Cellulose Acetate Microbeads for Controlled Delivery of Essential Micronutrients.

The controlled delivery of micronutrients to soil and plants is essential to increase agricultural yields. However, this is today achieved using fossil fuel-derived plastic carriers, posing environmental risks and contributing to global carbon emissions. In this work, a novel and efficient way to prepare biodegradable zinc-impregnated cellulose acetate beads for use as controlled release fertilizers is presented.

Assessment of selenium spatial distribution using μ-XFR in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) plants: Integration of physiological and biochemical responses.

Low concentrations of selenium (Se) are beneficial for plant growth. Foliar Se application at high concentrations is toxic to plants due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study characterized Se toxicity symptoms using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique in response to foliar Se application in cowpea plants.

Persistent Calyxes in Postbloom Fruit Drop: A Microscopy and Microanalysis Perspective.

Citrus postbloom fruit drop, caused by spp., is an important disease in the Americas. The pathogen infects citrus flowers, produces orange-brown lesions on petals, and may cause the abscission of young fruit.

Zinc uptake from ZnSO and Zn-EDTA and its root-to-shoot transport in soybean plants (Glycine max) probed by time-resolved in vivo X-ray spectroscopy.

This study investigated the dynamic of zinc (Zn) uptake and the root-to-shoot Zn-transport when supplied as ZnSO or Zn-EDTA in soybean seedlings using in vivo X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES). The time-resolved X-ray fluorescence showed that plants absorbed ca. 10-fold more Zn from ZnSO than from Zn-EDTA .

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) applied to plant science: challenges towards in vivo analysis of plants.

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is an analytical tool used to determine the elemental composition in a myriad of sample matrices. Due to the XRF non-destructive feature, this technique may allow time-resolved plant tissue analyses under in vivo conditions, and additionally, the combination with other non-destructive techniques. In this study, we employed handheld and benchtop XRF to evaluate the elemental distribution changes in living plant tissues exposed to X-rays, as well as real-time uptake kinetics of Zn(aq) and Mn(aq) in soybean (Glycine max (L.

Space-resolved determination of the mineral nutrient content in tree-rings by X-ray fluorescence.

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) offers rapid, multi-elemental, low cost and non-destructive elemental analysis. Different studies have used this technique to investigate distribution and concentration of essential and deleterious elements in vegetation. Special emphasis has been recently placed on the key aspects concerning sampling processes, laboratory protocols and calibration methods for quantitative analysis.

LaO Nanoparticles: Study of Uptake and Distribution in (Spreng.) Pedersen by LA-ICP-MS and μ-XRF.

The production and use of nanoparticles (NPs) in different fields increased in the last years. However, some NPs have toxicological properties, making these materials potential emerging pollutants. Therefore, it is important to investigate the uptake, transformation, translocation, and deposition of NPs in plants.

A new glance on root-to-shoot in vivo zinc transport and time-dependent physiological effects of ZnSO and ZnO nanoparticles on plants.

Understanding nanoparticle root uptake and root-to-shoot transport might contribute to the use of nanotechnology in plant nutrition. This study performed time resolved experiments to probe Zn uptake, biotransformation and physiological effects on Phaseolus vulgaris (L.).

Bean Seedling Growth Enhancement Using Magnetite Nanoparticles.

Advanced fertilizers are one of the top requirements to address rising global food demand. This study investigates the effect of bare and polyethylene glycol-coated FeO nanoparticles on the germination and seedling development of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Although the germination rate was not affected by the treatments (1 to 1 000 mg Fe L), seed soaking in FeO-PEG at 1 000 mg Fe L increased radicle elongation (8.

X-ray Spectroscopy Uncovering the Effects of Cu Based Nanoparticle Concentration and Structure on Phaseolus vulgaris Germination and Seedling Development.

Nanoparticles properties such as solubility, tunable surface charges, and singular reactivity might be explored to improve the performance of fertilizers. Nevertheless, these unique properties may also bring risks to the environment since the fate of nanoparticles is poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of a range of CuO nanoparticles sizes and concentrations on the germination and seedling development of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Ureasil-poly(ethylene oxide) hybrid matrix for selective adsorption and separation of dyes from water.

Herein, we present a cross-linked ureasil-polyether-siloxane hybrid (labeled PEO500) that can function as a stimuli-sensitive material; it swells or shrinks in response to changes in the environmental conditions and it can also, effectively and selectively, remove dyes from water solution. We also developed a methodology to separate a mixture of cationic and anionic dyes present in water. Addition of PEO500 to an aqueous solution of the anionic orange II (OII) or the ponceau S (PS) dye rendered the solution colorless, but an aqueous solution of cationic methylene blue (MB) remained unchanged after 2 h of contact with the insoluble matrix.