Effects of Root and Foliar Application of Corn Steep Liquor on Pepper Plants: A Physiological, Nutritional, and Morphological Study

Abstract

The industrial washing of corn grain during its milling generates a residue known as “corn steep liquor (CSL)”. This residue is rich in amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and mineral nutrients that can stimulate the vegetative growth when applied to plants. However, the mode of action of this product is not yet known. This work involved the foliar and root application to pepper plants, at a dose of 5 mL L−1, of two CSL products (CSL-H and CSL-B), which differ in the way they have been stabilized. In both cases, the size of the plants was increased, root application being more efficient than foliar. According to the studies carried out, this was because the CSL products increased the synthesis of hormones related to cell division and elongation, the net assimilation rate of CO2, and the concentrations of the amino acids alanine, proline, and tryptophan. In addition, root application of CSL-H also increased the concentrations of arginine, isoleucine, leucine, and cysteine. These data suggest that the mode of action of these products is related to regulation, synthesis of hormones, and the stimulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism, the CSL-H treatment being the one that produced the most changes in the amino acids analyzed.

Combined Application of Myo-Inositol and Corn Steep Liquor from Agricultural Waste Alleviate Salt Stress in Brassica rapa

“…Additionally, carotenoids, functioning as antioxidants, may protect plants from the effects of reactive oxygen species [ 35 ]. Navarro-Morillo et al demonstrated that the exogenous root application of CSL alleviated the adverse impact of salt stress on plant photosynthesis [ 11 ]. Similarly, MI enhanced photosynthesis in plants by increasing the content of photosynthetic pigments and stomatal conductivity [ 25 ].…”

“…Corn steep liquor (CSL), a concentrated byproduct from corn starch production, is an acidic viscous liquid rich in various nutrients, including amino acids, sugars, proteins, vitamins, and minerals [ 10 ]. The diverse nutritional composition of CSL allows for versatile applications across various fields, such as additives in biotechnological production media, animal feed, surfactant production, and a component in biostimulants [ 11 ]. The presence of bioactive molecules such as organic acids and plant growth regulators in CSL provides a basis for its use in soil improvement and biostimulant research [ 12 ].…”

Is the application of bioactive anti‐stress substances with a seaweed‐derived biostimulant effective under adequate growth conditions?

“…AAs were extracted and analyzed using a UHPLC system equipped with a fluorescence detector following the method described by Navarro‐Morillo et al (2023). AAs concentrations were expressed as μg g −1 DW.…”

“…Indoleacetic acid (IAA), gibberellins (GA, GA1 + GA3 + GA4), cytokinins [CKs: trans‐zeatin (tZ) + isopentenyl adenine (iP)], ABA, aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC, as precursor of ethylene), SA, and jasmonic acid (JA) were analyzed as described by Navarro‐Morillo et al (2023) using a U‐HPLC‐MS system. The concentration of phytohomones was expressed as ng g −1 DW.…”

Unraveling the potential and constraints associated with corn steep liquor as a nutrient source for industrial fermentations

“…A "shoulder" precedes the maximum OTR of 17 mmol/L/h, after which a drop in OTR was observed, indicating the depletion of the initial carbon source. Since carbon is not abundant in pure CSL, 14,58 the formation of overflow metabolites is not expected. As a result of the consumption of lactate, as well as proteins and amino acids in CSL, 1,44,45 the final pH value was increased (Figure 4b).…”