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Priatama RA, Beak HK, Park S, Song I, Park SJ, Kim SB, Lee YK. Tomato yield enhancement with plasma-activated water as an alternative nitrogen source. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2025; 25:668. [PMID: 40394503 PMCID: PMC12090648 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-025-06701-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2025] [Accepted: 05/09/2025] [Indexed: 05/22/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-thermal plasma has recently gained popularity in agriculture for their potential applications in precultivation, cultivation, and postharvest processes. Plasma-treated seeds exhibit enhanced plant growth, and their fruits can be stored for extended periods. However, limited research has been conducted to confirm the effects of plasma-activated water (PAW) treatment on plant cultivation from germination to harvest. In this study, we aimed to investigate the use of PAW, generated using a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) device, for tomato cultivation from germination to harvest. RESULTS PAW irrigation significantly improved seedling development, increasing cotyledon area by up to 4-times and seedling biomass by up to 3.6-times compared to the untreated control. During the reproductive phase, PAW treatment doubled the number of flowers and increased chlorophyll content and leaf area. At harvest, PAW irrigation led to a 3-times increase in fruit number and up to a 3.9-times increase in plant biomass. Moreover, the characteristics of fruits produced by PAW-treated plants were normal. CONCLUSION These results highlight the potential of PAW in future agricultural practices as an alternative ecofriendly nutrient source for plant irrigation under nutrient-limiting conditions, during all developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryza A Priatama
- Institute of Plasma Technology, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Gunsan, 54004, Republic of Korea
- Center for Animal New Drug Development, Korea, Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jeongeup, 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Kwan Beak
- Institute of Plasma Technology, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Gunsan, 54004, Republic of Korea
- Division of Biological Sciences, Wonkwang University, Iksan, 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungil Park
- Institute of Plasma Technology, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Gunsan, 54004, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilchan Song
- Institute of Plasma Technology, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Gunsan, 54004, Republic of Korea
- Center for Animal New Drug Development, Korea, Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jeongeup, 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Ju Park
- Division of Applied Life Science and Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Bong Kim
- Institute of Plasma Technology, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Gunsan, 54004, Republic of Korea
- Center for Animal New Drug Development, Korea, Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jeongeup, 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Koung Lee
- Institute of Plasma Technology, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Gunsan, 54004, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Plasma and Nuclear Fusion, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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Zhao Z, Xie B, Wang X, Wang Q, Guo C, Zhang F, Wang H, Zhang R, Zhang C. Adaptive growth strategies of Quercus dentata to drought and nitrogen enrichment: a physiological and biochemical perspective. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1479563. [PMID: 39649803 PMCID: PMC11620892 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1479563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 11/06/2024] [Indexed: 12/11/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen deposition and drought significantly influence plant growth and soil physicochemical properties. This study investigates the effects of nitrogen deposition and water stress on the growth and physiological responses of Quercus dentata, and how these factors interact to influence the overall productivity. Two-year-old potted seedlings were selected to simulate nitrogen deposition and water stress. Nitrogen was applied at rates of 0 kg·ha-1·year-1 (N0) and 150 kg·ha-1·year-1 (N150). The levels of water stress corresponded to 80% (W80), 50% (W50), and 20% (W20) of soil saturation moisture content. High nitrogen (N150) significantly increased stem elongation and stem diameter by enhancing photosynthetic parameters, including P n (W80) and G s (W50), and maintained higher water use efficiency. Under drought conditions, nitrogen enhanced leaf water content, stabilized electrical conductivity, regulated antioxidant enzyme activity, and increased the accumulation of proline. However, under severe drought, nitrogen did not significantly improve biomass, highlighting the critical role of water availability. Additionally, increased nitrogen levels enhanced soil enzyme activity, facilitated the uptake of crucial nutrients like K and Zn. Mantel tests indicated significant correlations between soil enzyme activity, water use efficiency, and leaf Fe content, suggesting that nitrogen deposition altered nutrient uptake strategies in Q. dentata to sustain normal photosynthetic capacity under water stress. This study demonstrates that nitrogen deposition substantially enhances the growth and physiological resilience of Q. dentata under W50 by optimizing photosynthetic efficiency, water use efficiency, and nutrient uptake. However, the efficacy of nitrogen is highly dependent on water availability, highlighting the necessity of integrated nutrient and water management for plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiaona Wang
