A Systematic Review on Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels on Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) Production in Ethiopia.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) holds significant agricultural and nutritional importance in Ethiopia; yet, its production faces challenges, including suboptimal nitrogen fertilizer management. The aim of this review was to review the possible effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels on the production of cabbage in Ethiopia. Nitrogen fertilization significantly influences cabbage yield and quality. Moderate to high levels of nitrogen application enhance plant growth, leaf area, head weight, and yield. However, excessive nitrogen levels can lead to adverse effects such as delayed maturity, increased susceptibility to pests and diseases, and reduced postharvest quality. In Ethiopia, small-scale farmers use different nitrogen levels for cabbage cultivation. In Ethiopia, NPSB or NPSBZN fertilizers are widely employed for the growing of various crops such as cabbage. 242 kg of NPS and 79 kg of urea are the blanket recommendation for the current production of cabbage in Ethiopia. The existing rate is not conducive for farmers. Therefore, small-scale farmers ought to utilize an optimal and cost-effective nitrogen rate to boost the cabbage yield. Furthermore, the effectiveness of nitrogen fertilization is influenced by various factors including the soil type, climate, cabbage variety, and agronomic practices. Integrated nutrient management approaches, combining nitrogen fertilizers with organic amendments or other nutrients, have shown promise in optimizing cabbage production while minimizing environmental impacts. The government ought to heed suggestions concerning soil characteristics such as the soil type, fertility, and additional factors such as the soil pH level and soil moisture contents.

Exploring the synergistic effects of indole acetic acid (IAA) and compost in the phytostabilization of nickel (Ni) in cauliflower rhizosphere.

Heavy metals (HMs) contamination, owing to their potential links to various chronic diseases, poses a global threat to agriculture, environment, and human health. Nickel (Ni) is an essential element however, at higher concentration, it is highly phytotoxic, and affects major plant functions. Beneficial roles of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and organic amendments in mitigating the adverse impacts of HM on plant growth has gained the attention of scientific community worldwide. Here, we performed a greenhouse study to investigate the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA @ 10- 5 M) and compost (1% w/w) individually and in combination in sustaining cauliflower growth and yield under Ni stress. In our results, combined application proved significantly better than individual applications in alleviating the adverse effects of Ni on cauliflower as it increased various plant attributes such as plant height (49%), root length (76%), curd height and diameter (68 and 134%), leaf area (75%), transpiration rate (36%), stomatal conductance (104%), water use efficiency (143%), flavonoid and phenolic contents (212 and 133%), soluble sugars and protein contents (202 and 199%), SPAD value (78%), chlorophyll 'a and b' (219 and 208%), carotenoid (335%), and NPK uptake (191, 79 and 92%) as compared to the control. Co-application of IAA and compost reduced Ni-induced electrolyte leakage (64%) and improved the antioxidant activities, including APX (55%), CAT (30%), SOD (43%), POD (55%), while reducing MDA and H2O2 contents (77 and 52%) compared to the control. The combined application also reduced Ni uptake in roots, shoots, and curd by 51, 78 and 72% respectively along with an increased relative production index (78%) as compared to the control. Hence, synergistic application of IAA and compost can mitigate Ni induced adverse impacts on cauliflower growth by immobilizing it in the soil.

Exploration the interaction of cadmium and copper toxic effects in pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L) roots through combinatorial transcriptomic and weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

The interaction between cadmium(Cd) and copper(Cu) during combined pollution can lead to more complex toxic effects on humans and plants.However, there is still a lack of sufficient understanding regarding the types of interactions at the plant molecular level and the response strategies of plants to combined pollution. To assess this, we investigated the phenotypic and transcriptomic patterns of pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L) roots in response to individual and combined pollution of Cd and Cu. The results showed that compared to single addition, the translocation factor of heavy metals in roots significantly decreased (p < 0.05) under the combined addition, resulting in higher accumulation of Cd and Cu in the roots. Transcriptomic analysis of pakchoi roots revealed that compared to single pollution, there were 312 and 1926 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specifically regulated in the Cd2Cu20 and Cd2Cu100 combined treatments, respectively. By comparing the expression of these DEGs among different treatments, we found that the combined pollution of Cd and Cu mainly affected the transcriptome of the roots in an antagonistic manner. Enrichment analysis indicated that pakchoi roots upregulated the expression of genes involved in glucosetransferase activity, phospholipid homeostasis, proton transport, and the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids to resist Cd and Cu combined pollution. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified hub genes related to the accumulation of Cd and Cu in the roots, which mainly belonged to the LBD, thaumatin-like protein, ERF, MYB, WRKY, and TCP transcription factor families. This may reflect a transcription factor-driven trade-off strategy between heavy metal accumulation and growth in pakchoi roots. Additionally, compared to single metal pollution, the expression of genes related to Nramp, cation/H+ antiporters, and some belonging to the ABC transporter family in the pakchoi roots was significantly upregulated under combined pollution. This could lead to increased accumulation of Cd and Cu in the roots. These findings provide new insights into the interactions and toxic mechanisms of multiple metal combined pollution at the molecular level in plants.

