1. Foliar applications of a Malvaceae-derived protein hydrolysate and its fractions differentially modulate yield and functional traits of tomato under optimal and suboptimal nitrogen application.
- Author
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Cardarelli M, Ceccarelli AV, El Nakhel C, Rouphael Y, Salehi H, Ganugi P, Zhang L, Luigi L, Pii Y, Choi S, Kim HJ, and Colla G
- Subjects
- Lycopene chemistry, Lycopene metabolism, Lycopene analysis, Photosynthesis, Solanum lycopersicum chemistry, Solanum lycopersicum growth & development, Solanum lycopersicum metabolism, Nitrogen metabolism, Fruit chemistry, Fruit metabolism, Fruit growth & development, Plant Leaves chemistry, Plant Leaves metabolism, Plant Leaves growth & development, Protein Hydrolysates chemistry, Plant Proteins metabolism, Plant Proteins chemistry, Fertilizers analysis
- Abstract
Background: Protein hydrolysates (PHs) can enhance plant nitrogen nutrition and improve the quality of vegetables, depending on their bioactive compounds. A tomato greenhouse experiment was conducted under both optimal (14 mM) and suboptimal (2 mM) nitrogen (N-NO
3 ) conditions. Tomatoes were treated with a new Malvaceae-derived PH (MDPH) and its molecular fractions (MDPH1, >10 kDa; MDPH2, 1-10 kDa and MDPH3, <1 kDa)., Results: Under optimal N conditions, the plants increased biomass and fruit yield, and showed a higher photosynthetic pigment content in leaves in comparison with suboptimal N, whereas under N-limiting conditions, an increase in dry matter, soluble solid content (SSC) and lycopene, a reduction in firmness, and changes in organic acid and phenolic compounds were observed. With 14 mM N-NO3 , MDPH3 stimulated an increase in dry weight and increased yield components and lycopene in the fruit. The MDPH2 fraction also resulted in increased lycopene accumulation in fruit under 14 mM N-NO3 . At a low N level, the PH fractions showed distinct effects compared with the whole MDPH and the control, with an increase in biomass for MDPH1 and MDPH2 and a higher pigment content for MDPH3. Regardless of N availability, all the fractions affected fruit quality by increasing SSC, whereas MDPH2 and MDPH3 modified organic acid content and showed a higher concentration of flavonols, lignans, and stilbenes., Conclusion: The molecular weight of the peptides modifies the effect of PHs on plant performance, with different behavior depending on the level of N fertilization, confirming the effectiveness of fractioning processes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)- Published
- 2024
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