Publications by authors named "Manuela Simoes"
Potato ( L.) is the world's third most popular vegetable in terms of consumption and the fourth most produced. Potatoes can be easily cultivated in different climates and locations around the globe and often in soils contaminated by heavy metals due to industrial activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZinc enrichment of edible food products, through the soil and/or foliar application of fertilizers, is a strategy that can increase the contents of some nutrients, namely Zn. In this context, a workflow for agronomic enrichment with zinc was carried out on irrigated cv. Syrah, aiming to evaluate the mobilization of photoassimilates to the winegrapes and the consequences of this for winemaking.
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- Rice is a vital cereal crop, and this study focused on using selenium (Se) foliar applications to enhance its nutritional value in two rice varieties, Ariete and Ceres.
- The treatments involved spraying sodium selenate and sodium selenite at different developmental stages, which resulted in greater Se content and positive changes in nutrients like potassium (K) and phosphorus (P).
- The findings indicated that while Se enriched the rice grain with selenium, it also affected other nutrients differently, increasing protein content in the Ariete variety but not in Ceres, thus improving the overall nutritional profile of the rice without compromising quality.
One-third of the world's population is suffering from "hidden hunger" due to micronutrient deficiency. Zinc is acquired through diet, leading its deficiency to the development of disorders such as retarded growth, anorexia, infections, and hypogeusia. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop an agronomic workflow for Zn biofortification on two red winegrapes varieties (cv.
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- There’s rising concern about micronutrient deficits in food, and biofortification, specifically with zinc (Zn), is a strategy to address this.
- A workflow was developed for enriching the Fernão Pires grape variety with Zn, assessing how it affects grape quality and winemaking after applying various Zn compounds during the growing season.
- Results showed a significant increase in Zn levels in the grapes compared to untreated ones, especially in the skins and seeds, but overall grape quality and composition remained largely unchanged.
As the productivity and quality of tomato fruits are responsive to Mg applications, without surpassing the threshold of toxicity, the assessment of potential levels of Mg accumulation in tissues, as well as the interactions with Ca and physicochemical properties, prompt this study. An agronomic workflow for Mg enrichment, consisting of six foliar applications of MgSO with four concentrations (0%, 0.25%, 1% and 4%), equivalent to 0, 43.
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- The mineral composition of grapes and wine can be affected by soil minerals, farming practices, and the environment, with zinc (Zn) being particularly important for human health.
- Experiments using foliar fertilizers containing zinc revealed that both Moscatel and Castelão grape varieties experienced decreased photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, indicating potential toxicity from zinc without visible symptoms.
- Zinc content significantly increased in Castelão grapes after treatment, but less so in Moscatel, and both varieties showed enhanced zinc levels post-winemaking, emphasizing the potential for nutrient enrichment in wine production.
An agronomic itinerary for Se biofortification of two rice cultivars (Ariete and Ceres) through foliar fertilization with sodium selenate and sodium selenite with different concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 g Se.ha), was implemented in experimental fields. The selenium toxicity threshold was not exceeded, as shown by the eco-physiological data obtained through leaf gas exchanges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to assess the efficiency of Ca enrichment in tubers of three genotypes of L., through foliar spraying with CaCl and Ca(NO) solutions. In this context, soil heterogeneity of three potato-growing fields, as well as the implications of Ca accumulation among tissues and some quality parameters were assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to assess the implications of Zn enrichment in wheat grains as a function of contrasting genotypes, edaphic conditions and foliar fertilizers. L. varieties Roxo and Paiva were grown in four production fields, and sprayed with ZnSO (0, 16.
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- Rice is the second-most-produced crop globally and can potentially reduce nutrient deficiencies through selenium (Se) biofortification.
- Researchers conducted trials on two rice genotypes (OP1505 and OP1509) using different foliar fertilizers (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) applied at various stages of growth.
- Results showed significant increases in Se levels and total protein content in the rice grains, indicating that agronomic biofortification can enhance rice's nutritional value without compromising its quality.
Soils and different vegetable species in Costa de Caparica (Portugal) are subject to the intensive use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Thus, the concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were evaluated. Lettuce, spinach, and potatoes collected in station 9 cause reason for concern due to their high Pb concentrations close to 20 μg g which is probably related to an intensive use of copper and iron sulphate fertilizers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Neves-Corvo mining complex (MC) situated in southern Portugal exploits one of the most world's important copper deposits. Agricultural soils surrounding the MC, used by the inhabitants for crop production, contain excessive amounts of As, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Thus, a potential risk to human consumption exists if edible plants grow on these substrata.
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