Study of cabbage antioxidant system response on early infection stage of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris.

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) significantly affects the production of cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables. Plant antioxidant system plays an important role in pathogen invasion and is one of the main mechanisms underlying resistance to biological stress. Therefore, it is important to study the resistance mechanisms of the cabbage antioxidant system during the early stages of Xcc. In this study, 108 CFU/mL (OD600 = 0.1) Xcc race1 was inoculated on "zhonggan 11" cabbage using the spraying method. The effects of Xcc infection on the antioxidant system before and after Xcc inoculation (0, 1, 3, and 5 d) were studied by physiological indexes determination, transcriptome and metabolome analyses. We concluded that early Xcc infection can destroy the balance of the active oxygen metabolism system, increase the generation of free radicals, and decrease the scavenging ability, leading to membrane lipid peroxidation, resulting in the destruction of the biofilm system and metabolic disorders. In response to Xcc infection, cabbage clears a series of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during Xcc infection via various antioxidant pathways. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) increased after Xcc infection, and the ROS scavenging rate increased. The biosynthesis of non-obligate antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), is also enhanced after Xcc infection. Moreover, the alkaloid and vitamin contents increased significantly after Xcc infection. We concluded that cabbage could resist Xcc invasion by maintaining the stability of the cell membrane system and improving the biosynthesis of antioxidant substances and enzymes after infection by Xcc. Our results provide theoretical basis and data support for subsequent research on the cruciferous vegetables resistance mechanism and breeding to Xcc.

Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analyses reveal the role of BoGSTF12 in anthocyanin accumulation in Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra).

BACKGROUND: The vivid red, purple, and blue hues that are observed in a variety of plant fruits, flowers, and leaves are produced by anthocyanins, which are naturally occurring pigments produced by a series of biochemical processes occurring inside the plant cells. The purple-stalked Chinese kale, a popular vegetable that contains anthocyanins, has many health benefits but needs to be investigated further to identify the genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis and translocation in this vegetable. RESULTS: In this study, the purple- and green-stalked Chinese kale were examined using integrative transcriptome and metabolome analyses. The content of anthocyanins such as cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-feruloyl) sophoroside-5-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside (cyanin), and cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-p-hydroxybenzoyl) sophoroside-5-O-glucoside were considerably higher in purple-stalked Chinese kale than in its green-stalked relative. RNA-seq analysis indicated that 23 important anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, including 3 PAL, 2 C4H, 3 4CL, 3 CHS, 1 CHI, 1 F3H, 2 FLS, 2 F3'H, 1 DFR, 3 ANS, and 2 UFGT, along with the transcription factor BoMYB114, were significantly differentially expressed between the purple- and green-stalked varieties. Results of analyzing the expression levels of 11 genes involved in anthocyanin production using qRT-PCR further supported our findings. Association analysis between genes and metabolites revealed a strong correlation between BoGSTF12 and anthocyanin. We overexpressed BoGSTF12 in Arabidopsis thaliana tt19, an anthocyanin transport mutant, and this rescued the anthocyanin-loss phenotype in the stem and rosette leaves, indicating BoGSTF12 encodes an anthocyanin transporter that affects the accumulation of anthocyanins. CONCLUSION: This work represents a key step forward in our understanding of the molecular processes underlying anthocyanin production in Chinese kale. Our comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptome analyses provide important insights into the regulatory system that controls anthocyanin production and transport, while providing a foundation for further research to elucidate the physiological importance of the metabolites found in this nutritionally significant vegetable.

