A Novel Mineral Composition Increases Soybean Crop Yield by Mitigating Stress Induced by Ultraviolet-A and -B Radiation

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is an important environmental abiotic stress that consistently affects the yield potential of agricultural crops causing hidden yield losses; few practical solutions are available for protecting large-scale field cultivation. Here, we assess the protective effect of a novel mineral composition principally based upon a concentrated suspension of microparticles of crystalline and insoluble quartz sand applied as foliar spray over the top of plants to mitigate the stress effects of UV-A or UV-B radiation. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) plants were cultivated under three alternative UVR exposure scenarios (no UV, +UV-A, +UV-B) to compare sprayed and unsprayed plants. Measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents demonstrated the effects of +UV-A and +UV-B on plants and the effectiveness of the foliar spray in mitigating such stress. Biometric assessment showed that root weight, foliar biomass and number of pods of unsprayed plants were negatively impacted by both +UV-A and +UV-B; whereas, in sprayed plants, the damages for both +UV-A and +UV-B were almost entirely mitigated. The results of this study endorse the use of quartz sand microparticles as a promising tool for growers to achieve sustainable yields in soybeans and potentially other field crops in the face of increasing challenges due to climate change.

UV-A Radiation Stimulates Tolerance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in Tomato Plants

“…ROS play a dual role in organisms, since they are not only the cause of cellular lipid peroxidation, but also act as signaling molecules and activators of secondary antioxidant metabolites that inhibit their oxidative damage [50]. The production of ROS, either by the pathogen or by the UV effect, can cause an increase in the peroxidation levels of the membrane lipids, increasing the MDA content [51]. In the present study, the positive control (FOL) and the UV2 + FOL treatment led to the highest MDA content, which indicates a clear detrimental effect on the plants as exerted by the pathogen; in addition, a hormetic effect has been observed following supplementation with UV-A radiation [17].…”