Nutritional quality and health risk of pepper fruit as affected by magnesium fertilization

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Magnesium (Mg) fertilization is a promising practice to improve vegetable yield. However, its impacts on vegetable quality and human health have not been examined. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of varying Mg fertilization rates on yield and quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit. Furthermore, result of the field experiment was linked to pepper consumption data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) framework to evaluate the potential health impact of Mg fertilization for the first time. RESULTS: Compared to control, Mg fertilization increased the 2-year average pepper yield by 25.6%, whereas there was no significant yield improvement when Mg rates exceeded 112.5 kg MgO ha −1. Magnesium application increased concentrations of Mg and capsaicinoids, decreased those of calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn) and vitamin C (Vc), and had no effect on potassium (K) and iron (Fe) in pepper fruit. As a result, Mg fertilization decreased the comprehensive nutrition level of pepper by 16.6%. Furthermore, the current health burden of the Chinese adult population associated with pepper consumption is estimated at 21.3 million DALYs per year, with the risk being increased by 5.40 DALYs for per megagram of Mg fertilizer application. Increasing health risk was mainly attributed to decreasing concentrations of Ca and Vc in pepper fruit, though the increased Mg intakes offset the impact of 1.74% to 14.4%. CONCLUSION: Magnesium fertilization significantly improved the yield but reduced nutritional quality of pepper fruit, and increased human health risks associated with consumption of pepper fruit.

Short planks in the crop nutrient barrel theory of China are changing: Evidence from 15 crops in 13 provinces

“…Borowski and Michalek (2010) reported that this is likely associated with the “yield thinning effect.” However, the yield of pepper in Guizhou did not increase. In this study, the residual soluble Mg in the soil was highly likely to be excessive because pepper and cabbage in Guizhou are rotation systems, which may inhibit intracellular enzyme activity and reduce the absorption of K, thereby reducing the Vc and WSP concentrations (Besford, 1975; Liu, Huang, Tan, Chen, & Ou, 2021;Lu et al, 2020; Lu et al, 2021).…”

“…Due to the reduction in Mg concentrations in crops and changes in dietary habits, human subhealth caused by Mg deficiency is becoming increasingly serious (Fan et al, 2008; Lopez‐Ridaura et al, 2004; Rosanoff, 2013). Therefore, the appropriate application of Mg fertilizer not only improves crop yield and quality but also alleviates human health risks (Lu et al, 2020; Lu et al, 2021). Moreover, the premise of reasonable fertilization is to assess the nutrient abundance and deficiency of crops.…”

Role of calcium and magnesium on dramatic physiological and anatomical responses in tomato plants

“…Ca and Mg through Lebosol application were recommended fertilizer and therapeutic agent when used in optimum amount Martinez et al (2020). Crop growth and yield can be improved through mineral fertilization and therapeutic agent for cell defaults as a treatment for pathogenic harms and different abuses during physiological processes in plants (Lu et al, 2021). Also, Mg-availability in leaf increases palisade layer thickness and stem xylem ratio, vessel diameters, and the total area of phloem elements.…”

Pomelo Green Production on Acidic Soil: Reduce Traditional Fertilizers, but Do Not Ignore Magnesium

“…Although the yield under OPT was not significantly different from that under FP, OPT+Mg resulted in an 8.77% higher yield than FP (Table 2). Many other orchard experiments also revealed that Mg enhances the yield and quality of pear (Fawzi et al, 2010), vine grapes (Zlámalová et al, 2015), wax gourd (Zhang B. et al, 2020), and pepper (Lu et al, 2021). In short, to facilitate the sustainable and green development of agriculture in Mg-deficient regions, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation among governments, enterprises, and institutions to guide farmers (Zhang et al, 2016) to use the Mg fertilizer scientifically while reducing the application of N, P and K fertilizers.…”