Studies on the Effects of Fermentation on the Phenolic Profile and Biological Activity of Three Cultivars of Kale.

Fermentation is used not only to preserve food but also to enhance its beneficial effects on human health and achieve functional foods. This study aimed to investigate how different treatments (spontaneous fermentation or fermentation with the use of starter culture) affect phenolic content, antioxidant potential, and cholinesterase inhibitory activity in different kale cultivars: 'Halbhoner Grüner Krauser', 'Scarlet', and 'Nero di Toscana'. Chosen samples were further tested for their protective potential against the Caco-2 cell line. HPLC-MS analysis revealed that the fermentation affected the composition of polyphenolic compounds, leading to an increase in the content of rutin, kaempferol, sinapinic, and protocatechuic acids. In general, kale cultivars demonstrated various antioxidant activities, and fermentation led to an increase in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Fermentation boosted anti-cholinesterase activity most profoundly in 'Nero di Toscana'. Extracts of spontaneously fermented 'Scarlet' (SS) and 'Nero di Toscana' (NTS) showed cytoprotective properties, as revealed by the malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) assays. Additionally, strong anti-inflammatory activity of NTS was shown by decreased release of cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α. Collectively, the conducted studies suggest fermented kale cultivars as a potential source for functional foods.

Urea promoted soil microbial community and reduced the residual ciprofloxacin in soil and its uptake by Chinese flowering cabbage.

Antibiotics in agricultural soil can be accumulated in crops and might pose a potential risk to human health. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about the impact of nitrogen fertilizers on the dissipation and uptake of antibiotics in soils. Therefore, our aim in this study is to investigate the effects of urea fertilizer on the residues of ciprofloxacin and its uptake by Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica parachinensis L.) as affected by the associated changes on the soil microbial community. A pot experiment has been conducted using spiked soil with 20 mg ciprofloxacin /kg soil and fertilized with urea at dosages equal to 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 t/ha. Application urea especially at 0.4 t/ha decreased the residue of ciprofloxacin in the soil and its uptake by the roots and its translocation to the shoots of Chinese flowering cabbage. The translocation factors (TFs) for ciprofloxacin were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) only at the treatment of 0.4 t/ha, while no significant difference of bio-concentration factors (BCFs). The average well color development (AWCD) values, Shannon diversity, and richness index were higher in the fertilized than the un-fertilized soils, and all such indicators were greater at the treatment of 0.4 t/ha than at 0.2 and 0.8 t/ha. The carbon substrate utilization of phenolic acids at the treatments of 0.4 t/ha were greater than with other levels of urea fertilizer. In conclusion, moderate urea addition significantly increased soil microbial activity and abundance, which in turn promoted the ciprofloxacin dissipation in soil and plant tissue. The present study provides an economical and operational strategy for the remediation of ciprofloxacin contaminated soils.

Laser capture microdissection transcriptome (LCM RNA-seq) reveals BcDFR is a key gene in anthocyanin synthesis of non-heading Chinese cabbage.

BACKGROUND: Purple non-heading Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris (syn. Brassica rapa) ssp. chinensis] has become popular because of its richness in anthocyanin. However, anthocyanin only accumulates in the upper epidermis of leaves. Further studies are needed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the specific accumulation of it. RESULTS: In this study, we used the laser capture frozen section method (LCM) to divide purple (ZBC) and green (LBC) non-heading Chinese cabbage leaves into upper and lower epidermis parts (Pup represents the purple upper epidermis, Plow represents the purple lower epidermis, Gup represents the green upper epidermis, Glow represents the green lower epidermis). Through transcriptome sequencing, we found that the DIHYDROFLAVONOL 4-REDUCTASE-encoding gene BcDFR, is strongly expressed in Pup but hardly in others (Plow, Gup, Glow). Further, a deletion and insertion in the promoter of BcDFR in LBC were found, which may interfere with BcDFR expression. Subsequent analysis of gene structure and conserved structural domains showed that BcDFR is highly conserved in Brassica species. The predicted protein-protein interaction network of BcDFR suggests that it interacts with almost all functional proteins in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. Finally, the results of the tobacco transient expression also demonstrated that BcDFR promotes the synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanin. CONCLUSIONS: BcDFR is specifically highly expressed on the upper epidermis of purple non-heading Chinese cabbage leaves and regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation. Our study provides new insights into the functional analysis and transcriptional regulatory network of anthocyanin-related genes in purple non-heading Chinese cabbage.

