Effects of soil nutrients and microbe symbiosis on the nutrient assimilation rates, growth carbon cost and phytochemicals in Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC

A simple, green, and cost-effective synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles particles (NPs) using an extract of Mucuna pruriens utilis is reported. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM measurements. XRD results showed diffraction patterns that are consistent with the hexagonal phase of the wurtzite ZnO structure. Spherical morphology with irregular size and particle distribution was confirmed by the microscopic characterization. The antioxidant activity of the nanoparticles showed a concentration-dependent profile with an IC50 of 4.10 µg mL− 1, which was quite lower than that of the standard ascorbic acid (4.72 µg mL− 1), and indicated a significant free radical scavenging activity of the nanomaterials. The cytotoxicity properties of the nanoparticles were evaluated against human cancer cell lines HeLa and HEK 293 by the MTT assay, and the anticancer drug (5-Fluorouracil) was used as a control. The results showed selective toxicity of the nanoparticles towards cancerous cell lines and non-toxicity to normal cells. The study provides a simple and non-toxic protocol for biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications as anticancer and antioxidant agents. However, further studies are necessary to ascertain the biochemical reactions and mechanisms responsible for the antioxidant and anticancer activities.

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Soil capacity to biomass production in sandy loam soils following cover crop farming systems in tropical conditions in the Northeast region of Brazil

Nascimento,

Souza,

da Silva

et al. 2024

Soil Res.

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Context Soil capacity to biomass production (SC) sheds light on soil health and its capacity to sustain high primary production. However, the currently existing models are based on rather local data, and thus there is a lack of predictive tools to monitor SC. Aims Our aim was to assess the influence of cover crops on soil chemical properties by considering their different behaviours (biomass production and root density). Methods We characterised soil chemical properties, and plant biomass production during 6 years in field conditions at a tropical soil. Key results Our findings suggest that: (1) green manure practice improved Ca2+, K+, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, but none of the studied cover crops were able to improve soil P content; and (2) we found three groups of green manure by considering the SC reduction, namely G1 (low SC reduction) that comprises Crotalaria ochroleuca and Neonotonia wightii, G2 (medium SC reduction) that comprises Brachiaria decumbens, Pennisetum glaucum, and Crotalaria juncea, and G3 (high SC reduction) that comprises Mucuna pruriens, Canavalia ensiformis, Crotalaria spectabilis, Dolichos lablab, and Stizolobium aterrimum. Conclusion We concluded that after 3 years during which soil parameters and the production of most, but not all, cover crops have increased, the deficiency in P did not allow plants to grow well anymore. Implications This study highlights the importance to consider predictive models as a tool to be used in soil management. Our study also provides a deeper view about the use of green manure and their influence on soil capacity to biomass production.

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Effects of soil nutrients and microbe symbiosis on the nutrient assimilation rates, growth carbon cost and phytochemicals in Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC

Cited by 4 publications

References 70 publications

Bayesian Inference of Soil Traits from Green Manure Fields in a Tropical Sandy Soil

Bayesian Inference of Soil Traits from Green Manure Fields in a Tropical Sandy Soil

Biosynthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Using the Aqueous Extract of Mucuna pruriens (utilis): Structural Characterization, and the Anticancer and Antioxidant Activities

Soil capacity to biomass production in sandy loam soils following cover crop farming systems in tropical conditions in the Northeast region of Brazil

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