Protein Hydrolysates and Mo-Biofortification Interactively Modulate Plant Performance and Quality of ‘Canasta’ Lettuce Grown in a Protected Environment

Abstract

Since the use of protein hydrolysates (PHs) enhances overall plant performance and quality of vegetables, they might be considered as a toll to face a number of concerns essentially associated to the growing request of premium quality foodstuff realized in agreement with eco-friendly agriculture practices. Molybdenum (Mo) is considered a fundamental trace element for human body. Thus, its shortage determines several disorders mainly related to neurological lesion and esophageal cancer. Biofortification of fruiting and leafy vegetables is a promising tool to prevent Mo deficiency in the human diet. The current study was carried out to assess the interactive effect of plant-derived PHs and Mo dosage (0.0, 0.5, 3.0, and 6.0 µmol L−1) on yield, morphology, nutritional and functional features, and nitrogen indices of ‘Canasta’ lettuce. Head fresh weight (HFW), head height (HH), ascorbic acid, K, Mg, total chlorophyll, as well as nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) index were positively correlated to PHs application. Furthermore, ascorbic acid and total chlorophyll were also improved by Mo supply. A great improvement in terms of soluble solid content (SSC), total sugars, total phenolic, carotenoids, Mo and N concentrations, nitrogen uptake efficiency (UE), and nitrogen physiological efficiency (PUE) indices was recorded when PHs application was combined with the highest Mo dosage (6.0 µmol L−1). Consequently, our results suggest that Mo-biofortification and PHs application can positively modulate ‘Canasta’ lettuce plant performance and quality.

Seaweed Extract Improves Lagenaria siceraria Young Shoot Production, Mineral Profile and Functional Quality

“…There are researches on the favourable effect of diverse plant biostimulants on the marketable yield of various vegetables [22,28]. In this respect, the results of the present study are in agreement with those reported by Ali et al [40], who underlined that Ascophyllum nodosum-based SwE improved tomato yield in a soilless system by 54% compared with the control.…”

“…Thus, there are considerable research efforts to find new green cultivation technologies to boost the yield and quality of vegetables. In regard to these considerations, biostimulant applications is a valuable and eco-friendly technology to improve vegetable quality traits [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Among different classes of biostimulants, seaweed extracts (SwEs) are very appreciated.…”

“…They are composed of different types of seaweeds, although the most used in agriculture are brown algae (e.g., Ecklonia maxima and Ascophillum nodosum). These algae are appreciated for their content of polysaccharides, betaines, micro-and macronutrients and hormones, which improve plant production and overall quality [22,25,26]. Their positive effects on plants under optimal, sub-optimal or unfavourable conditions are related to several biochemical and physiological mechanisms such as the elicitation of enzymes involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolic paths, the stimulation of phytohormones synthesis and the improvement in mineral uptake and accumulation through the increase of the root system size [27][28][29].…”

Application of PGPB Combined with Variable N Doses Affects Growth, Yield-Related Traits, N-Fertilizer Efficiency and Nutritional Status of Lettuce Grown under Controlled Condition

“…Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a cool-season leafy vegetable grown in all regions [1,2]. Currently, more than a million hectares are cultivated with a production of more than 22 million tons [3].…”

Impact on Glucose Homeostasis: Is Food Biofortified with Molybdenum a Workable Solution? A Two-Arm Study

“…Recent studies in humans suggest that molybdenum could exert hypoglycemic effects [ 17 , 18 ]. However, although there are reports on leafy green vegetables biofortification with trace elements [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] including molybdenum [ 23 , 24 , 25 ], there are no studies about the consumption of biofortified food with molybdenum on glucose homeostasis in individuals and the mechanism of action has never been investigated. In this manuscript it was hypothesized that the consumption of biofortified food with molybdenum affects glucose homeostasis by influencing endogenous gut hormones in the healthy population.…”