Balanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems
Abstract Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a high-value medicinal crop; its slow soil-based cultivation limits yield and risks root loss or contamination. We evaluated how nitrogen form [nitrate (NO3⁻), ammonium (NH4⁺), and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)] affects licorice physiology in four culture sys...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| author | Hamid Reza Roosta Ahmad Estaji Ali Khadivi Mostafakamal Shams |
| author_facet | Hamid Reza Roosta Ahmad Estaji Ali Khadivi Mostafakamal Shams |
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| description | Abstract Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a high-value medicinal crop; its slow soil-based cultivation limits yield and risks root loss or contamination. We evaluated how nitrogen form [nitrate (NO3⁻), ammonium (NH4⁺), and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)] affects licorice physiology in four culture systems: aeroponic, nutrient film technique (NFT), substrate hydroponics (cocopeat: perlite 1:1), and soil. Seedlings (21 days old, 10 cm tall) were transferred into each system in a completely randomized design with three replications and fertigated with modified Hoagland solution (10 mM total N) from day 80 to harvest at day 120. We measured root and shoot Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu by atomic absorption spectroscopy; chlorophyll fluorescence indices (F0, Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm, PIaβs, PItot) using a Pocket PEA fluorimeter; and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities spectrophotometrically. Across all systems, NH4NO3-fed plants showed the highest root and shoot micronutrient concentrations, maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and performance indices (PIaβs, PItot). Sole NH₄⁺ reduced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters but induced the greatest SOD and CAT activities, indicating oxidative stress. NO₃⁻ alone produced intermediate responses, while differences between NH₄NO₃ and NO3 - were modest, suggesting that mixed nutrition stabilizes pH and energy balance during assimilation. Our findings support the hypothesis that balanced NH₄⁺:NO₃⁻ nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient uptake, and antioxidant capacity in licorice irrespective of the cultivation system. Implementing combined N fertilization in soilless and soil systems can accelerate licorice production and improve root quality for pharmaceutical use. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-5fb32b99f9de4832bccefb170683070e2025-08-20T03:04:33ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-11181-wBalanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systemsHamid Reza Roosta0Ahmad Estaji1Ali Khadivi2Mostafakamal Shams3Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak UniversityDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-E-Asr University of RafsanjanDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak UniversityFaculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of LodzAbstract Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a high-value medicinal crop; its slow soil-based cultivation limits yield and risks root loss or contamination. We evaluated how nitrogen form [nitrate (NO3⁻), ammonium (NH4⁺), and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)] affects licorice physiology in four culture systems: aeroponic, nutrient film technique (NFT), substrate hydroponics (cocopeat: perlite 1:1), and soil. Seedlings (21 days old, 10 cm tall) were transferred into each system in a completely randomized design with three replications and fertigated with modified Hoagland solution (10 mM total N) from day 80 to harvest at day 120. We measured root and shoot Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu by atomic absorption spectroscopy; chlorophyll fluorescence indices (F0, Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm, PIaβs, PItot) using a Pocket PEA fluorimeter; and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities spectrophotometrically. Across all systems, NH4NO3-fed plants showed the highest root and shoot micronutrient concentrations, maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and performance indices (PIaβs, PItot). Sole NH₄⁺ reduced chlorophyll fluorescence parameters but induced the greatest SOD and CAT activities, indicating oxidative stress. NO₃⁻ alone produced intermediate responses, while differences between NH₄NO₃ and NO3 - were modest, suggesting that mixed nutrition stabilizes pH and energy balance during assimilation. Our findings support the hypothesis that balanced NH₄⁺:NO₃⁻ nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient uptake, and antioxidant capacity in licorice irrespective of the cultivation system. Implementing combined N fertilization in soilless and soil systems can accelerate licorice production and improve root quality for pharmaceutical use.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11181-wEnzyme activityGlycyrrhiza globraHydroponicPhotosynthesisPlant nutrition |
| spellingShingle | Hamid Reza Roosta Ahmad Estaji Ali Khadivi Mostafakamal Shams Balanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems Scientific Reports Enzyme activity Glycyrrhiza globra Hydroponic Photosynthesis Plant nutrition |
| title | Balanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems |
| title_full | Balanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems |
| title_fullStr | Balanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Balanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems |
| title_short | Balanced ammonium–nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency, micronutrient homeostasis, and antioxidant networks via ROS signaling in Glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems |
| title_sort | balanced ammonium nitrate nutrition enhances photosynthetic efficiency micronutrient homeostasis and antioxidant networks via ros signaling in glycyrrhiza glabra across soil and soilless systems |
| topic | Enzyme activity Glycyrrhiza globra Hydroponic Photosynthesis Plant nutrition |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11181-w |
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