield, Industrial Sugar Quality, and K-Use Efficiency in a Salty Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystem

by Ali A. A. Mekdad, Ahmed Shaaban, Mostafa M. Rady, Esmat F. Ali and Fahmy A. S. Hassan

Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040780 - 15 Apr 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2086

Abstract

Salinity combined with a deficiency of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) negatively affect sugar beet yield and quality. A two-year (2017/18–2018/19) field trial was undertaken to investigate the mediating role of soil-applied K [120 (K₁₂₀) and 180 (K₁₈₀) kg ha⁻¹] and foliar-applied Zn [0 (Zn₀), 150 (Zn₁₅₀), and 300 (Zn₃₀₀) ppm] in alleviating salt-stress (8.60 dS m⁻¹) based on sugar beet morpho-physiological responses, sugar yield and quality, and K-use efficiency in the BTS 301 and Kawemira cultivars. Application of K₁₈₀ × Zn₃₀₀ was more effective and resulted in 23.39 and 37.78% higher root yield (RY) and pure sugar yield (PSY), respectively, compared to control (K₁₂₀ × Zn₀). It also enhanced sucrose, pure sugar (PS), and purity but decreased impurities (α-amino N, K, and Na), alkalinity index, and sugar loss. However, the K₁₂₀ × Zn₃₀₀ recorded higher K-use efficiency. PSY correlated positively (r = 0.776 **, 0.629 **, 0.602 **, 0.549 **, and 0.513 **) with RY, root fresh weight (RFW), top yield, PS, and root diameter, respectively. The stepwise and path-coefficient analysis demonstrated that RY, PS, and RFW were the most influential PSY-affected attributes. Integration of K₁₈₀ + Zn₃₀₀ can correct K and Zn deficiencies in the soil and mitigate salt-stress effects via improving sugar beet growth, yield and quality, and K-use efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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23 pages, 1965 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Physiological Basis of Combined Stress Tolerance to Low Phosphorus and Drought in a Diverse Set of Mungbean Germplasm

by Surendra Kumar Meena, Renu Pandey, Sandeep Sharma, Gayacharan, Tarun Kumar, Madan Pal Singh and Harsh Kumar Dikshit

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010099 - 07 Jan 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3247

Abstract

To understand the physiological basis of tolerance to combined stresses to low phosphorus (P) and drought in mungbean (Vignaradiata (L.) R. Wilczek), a diverse set of 100 accessions were evaluated in hydroponics at sufficient (250 μM) and low (3 μM) P and exposed to drought (dehydration) stress. The principal component analysis and ranking of accessions based on relative values revealed that IC280489, EC397142, IC76415, IC333090, IC507340, and IC121316 performed superior while IC119005, IC73401, IC488526, and IC325853 performed poorly in all treatments. Selected accessions were evaluated in soil under control (sufficient P, irrigated), low P (without P, irrigated), drought (sufficient P, withholding irrigation), and combined stress (low P, withholding irrigation). Under combined stress, a significant reduction in gas exchange traits (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, instantaneous water use efficiency) and P uptake in seed and shoot was observed under combined stress as compared to individual stresses. Among accessions, IC488526 was most sensitive while IC333090 and IC507340 exhibited tolerance to individual or combined stress. The water balance and low P adaptation traits like membrane stability index, relative water content, specific leaf weight, organic acid exudation, biomass, grain yield, and P uptake can be used as physiological markers to evaluate for agronomic performance. Accessions with considerable tolerance to low P and drought stress can be either used as ‘donors’ in Vigna breeding program or cultivated in areas with limited P and water availability or both. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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12 pages, 2126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Calcium on the Growth of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) Sprouts

by Yun-Yang Chao, Wei-Jia Wang and Yan-Ting Liu

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010082 - 02 Jan 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3335

Abstract

Taiwanese quinoa (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz, commonly known as djulis) is a close relative of quinoa, is rich in nutritional value and high active components, such as, betaine and polyphenols, and is a vital food crop. We investigated the effects of calcium carbonate on the growth and physiology of Djulis sprouts because calcium is an essential nutrient for plants that can strengthen a plant’s root system and improve its nutrient absorption; moreover, under abiotic stress, calcium transmits messages to enhance cell tolerance. Experiments were conducted using 0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mM calcium carbonate hydroponic liquid treatment. Treatment with 5 mM calcium carbonate promoted the growth of djulis; specifically, root length, plant height, aboveground fresh weight, and dry weight increased by 55%, 12%, 37%, and 17%, respectively. In further investigation of the physiological change of djulis sprouts treated with calcium carbonate, the results showed that after 5 days of treatment with 5 mM calcium carbonate, the contents of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde decreased significantly while the chlorophyll content increased significantly. Antioxidant enzyme activity was significantly improved. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were increased by 42%, 25%, 35.7%, and 56.4%, respectively, and the calcium content of the aboveground and underground plant parts was increased fourfold and threefold, respectively. The content of proline, regarded as an osmoprotectant, was reduced by 12%. Thus, we concluded that treatment of djulis sprouts with 5 mM calcium carbonate can improve their antioxidant capacity, reduce the content of reactive oxygen species, and promote crop growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Mineral Nutrition to Obtain Stress Tolerant Crops)

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