Work

Biochelate as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic chelate for micronutrients supply in tomato grown under alkaline conditions: A multi-omics approach

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Micronutrients availability is limited under alkaline conditions. • Biochelate (peptides) and synthetic chelate (EDTA) effects were explored on tomato. • Chelate type and their rate did not change the morpho-physiological traits. • EDTA was more effective in enhancing leaf concentration of Zn and Cu. • Biochelate enhanced phenolic pathways and antioxidant defences. The increasing incidence of soil alkalinity, which is closely related to drought conditions, seriously affects crop productivity and quality by reducing micronutrient availability for plant uptake. Synthetic-chelates based fertilizers are successfully used for micronutrient supply to crops under alkaline conditions; however, several concerns have been raised on the environmental and human health impacts of synthetic chelates resulting from their accumulation in plant tissues and their ability to mobilize heavy metals in the soil-plant system. Biochelate-based fertilizers could be an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic products for micronutrient supply. This study investigated the effect of two micronutrients-based fertilizers containing different chelating agents [vegetal-derived peptides as biochelate, and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as synthetic chelate] at three rates on morpho-physiological traits, mineral composition and metabolic profile of leaves in tomato plants grown under alkaline conditions. A 3D laser scanner was used to monitor growth and health of plants over the growing cycle. Fresh and dry biomass of shoots and roots were not significantly affected by fertilizer type and rate, despite the presence of leaf chlorosis symptoms at lower fertilizer doses. Similarly, the trend of digital biomass, 3D leaf area, plant height and vegetation indices was not affected by treatments. Leaf mineral composition indicated that EDTA-based fertilizer exhibited higher stability for zinc and copper at higher rates in comparison with biochelate-based fertilizer while leaf concentrations of manganese and boron were increased by fertilizer rate independently from the fertilizer type. Metabolomics analysis revealed that biochelate enhanced mainly phenolic compound pathways, supporting antioxidant defenses and modulating cell responses to mitigate stress. These findings indicate that biochelate-based fertilizer is a sustainable alternative to synthetic-chelate based fertilizer for supporting micronutrients nutrition under alkaline conditions.

Source: Scientia Horticulturae

DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114166

Authors: Marzia Leporino, Paolo Bonini, Mariateresa Cardarelli, Youssef Rouphael, Giuseppe Colla

Institutions: Università degli Studi della Tuscia, University of Naples Federico II

Language: English

Topic: Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,000