- College of Landscape Architecture and Tourism, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
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Li S, Liu X, Yin L, Wang S, Deng X. Alteration in lipid metabolism is involved in nitrogen deficiency response in wheat seedlings. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 214:108883. [PMID: 38943879 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Changes of membrane lipid composition contribute to plant adaptation to various abiotic stresses. Here, a comparative study was undertaken to investigate the mechanisms of how lipid alteration affects plant growth and development under nitrogen (N) deficiency. Two wheat cultivars: the N deficiency-tolerant cultivar Xiaoyan 6 (XY) and the N deficiency-sensitive cultivar Aikang 58 (AK) were used to test if the high N-deficiency tolerance was related with lipid metabolism. The results showed that N deficiency inhibited the morpho-physiological parameters in both XY and AK cultivars, which showed a significant decrease in biomass, N content, photosynthetic efficiency, and lipid contents. However, these decreases were more pronounced in AK than XY. In addition, XY showed a notable increase in fatty acid unsaturation, relatively well-maintained chloroplast ultrastructure, and minimized damage of lipid peroxidation and enhanced PSII activity under N-deficient condition, as compared with AK. Transcription levels of many genes involved in lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid desaturation were up-regulated in response to N deficiency in two wheat cultivars, while the expressions were much higher in XY than AK under N deficiency. These results highlight the importance of alterations in lipid metabolism in N deficiency tolerance in wheat. High levels of lipid content and unsaturated fatty acids maintained the membrane structure and function, contributing to high photosynthesis and antioxidant capacities, thereby improved the tolerance to N deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Li
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, 712100, China; School of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University, Shaanxi, Xi'an, 710065, China
| | - Lina Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, 712100, China.
| | - Shiwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xiping Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, 712100, China
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Cao Y, Pan Y, Yang Y, Liu T, Wang M, Li Y, Guo S. Variation of mesophyll conductance mediated by nitrogen form is related to changes in cell wall property and chloroplast number. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhae112. [PMID: 38919556 PMCID: PMC11197310 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Plants primarily incorporate nitrate (NO3 -) and ammonium (NH4 +) as the primary source of inorganic nitrogen (N); the physiological mechanisms of photosynthesis (A) dropdown under NH4 + nutrition has been investigated in many studies. Leaf anatomy is a major determinant to mesophyll conductance (g m) and photosynthesis; however, it remains unclear whether the photosynthesis variations of plants exposed to different N forms is related to leaf anatomical variation. In this work, a common shrub, Lonicera japonica was hydroponically grown under NH4 +, NO3 - and 50% NH4 +/NO3 -. We found that leaf N significantly accumulated under NH4 +, whereas the photosynthesis was significantly decreased, which was mainly caused by a reduced g m. The reduced g m under NH4 + was related to the decreased intercellular air space, the reduced chloroplast number and especially the thicker cell walls. Among the cell wall components, lignin and hemicellulose contents under NH4 + nutrition were significantly higher than those in the other two N forms and were scaled negatively correlated with g m; while pectin content was independent from N forms. Pathway analysis further revealed that the cell wall components might indirectly regulate g m by influencing the thickness of the cell wall. These results highlight the importance of leaf anatomical variation characterized by modifications of chloroplasts number and cell wall thickness and compositions, in the regulation of photosynthesis in response to varied N sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Cao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jangsu, China
| | - Yonghui Pan
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jangsu, China
| | - Yating Yang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jangsu, China
| | - Tianheng Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jangsu, China
| | - Min Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jangsu, China
| | - Yong Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shiwei Guo
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jangsu, China
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Wei X, Han L, Xu N, Sun M, Yang X. Nitrate nitrogen enhances the efficiency of photoprotection in Leymus chinensis under drought stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1348925. [PMID: 38419774 PMCID: PMC10899514 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1348925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Global climate change exerts a significant impact on the nitrogen supply and photosynthesis ability in land-based plants. The photosynthetic capacity of dominant grassland species is important if we are to understand carbon cycling under climate change. Drought stress is one of the major factors limiting plant photosynthesis, and nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient involved in the photosynthetic activity of leaves. The regulatory mechanisms responsible for the effects of ammonium (NH4 +) and nitrate (NO3 -) on the drought-induced photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII) in plants have yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, there is a significant need to gain a better understanding of the role of electron transport in the photoinhibition of PSII. Methods In the present study, we conducted experiments with normal watering (LD), severe drought (MD), and extreme drought (HD) treatments, along with no nitrogen (N0), ammonium (NH4), nitrate (NO3), and mixed nitrogen (NH4NO3) treatments. We analyzed pigment accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, photosynthetic enzyme activity, photosystem activity, electron transport, and O-J-I-P kinetics. Results Analysis showed that increased nitrate application significantly increased the leaf chlorophyll content per unit area (Chlarea) and nitrogen content per unit area (Narea) (p< 0.05). Under HD treatment, ROS levels were lower in NO3-treated plants than in N0 plants, and there was no significant difference in photosynthetic enzyme activity between plants treated with NO3 and NH4NO3. Under drought stress, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), PSII electron transport rate (ETR), and effective quantum yield of PSII (φPSII) were significant higher in NO3-treated plants (p< 0.05). Importantly, the K-band and G-band were higher in NO3-treated plants. Discussion These results suggest that drought stress hindered the formation of NADPH and ATP in N0 and NH4-treated L. chinensis plants, thus damaging the donor side of the PSII oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). After applying nitrate, higher photosynthetic enzyme and antioxidant enzyme activity not only protected PSII from photodamage under drought stress but also reduced the rate of damage in PSII during the growth of L. chinensis growth under drought stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Wei
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Resources Science and Green Production, Jilin Normal University, Siping, China
| | - Lin Han
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Resources Science and Green Production, Jilin Normal University, Siping, China
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Nan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province for Cold-Regions Wetlands Ecology and Environment Research, and School of Geography and Tourism, Harbin University, Harbin, China
| | - Mingyue Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Resources Science and Green Production, Jilin Normal University, Siping, China
| | - Xuechen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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Khattak WA, He J, Sun J, Ali I, Bilal W, Zahoor, Khan KA, Wang Y, Zhou Z. Foliar melatonin ameliorates drought-induced alterations in enzyme activities of sugar and nitrogen metabolisms in cotton leaves. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2023; 175:e14011. [PMID: 37882261 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Sugar and nitrogen metabolisms help plants maintain cellular homeostasis, stress tolerance, and sustainable growth in drought conditions. Melatonin, a potent antioxidant and signaling molecule, appears to mitigate the negative impacts of drought on plants. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of foliar-applied melatonin in ameliorating drought-induced alterations in leaf sugar and nitrogen metabolisms' enzyme activities during cotton flowering and boll formation. To date, no study has examined drought-induced sugar and nitrogen metabolisms' enzyme activity changes in cotton treated with foliar melatonin. Drought levels (FC1 = 75 ± 5%, FC2 = 60 ± 5%, and FC3 = 45 ± 5%) were maintained between 3 and 35 days after flowering (DAF), and melatonin (M) concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 μmol L-1 ) were applied at 3 and 21 DAF in a completely randomized design. M100 concentrations at low FC levels significantly enhanced leaf sugar and N-metabolic enzyme activities, such as sucrose synthase (65.56%) and glutamine synthetase (55.24%), compared to plants not treated with melatonin; peaking between 7 and 21 DAF and declining gradually with crop growth. Moreover, the M100 concentrations at all FC levels, particularly FC3, significantly increased the relative expression of GhSusB, GhSusC, SPS1, and SPS3 genes, indicating that melatonin improves leaf sugar and N-metabolism enzymatic activities under drought stress. Therefore, applying M100 concentrations to cotton foliage under FC3 conditions during reproductive stages improves leaf water status, sugar, and N-metabolism enzyme activities, demonstrating melatonin's potent anti-stress, osmoregulatory, and growth-promoting properties in overcoming drought stress in cotton crops. Future research into the molecular mechanisms of melatonin-mediated sugar and nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities in cotton leaves may lead to biotechnological methods to improve drought resilience in cotton and other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajid Ali Khattak
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jiaqi He
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jianfan Sun
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Iftikhar Ali
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Wasim Bilal
- Agricultural Research Institute, Mingora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Zahoor
- Biofuels Institute, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Applied College, Mahala Campus and the Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production/Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Youhua Wang
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production (JCIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhou
- College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
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