Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Grown
While forage grasses in southern China exhibit yield and nutritional advantages, the impact of nutrient solutions on alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i> BC<sub>4</sub>) growth and elemental accumulation remains understudied. We conducted a pot-based controlled substrate cultivati...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Jiaqing Li Yingjian Zhu Zhenwu Wei Haowen Chen Chuanjie Wang Kai Cao Xian Zhang |
| author_facet | Jiaqing Li Yingjian Zhu Zhenwu Wei Haowen Chen Chuanjie Wang Kai Cao Xian Zhang |
| author_sort | Jiaqing Li |
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| description | While forage grasses in southern China exhibit yield and nutritional advantages, the impact of nutrient solutions on alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i> BC<sub>4</sub>) growth and elemental accumulation remains understudied. We conducted a pot-based controlled substrate cultivation trial using a nitrogen-poor substrate to compare four treatments: MS, Hoagland, B5 nutrient solutions, and RO water (control). From the V<sub>1</sub> to R<sub>1</sub> stages, the plant height was monitored continuously, with leaf dimensions and soluble proteins (Bradford method) measured at R<sub>1</sub>. ICP-MS quantified macro elements (Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, and Mg<sup>2+</sup>) and microelements (Cu<sup>2+</sup>, Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>, and Zn<sup>2+</sup>). The growth rates followed the order: MS > Hoagland > RO water > B5. Both the MS and Hoagland solutions significantly increased the leaf length at the R<sub>1</sub> stage (<i>p</i> < 0.001 vs control), with Hoagland showing the greatest leaf expansion. The soluble protein content decreased significantly in all groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05) except MS-treated plants. An elemental analysis revealed treatment-specific accumulation patterns, most notably 1.17-fold higher Fe and 1.48-fold higher Mn in the MS group versus control (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Magnesium levels showed no significant differences among treatments. These results demonstrate the MS nutrient solution’s superior efficacy in enhancing the alfalfa growth parameters (height and leaf size) while maintaining the soluble protein content and promoting Fe/Mn accumulation. The findings provide empirical evidence for optimizing alfalfa cultivation in a nitrogen-deficient soil-based mix substrate through nutrient solution selection. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-e43406589956445e8e9e022b9abee6dd2025-08-20T03:14:24ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-04-0115490210.3390/agronomy15040902Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) GrownJiaqing Li0Yingjian Zhu1Zhenwu Wei2Haowen Chen3Chuanjie Wang4Kai Cao5Xian Zhang6College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaInstitute of Environment, Resource, Soil & Fertilizer, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, ChinaInstitute of Environment, Resource, Soil & Fertilizer, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, ChinaWhile forage grasses in southern China exhibit yield and nutritional advantages, the impact of nutrient solutions on alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i> BC<sub>4</sub>) growth and elemental accumulation remains understudied. We conducted a pot-based controlled substrate cultivation trial using a nitrogen-poor substrate to compare four treatments: MS, Hoagland, B5 nutrient solutions, and RO water (control). From the V<sub>1</sub> to R<sub>1</sub> stages, the plant height was monitored continuously, with leaf dimensions and soluble proteins (Bradford method) measured at R<sub>1</sub>. ICP-MS quantified macro elements (Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, and Mg<sup>2+</sup>) and microelements (Cu<sup>2+</sup>, Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>, and Zn<sup>2+</sup>). The growth rates followed the order: MS > Hoagland > RO water > B5. Both the MS and Hoagland solutions significantly increased the leaf length at the R<sub>1</sub> stage (<i>p</i> < 0.001 vs control), with Hoagland showing the greatest leaf expansion. The soluble protein content decreased significantly in all groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05) except MS-treated plants. An elemental analysis revealed treatment-specific accumulation patterns, most notably 1.17-fold higher Fe and 1.48-fold higher Mn in the MS group versus control (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Magnesium levels showed no significant differences among treatments. These results demonstrate the MS nutrient solution’s superior efficacy in enhancing the alfalfa growth parameters (height and leaf size) while maintaining the soluble protein content and promoting Fe/Mn accumulation. The findings provide empirical evidence for optimizing alfalfa cultivation in a nitrogen-deficient soil-based mix substrate through nutrient solution selection.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/4/902nutrient solutionalfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>)nitrogen-deficient substrateelemental bioaccumulationhydroponic cultivation |
| spellingShingle | Jiaqing Li Yingjian Zhu Zhenwu Wei Haowen Chen Chuanjie Wang Kai Cao Xian Zhang Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Grown Agronomy nutrient solution alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) nitrogen-deficient substrate elemental bioaccumulation hydroponic cultivation |
| title | Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Grown |
| title_full | Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Grown |
| title_fullStr | Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Grown |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Grown |
| title_short | Nutrient Solution Selection Modulates Growth Patterns and Leaf Elemental Accumulation in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Grown |
| title_sort | nutrient solution selection modulates growth patterns and leaf elemental accumulation in alfalfa i medicago sativa i grown |
| topic | nutrient solution alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) nitrogen-deficient substrate elemental bioaccumulation hydroponic cultivation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/4/902 |
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