Natural fortification can be used to increase the mineral content of the edible part of plants. In horticultural crops, foliar fertilization is used extensively, being a way to provide nutrients through leaves (a faster way compared to soil applications). Moreover, Fe and Zn are two important nutrients for plant growth and development, despite the low kinetic mobility. As such, considering the importance of Fe and Zn in plants and the fact that tomato is one of the most consumed horticultural crops worldwide, this study aimed to verify whether, in the middle of a biofortification process (after two foliar applications), Fe and Zn content in tomatoes of Solanum lycopersicum (beef heart variety, also known as Coeur de Boeuf) organically grown can improve. The experimental field was selected and the protocols for tomato growth were followed in accordance with the organic production mode. Two foliar applications were carried out during the production cycle, with a mix of two products of Fe and Zn (Zitrilon–15% and Maxiblend) with two concentrations (treatment 1 and treatment 2, corresponding to a mix of Ziltrilon and Maxiblend of 0.40 and 1 kg·ha−1 and 1.20 and 4 kg·ha−1). Through X-ray fluorescence using a XRF analyzer under He atmosphere, leaves of tomatoes submitted to the biofortification process showed an increase of 76.9% of Fe content and double Zn content, in treatment 2. However, treatment 1 only showed increases in Zn content (by 75.5% compared to control). Regarding tomato fruits, treatment 2 showed an increase of 7% of Zn content, relative to control content. Naturally enriched tomatoes with Fe and Zn showed minor changes in colorimetric parameters (chroma and hue) and no significant differences in L parameter (brightness/luminosity), relative to control. Additionally, biofortification did not affect the tomatoes' height and diameter at this stage of development, varying between 75.7–84.3 mm and 76.7–93.3 mm, respectively. In conclusion, two foliar sprays of Fe and Zn can improve tomato and leaf content under organic production practices without triggering toxicity to the plants or affecting tomatoes height and diameter, and only minor changes in color parameters were presented (CieLab scale).
This study aimed to assess the implications of Zn enrichment in wheat grains as a function of contrasting genotypes, edaphic conditions and foliar fertilizers.
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered one of the most consumed cereals worldwide. In fact, for most countries, it is considered a staple food crop. In this context, in Portugal, Ariete and Ceres are well known as varieties that produce grains with a high quality, yet little is known about their nutrient accumulation. In this context, this study aims to characterize and compare both varieties produced in the central region of Portugal (Salvaterra de Magos-Ribatejo). Whole and white rice grains, as well as their respective flours, were analyzed in order to quantify the mineral content of macro- and microelements (Mo, Ca, K, P and S). Molybdenum (Mo) content varied significantly between 4.7–11.2 mg·kg−1 in the whole flour of Ceres and Ariete, respectively, while P content was only detected in the flour of the Ariete variety. Regarding both varieties, concerning the other elements, there were no significant differences in their content. Moreover, the total ash content in the refined flour showed significant differences in both varieties. Quality parameters such as the density of the grains and colorimetric indexes (L, a* and b*) in brown and white grain were also considered, and it was found that density values varied between 1301–1651 kg/m3 (in the Ariete variety) and 1492–1573 kg/m3 (in the Ceres variety). It was concluded that, in spite of the differences found in both varieties, minerals contents, combined with the quality parameters, showed common characteristics required for high industrial and gastronomic potential.
Calcium is essential for plants, yet as its mobility is limited, the understanding of the rate of Ca2+ accumulation and deposition in tissues of tubers, as well as the interactions with other critical nutrients prompted this study. To assess the interactions and differential accumulation of micro and macronutrients in the tissues of tubers, Solanum tuberosum L. varieties Agria and Rossi were cultivated and, after the beginning of tuberization, four foliar sprayings (at 8-10 day intervals) with CaCl2 (3 and 6 kg ha-1) or Ca(NO3)2 (2 and 4 kg ha-1) solutions were performed. It was found that both fertilizers increased Ca accumulation in tubers (mostly in the parenchyma tissues located in the center of the equatorial region). The functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus was not affected until the 3rd application but was somewhat affected when approaching the end of the crop cycle (after the 4th application), although the lower dose of CaCl2 seemed to improve the photochemical use of energy, particularly when compared with the greater dose of Ca(NO3)2. Still, none of these impacts modified tuber height and diameter. Following the increased accumulation of Ca, in the tubers of both varieties, the mean contents of P, K, Na, Fe, and Zn revealed different accumulation patterns. Moreover, accumulation of K, Fe, Mn, and Zn prevailed in the epidermis, displaying a contrasting pattern relative to Ca. Therefore, Ca accumulation revealed a heterogeneous trend in the different regions analyzed, and Ca enrichment of tubers altered the accumulation of other nutrients.
