Screening of spermidine-mediated improvement of plant growth, photosynthetic performance, metabolites, and nutrition acquisition in six cabbage varieties
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The rising global demand for sustainable agricultural practices highlights the need for interventions that enhance plant growth and nutritional content. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of spermidine, both in free (SP1) and nanocapsulated (SP-N) forms, on various cabbage varieties, including VAR1: Brassica oleracea var. scarlet kale (Ka-Scarlet), VAR12: Brassica oleracea var. dwarf blue curled kale (Ka-red), VAR3: Brassica oleracea var. collard (Vates) (Collard), VAR4: ( Brassica oleracea var. italica) (Broccoli), VAR5: Brassica oleracea var. lacinato (Kale), and VAR6: Brassica oleracea var. long island (Brussels), specifically targeting their growth parameters and nutritional composition. Treatments included a control group, free spermidine, and nanocapsulated spermidine, with applications every 10 days for two months. The results revealed that free spermidine (SP1) significantly enhanced growth parameters, resulting in notable increases in fresh shoot weight, leaf count, and root biomass across all strains. Most importantly, it improved the levels of glucosinolates such as glucoraphanin, gluconapin, glucobrassicin, and gluconasturtiin. Conversely, nanocapsulated spermidine (SP-N) was more effective in boosting photosynthetic pigment and antioxidant capacities, suggesting a distinct advantage in nutritional characteristics. Both treatments increased proline and protein content, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and overall antioxidant activity across all varieties, indicating their potential to improve growth and nutritional quality. Among the tested cabbage varieties, VAR2 exhibited the most significant responses, showing the highest values for fresh shoot weight, leaf count, fresh and dry root weights, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, VAR2 exhibited higher levels of glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin than the other variants. These findings suggest that cabbage breeders can leverage the application of spermidine, particularly in its nanocapsulated form, to enhance growth and nutritional quality in their cultivars, ultimately leading to more resilient and nutrient-rich cabbage varieties.
Source: South African Journal of Botany
Authors: Maryam Haghighi, Ali Alviri, Noémi Kappel
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,750
OpenAlex ID: W4406507585