Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
College of Agric. Mansoura Unive.
2
Soil dept. Fac. of Agric Mansoura University , Mansoura . Egypt
3
agricultural research center
4
Soil, Water and environment Research Institute, Agric. Res. Center, Egypt
5
Mansoura University
Abstract
In our quest to understand the intricate relationship between elements and plant nutrition, we delve into the intriguing question: "Can all elements in the periodic table be beneficial for plant nutrition?" This inquiry is pivotal in unlocking some of nutrients available to plants, potentially revolutionizing agricultural practices and fostering sustainable cultivation methods. Two plants have been chosen for this study: crisphead lettuce and red cabbage. These selected specimens represent a range of botanical species, enabling us to investigate how various plants respond to elemental supplementation with diverse perspectives. Afield experiment was conducted during the 2023/2024 season at the Agricultural Faculty Farm, Mansoura University, Egypt. The tested elements from the periodic table included titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), chromium (Cr) and iodine (I). These elements were administered at two concentrations, 5.0 and 10 mgL-1 via foliar application on the selected plants, alongside a control group with no elemental foliar application. The study identified multiple parameters to evaluate the response of the tested plants to the studied elements. These parameters encompassed various aspects of plant growth, physiology, and biochemical composition. They included fresh and dry weights (g plant-1), plant height (cm), No. of leaves, leaf area (cm2 plant), head weight (g), head diameter (cm), chlorophyll ( SPAD), carotene (mg 100g-1), ascorbic acid (mg 100g-1), total phenol (mg g -1) and catalase activity (mgH2O2/g). All elements studied exhibited significant positive effects on the growth traits and productivity of both crisphead lettuce and red cabbage. Titanium showed the most pronounced impact, followed by iodine, chromium, zirconium, and finally the control group. Additionally, the enhancement in performance and productivity of both tested plants increased with higher element concentration levels from 5.0 to 10 mg L-1. Based on the results obtained, it is recommended that agricultural practitioners consider foliar application of Ti, Zr, Cr and I to enhance the growth and productivity of crisphead lettuce and red cabbage. However, further research is warranted to optimize the application methods and determine the ideal concentration levels for different environmental conditions and plant varieties. Additionally, exploring the mechanisms underlying the observed enhancements could provide valuable insights for developing more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.
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