Iron biofortification in quinoa: Effect of iron application methods on nutritional quality, anti-nutrient composition, and grain productivity.

Biofortification of iron (Fe) in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) grains should have benefits for human health and food security. However, effects of this approach on productivity, as well as Fe content and grain quality remain unknown. Thus, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the impacts of different methods of Fe delivery in a hydroponic system, root application (90 µmol/L), foliar spraying (9 mmol/L), combined root and foliar application, and control (no Fe).

Forms of application of silicon in quinoa and benefits involved in the association between productivity with grain biofortification.

Multiple aspects of the physiological and nutritional mechanisms involved with silicon (Si) absorption by quinoa plants remain poorly investigated, as well as the best way of supplying this element to crops. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating whether the application of Si increases its uptake by quinoa plants and consequently the use efficiency of N and P, as well as the levels of phenolic compounds in the leaves, crop productivity and the biofortification of grains. For this purpose, the concentration of 3 mmol L of Si was tested, according to the following procedures: foliar application (F), root application in the nutrient solution (R), combined Si application via nutrient solution and foliar spraying (F + R), and no Si application (0).

Silicon modifies C:N:P stoichiometry, and increases nutrient use efficiency and productivity of quinoa.

Recognizably, silicon has a beneficial effect on plant growth and productivity. In this respect, it is also known that the C, N and, P stoichiometric ratios and nutrient conversion efficiency allow identifying the interactions between elements while helping to understand the role Si plays in plant growth. This study aims to investigate whether increasing Si concentrations (0, 1, 2, and 3 mmol L) supplied in the nutrient solution is uptaken by quinoa, modifies the C:N:P stoichiometry while increasing nutritional efficiency and crop productivity as well.

Silicon attenuates calcium deficiency by increasing ascorbic acid content, growth and quality of cabbage leaves.

Calcium (Ca) deficiency in cabbage plants induces oxidative damage, hampering growth and decreasing quality, however, it is hypothesized that silicon (Si) added to the nutrient solution may alleviate crop losses. Therefore, this study aims at evaluating whether silicon supplied in the nutrient solution reduces, in fact, the calcium deficiency effects on cabbage plants. In a greenhouse, cabbage plants were grown using nutrient solutions with Ca sufficiency and Ca deficiency (5 mM) without and with added silicon (2.