Broccoli extracellular vesicles enhance the therapeutic effects and restore the chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil on colon cancer.

Broccoli contains an amount of biologically active substances, which bring beneficial effects on human health. Plant extracellular vesicles have been shown to be novel key factors in cancer diagnosis and tumor therapy. To date, the challenge of overcoming chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to facilitate the clinical management of colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been successful. Nevertheless, the functions of broccoli extracellular vesicles (BEVs) in the progression of CRC and 5-FU resistance are predominantly unclear. Herein, we showed that BEVs isolated from broccoli juice were effectively taken up by colorectal cancer HT-29 cells. The co-administration of BEVs and 5-FU significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer HT-29 cells, effectively blocking cell cycle progression. Furthermore, the co-administration of BEVs and 5-FU induced apoptosis by stimulating ROS production and disrupting mitochondrial function. Importantly, we found that BEVs reversed 5-FU resistance in HT-29 cells by suppressing the abnormal activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings represent a novel strategy for utilizing BEVs to improve the efficacy of colorectal cancer treatment and enhance 5-FU chemosensitivity.

Sulforaphane-Enriched Extracts from Broccoli Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity against Plant Pathogens, Promising a Natural Antimicrobial Agent for Crop Protection.

Sulforaphane (SFN) is one of the hydrolysates of glucosinolates (GSLs), primarily derived from Brassica vegetables like broccoli. In clinical therapy, SFN has been proven to display antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the antimicrobial effects and mechanism of SFN against plant pathogens need to be further elucidated, which limits its application in agriculture. In this study, the genetic factors involved in SFN biosynthesis in 33 B. oleracea varieties were explored. The finding showed that besides the genetic background of different B. oleracea varieties, myrosinase and ESP genes play important roles in affecting SFN content. Subsequently, the molecular identification cards of these 33 B. oleracea varieties were constructed to rapidly assess their SFN biosynthetic ability. Furthermore, an optimized protocol for SFN extraction using low-cost broccoli curds was established, yielding SFN-enriched extracts (SFN-ee) containing up to 628.44 µg/g DW of SFN. The antimicrobial activity assay confirmed that SFN-ee obtained here remarkably inhibit the proliferation of nine tested microorganisms including four plant pathogens by destroying their membrane integrity. Additionally, the data demonstrated that exogenous application of SFN-ee could also induce ROS accumulation in broccoli leaves. These results indicated that SFN-ee should play a dual role in defense against plant pathogens by directly killing pathogenic cells and activating the ROS signaling pathway. These findings provide new evidence for the antimicrobial effect and mechanism of SFN against plant pathogens, and suggest that SFN-ee can be used as a natural plant antimicrobial agent for crop protection and food preservation.

In Vitro and In Vivo Insights into a Broccoli Byproduct as a Healthy Ingredient for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease and Aging through Redox Biology.

Broccoli has gained popularity as a highly consumed vegetable due to its nutritional and health properties. This study aimed to evaluate the composition profile and the antioxidant capacity of a hydrophilic extract derived from broccoli byproducts, as well as its influence on redox biology, Alzheimer's disease markers, and aging in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. The presence of glucosinolate was observed and antioxidant capacity was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity was quantified, and the treatment ameliorated the amyloid-ß- and tau-induced proteotoxicity in transgenic strains via SOD-3 and SKN-1, respectively, and HSP-16.2 for both parameters. Furthermore, a preliminary study on aging indicated that the extract effectively reduced reactive oxygen species levels in aged worms and extended their lifespan. Utilizing broccoli byproducts for nutraceutical or functional foods could manage vegetable processing waste, enhancing productivity and sustainability while providing significant health benefits.

Comparative study of the quality indices, antioxidant substances, and mineral elements in different forms of cabbage.

