Smart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivation
Abstract The increasing global demand for sustainable food production, coupled with the micronutrient limitations of aquaponic systems, calls for innovative fertilization strategies that enhance crop yield and nutritional quality while preserving environmental integrity. This study evaluates the eff...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03136-y |
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| author | Davide Frassine Roberto Braglia Francesco Scuderi Enrico Luigi Redi Federica Valentini Michela Relucenti Irene Angela Colasanti Camilla Zaratti Andrea Macchia Ivo Allegrini Angelo Gismondi Gabriele Di Marco Antonella Canini |
| author_facet | Davide Frassine Roberto Braglia Francesco Scuderi Enrico Luigi Redi Federica Valentini Michela Relucenti Irene Angela Colasanti Camilla Zaratti Andrea Macchia Ivo Allegrini Angelo Gismondi Gabriele Di Marco Antonella Canini |
| author_sort | Davide Frassine |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The increasing global demand for sustainable food production, coupled with the micronutrient limitations of aquaponic systems, calls for innovative fertilization strategies that enhance crop yield and nutritional quality while preserving environmental integrity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of zinc-functionalized calcium carbonate microparticles (Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ MPs) as a smart foliar fertilizer in aquaponics. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Principe Borghese) were grown in a recirculating aquaponic system and treated with three concentrations of Zn-MPs (10, 50, and 250 ppm) via foliar spray, using a control group treated with water. Each treatment was applied to 15 plants under controlled greenhouse conditions. Yield parameters, antioxidant content, and nutritional quality were assessed. The 250 ppm treatment significantly increased yield per plant (+ 74.9%), number of fruits (+ 44.4%), and average fruit weight (+ 22.1%) compared to control. Antioxidant activity, phenolic, flavonoid, and lycopene content were also enhanced, particularly at the highest dose. Importantly, no increase in zinc was detected in recirculating water, highlighting the environmental safety of foliar application. These findings underscore the potential of Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ MPs as a sustainable solution for precision fertilization in aquaponic agriculture. Further molecular and environmental studies are recommended to optimize and scale this technology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-115542fafcf0439fb6ed69bb00cf05a9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-115542fafcf0439fb6ed69bb00cf05a92025-08-20T01:53:23ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-03136-ySmart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivationDavide Frassine0Roberto Braglia1Francesco Scuderi2Enrico Luigi Redi3Federica Valentini4Michela Relucenti5Irene Angela Colasanti6Camilla Zaratti7Andrea Macchia8Ivo Allegrini9Angelo Gismondi10Gabriele Di Marco11Antonella Canini12Biology Department , Tor Vergata University of Rome Biology Department , Tor Vergata University of Rome Biology Department , Tor Vergata University of Rome Biology Department , Tor Vergata University of Rome Sciences and Chemical Technologies Department, Tor Vergata University of RomeDepartment of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics Section of Human Anatomy, Electron Microscopy Unit, University of Rome SapienzaSciences and Chemical Technologies Department, Tor Vergata University of RomeSciences and Chemical Technologies Department, Tor Vergata University of RomeYOCOCU, YOuth in COnservation of CUltural HeritageEnvint SrlBiology Department , Tor Vergata University of Rome Biology Department , Tor Vergata University of Rome Biology Department , Tor Vergata University of Rome Abstract The increasing global demand for sustainable food production, coupled with the micronutrient limitations of aquaponic systems, calls for innovative fertilization strategies that enhance crop yield and nutritional quality while preserving environmental integrity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of zinc-functionalized calcium carbonate microparticles (Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ MPs) as a smart foliar fertilizer in aquaponics. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Principe Borghese) were grown in a recirculating aquaponic system and treated with three concentrations of Zn-MPs (10, 50, and 250 ppm) via foliar spray, using a control group treated with water. Each treatment was applied to 15 plants under controlled greenhouse conditions. Yield parameters, antioxidant content, and nutritional quality were assessed. The 250 ppm treatment significantly increased yield per plant (+ 74.9%), number of fruits (+ 44.4%), and average fruit weight (+ 22.1%) compared to control. Antioxidant activity, phenolic, flavonoid, and lycopene content were also enhanced, particularly at the highest dose. Importantly, no increase in zinc was detected in recirculating water, highlighting the environmental safety of foliar application. These findings underscore the potential of Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ MPs as a sustainable solution for precision fertilization in aquaponic agriculture. Further molecular and environmental studies are recommended to optimize and scale this technology.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03136-yTomatoAquaponicsSmart fertilizerZn-Alg-CaCO3 MPsPrecision agriculture |
| spellingShingle | Davide Frassine Roberto Braglia Francesco Scuderi Enrico Luigi Redi Federica Valentini Michela Relucenti Irene Angela Colasanti Camilla Zaratti Andrea Macchia Ivo Allegrini Angelo Gismondi Gabriele Di Marco Antonella Canini Smart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivation Scientific Reports Tomato Aquaponics Smart fertilizer Zn-Alg-CaCO3 MPs Precision agriculture |
| title | Smart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivation |
| title_full | Smart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivation |
| title_fullStr | Smart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Smart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivation |
| title_short | Smart foliar fertilizer based on Zn-Alg-CaCO₃ microparticles improves Aquaponic tomato cultivation |
| title_sort | smart foliar fertilizer based on zn alg caco₃ microparticles improves aquaponic tomato cultivation |
| topic | Tomato Aquaponics Smart fertilizer Zn-Alg-CaCO3 MPs Precision agriculture |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03136-y |
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