The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach
Aside from its importance in human and animal health, low levels of foliar-applied selenate (SeO<sub>4</sub>) can be advantageous in the presence of sulfur (S), contributing to improved growth, nutrient uptake, and crop quality. A hydroponic experiment in a growth chamber explored the in...
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12766 |
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| author | Kashif Saeed Fatiha Kalam Nisa Muna Ali Abdalla Karl Hermann Mühling |
| author_facet | Kashif Saeed Fatiha Kalam Nisa Muna Ali Abdalla Karl Hermann Mühling |
| author_sort | Kashif Saeed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aside from its importance in human and animal health, low levels of foliar-applied selenate (SeO<sub>4</sub>) can be advantageous in the presence of sulfur (S), contributing to improved growth, nutrient uptake, and crop quality. A hydroponic experiment in a growth chamber explored the interactive influence of Se and S on micronutrients and several quality indices, such as soluble sugars, organic acids, and total protein concentrations in spinach (<i>Spinacia oleracea</i> L.). Three levels of S (deprivation, adequate, and excessive) with varying quantities of Se (deficient, moderate, and higher) were examined in combination. Under S starvation and along with S nourishment in plant parts, Se treatments were found to cause noticeable variations in plant biomass and the concentrations of the examined elements and other quality parameters. Both Se levels promoted S accumulation in S-treated plants. Although the Se treatment had the opposite effect in shoots, it had a favorable impact on minerals (apart from Mn) in roots grown under S-limiting conditions. The S and Se relationship highlighted beneficial and/or synergistic effects for Mn and Fe in edible spinach portions. Reducing sugars were synergistically boosted by adequate S and moderate Se levels in roots, while in shoots, they were accumulated under moderate-or-higher Se and excessive S. Furthermore, the concentration of the quantified organic acids under S-deficient conditions was aided by various Se levels. In roots, moderate Se under high S application enhanced both malic acid and citric acid, while in the edible parts, higher Se under both adequate and elevated S levels were found to be advantageous in malic acid accumulation. Moreover, by elevating S levels in plant tissues, total protein concentration increased, whereas both moderate and high Se levels (Se1 and Se2) did not alter total protein accumulation in high S-applied roots and shoots. Our findings show that the high S and medium Se dose together benefit nutrient uptake; additionally, their combinations support soluble sugars and organic acids accumulation, contributing ultimately to the nutritional quality of spinach plants. Moreover, consuming 100 g of fresh red spinach shoot enriched with different Se and S levels can contribute to humans’ daily micronutrients intake. |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:52:33Z |
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| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c4a4a5c048f4684b622a8c6690419652023-11-19T01:29:10ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-08-0124161276610.3390/ijms241612766The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red SpinachKashif Saeed0Fatiha Kalam Nisa1Muna Ali Abdalla2Karl Hermann Mühling3Institute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 2, 24118 Kiel, GermanyInstitute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 2, 24118 Kiel, GermanyInstitute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 2, 24118 Kiel, GermanyInstitute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 2, 24118 Kiel, GermanyAside from its importance in human and animal health, low levels of foliar-applied selenate (SeO<sub>4</sub>) can be advantageous in the presence of sulfur (S), contributing to improved growth, nutrient uptake, and crop quality. A hydroponic experiment in a growth chamber explored the interactive influence of Se and S on micronutrients and several quality indices, such as soluble sugars, organic acids, and total protein concentrations in spinach (<i>Spinacia oleracea</i> L.). Three levels of S (deprivation, adequate, and excessive) with varying quantities of Se (deficient, moderate, and higher) were examined in combination. Under S starvation and along with S nourishment in plant parts, Se treatments were found to cause noticeable variations in plant biomass and the concentrations of the examined elements and other quality parameters. Both Se levels promoted S accumulation in S-treated plants. Although the Se treatment had the opposite effect in shoots, it had a favorable impact on minerals (apart from Mn) in roots grown under S-limiting conditions. The S and Se relationship highlighted beneficial and/or synergistic effects for Mn and Fe in edible spinach portions. Reducing sugars were synergistically boosted by adequate S and moderate Se levels in roots, while in shoots, they were accumulated under moderate-or-higher Se and excessive S. Furthermore, the concentration of the quantified organic acids under S-deficient conditions was aided by various Se levels. In roots, moderate Se under high S application enhanced both malic acid and citric acid, while in the edible parts, higher Se under both adequate and elevated S levels were found to be advantageous in malic acid accumulation. Moreover, by elevating S levels in plant tissues, total protein concentration increased, whereas both moderate and high Se levels (Se1 and Se2) did not alter total protein accumulation in high S-applied roots and shoots. Our findings show that the high S and medium Se dose together benefit nutrient uptake; additionally, their combinations support soluble sugars and organic acids accumulation, contributing ultimately to the nutritional quality of spinach plants. Moreover, consuming 100 g of fresh red spinach shoot enriched with different Se and S levels can contribute to humans’ daily micronutrients intake.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12766SSemicronutrientsmolybdenumzincmanganese |
| spellingShingle | Kashif Saeed Fatiha Kalam Nisa Muna Ali Abdalla Karl Hermann Mühling The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach International Journal of Molecular Sciences S Se micronutrients molybdenum zinc manganese |
| title | The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach |
| title_full | The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach |
| title_fullStr | The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach |
| title_short | The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach |
| title_sort | interplay of sulfur and selenium enabling variations in micronutrient accumulation in red spinach |
| topic | S Se micronutrients molybdenum zinc manganese |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12766 |
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