Soils provide plants both with a physical home and all the essential nutrients and support they crave to thrive. Such circumstances pave the way for a close analysis of the level of viability of different types of soils, and hence the need to assess the suitability of the experimental field in which to implement an agronomic biofortification itinerary. Thus, soil samples were collected from different sites of a wheat field. A rectangular grid was applied. Afterwards, pH and electrical conductivity were determined with a potentiometer; the mineral quantification was measured using an XRF analyzer and color analysis were performed with a Minolta CR 400 colorimeter. Moisture and organic matter content analyses were also carried out. No significant differences were found when considering the moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, and the mineral values of Fe and Mn. As opposed to this, slight differences were observed in organic matter content, color parameters, and in Ca, K, S, Cu, and Zn. Concerning the macroelements, the most prevalent mineral was Ca, followed by K and S. As for the microelements, Zn was the least dominant mineral, as opposed to Cu, Mn, and Fe. Data showed that this experimental field has proven to be eligible to implement an agronomic biofortification workflow due to the slightly acid pH and the lower amount of organic matter content.
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important staple food crops and one of the most consumed food crops worldwide. As such, it is a suitable food matrix for biofortification studies, namely, with Ca, as it is an essential mineral for plant growth and development, it being required for several structural issues. In this context, this study aimed to monitor the mineral content and location of Ca and other essential minerals (K, P, S, Fe, and Zn) and assess some quality parameters (color of the pulp, total soluble solid, and dry weigh content) in tubers of Solanum tuberosum L. (Agria variety), after three months of storage, submitted to a Ca biofortification process with four foliar sprays with three concentrations of calcium nitrate (0.5, 2, and 4 kg·ha−1) and two concentrations of calcium chloride (3 and 6 kg·ha−1). It was found out that, in most treatments, Ca, K, P, S, Fe, and Zn have higher contents in the epidermis region and that control tubers showed a lower dry weight content compared to the biofortified ones. Moreover, after three months of storage, naturally enriched tubers maintain a preferential accumulation of Ca in the epidermis region (as seen in the harvest) and showed a decrease in the dry weight content in the control and biofortified tubers (compared to the harvest data). Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the colorimetric parameters of the pulp tubers and in the total soluble solid content, presenting similar data to the harvest ones. In conclusion, the storage process of biofortified tubers affected a quality parameter—dry weight content—that is relevant for industrial processing and a criterion for potato tubers classification. In this context, only the Ca(NO3)2 2 kg·ha−1 and CaCl2 3 and 6 kg·ha−1 treatments were suitable for industrial processing after 3 months under storage conditions.
Triticum aestivum L. is one of the most produced staple crops worldwide in which its zinc biofortification is of the utmost importance to diminish malnutrition. In addition, the pronounced increase in the human population demands higher food production within quality standards. Zinc plays an important role, not only in promoting the maintenance of human health, but is also linked with plant growth. Under this framework, a zinc agronomic biofortification of Triticum aestivum L. was implemented in an experimental field with two varieties (Paiva and Roxo) in Beja, Portugal. This itinerary comprised two ZnSO4 foliar sprayings along the plant cycle with three different concentrations (control—0; 8.1 and 18.2 kg ha−1). Soil analyses (moisture, organic matter, pH, electrochemical conductivity and mineral quantification) and atomic absorption with the mineral quantification (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe, Cu and Zn) of whole wheat flours were carried out. Zinc foliar spraying enhanced the Zinc content in both varieties in the flours in which no significant differences between ZnSO4 treatments were observed. P and K presented higher values in the flours, contrasting with Ca and Mg. In general, there were no significant differences between the soil samples in the respective analyses. It was concluded that wheat flour biofortified in zinc can be used as a product to help overcome malnutrition.
As the human population is growing worldwide, the food demand is sharply increasing. Following this assumption, strategies to enhance the food production are being explored, namely, smart farming, for monitoring crops during the production cycle. In this study, a vineyard of Vitis vinifera cv. Moscatel located in Palmela (N 38°35′47.113′′ O 8°40′46.651) was submitted to a Zn biofortification workflow, through foliar application of zinc oxide (ZnO) or zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) (at a concentration of 60% and 90%—900 g·ha−1 and 1350 g·ha−1, respectively). The field morphology and vigor of the vineyard was performed through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) images (assessed with altimetric measurement sensors), synchronized by GPS. Drainage capacity and slopes showed one-third of the field with reduced surface drainage and a maximum variation of 0.80 m between the extremes (almost flat), respectively. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values reflected a greater vigor in treated grapes with treatment SZn90 showing a higher value. These data were interpolated with mineral content, monitored with atomic absorption analysis (showing a 1.3-fold increase for the biofortification index). It was concluded that the used technologies furnishes specific target information in real time about the crops production.