BACKGROUND: As the second largest leafy vegetable, cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) is grown globally, and the characteristics of the different varieties, forms, and colors of cabbage may differ. In this study, five analysis methods-variance analysis, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and comprehensive ranking-were used to evaluate the quality indices (soluble protein, soluble sugar, and nitrate), antioxidant content (vitamin C, polyphenols, and flavonoids), and mineral (K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) content of 159 varieties of four forms (green spherical, green oblate, purple spherical, and green cow heart) of cabbage. RESULTS: The results showed that there are significant differences among different forms and varieties of cabbage. Compared to the other three forms, the purple spherical cabbage had the highest flavonoid, K, Mg, Cu, Mn, and Zn content. A scatter plot of the principal component analysis showed that the purple spherical and green cow heart cabbage varieties were distributed to the same quadrant, indicating that their quality indices and mineral contents were highly consistent, while those of the green spherical and oblate varieties were irregularly distributed. Overall, the green spherical cabbage ranked first, followed by the green cow heart, green oblate, and purple spherical varieties. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation and high-quality breeding of cabbage.

Diverse projected climate change scenarios affect the physiology of broccoli plants to different extents.

Climate change caused by global warming involves crucial plant growth factors such as atmospheric CO2 concentration, ambient temperature or water availability. These stressors usually co-occur, causing intricate alterations in plant physiology and development. This work focuses on how elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, together with the concomitant high temperature, would affect the physiology of a relevant crop, such as broccoli. Particular attention has been paid to those defence mechanisms that contribute to plant fitness under abiotic stress. Results show that both photosynthesis and leaf transpiration were reduced in plants grown under climate change environments compared to those grown under current climate conditions. Furthermore, an induction of carbohydrate catabolism pointed to a redistribution from primary to secondary metabolism. This result could be related to a reinforcement of cell walls, as well as to an increase in the pool of antioxidants in the leaves. Broccoli plants, a C3 crop, grown under an intermediate condition showed activation of those adaptive mechanisms, which would contribute to coping with abiotic stress, as confirmed by reduced levels of lipid peroxidation relative to current climate conditions. On the contrary, the most severe climate change scenario exceeded the adaptive capacity of broccoli plants, as shown by the inhibition of growth and reduced vigour of plants. In conclusion, only a moderate increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature would not have a negative impact on broccoli crop yields.

Promoting effect of low concentration strontium on photosynthetic performance of Chinese cabbage seedlings: Combined leaf characteristics, photosynthetic carbon assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence.

Low concentration strontium (LC-Sr) can promote the growth of plants. In order to explore its promoting mechanism from the aspect of photosynthesis, the leaf characteristics, CO2 assimilation and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence kinetics were investigated with hydroponically LC-Sr-treated Chinese cabbage seedlings. After a 28-d treatment to SrCl2 at different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mmol L-1), we observed an increase in the specific leaf weight (SLW) of Chinese cabbage compared with the control group. Notably, as the strontium concentration increased, a more pronounced improvement trend in the contents of Chl and protein in the leaves was observed, contributing to the enhancement of photosynthesis. However, the statistical differences in Pn among various LC-Sr treatments were not significant. Nevertheless, the leaf starch content exhibited a significant increase after LC-Sr treatments. Additionally, Chl a fluorescence transient has been used as a sensitive indicator of the promotional effect of LC-Sr on photosynthesis. The results of fluorescence parameters showed that LC-Sr treatments accelerated the light reaction speed of leaves (Tfm, dV/dto, dVG/dto), improved the energy utilization efficiency of photosystem (PSI and PSII) (ETo/CSo, ψET,ψRE, δRo, φRo), and ultimately enhanced the photosynthetic performance of leaves (PIabs, SFIabs, DFabs). The increased RCs/CSo and Sm contributed to the enhancement of the light reaction activity of strontium-treated leaves. The LC-Sr treatments had no interference with the calcium absorption, and notably enhanced the photosynthetic capacity of Chinese cabbage, shedding light on potential benefits of LC-Sr for crop cultivation.

Effect of hydrogen sulfide on cabbage photosynthesis under black rot stress.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as a potential gaseous signaling molecule, is involved in mediating biotic and abiotic stress in plants. Currently, there are no studies investigating the mechanism by which H2S improves photosynthesis under black rot (BR) stress caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris (Xcc). In this study, we investigated the effect of exogenous H2S on Xcc induced photosynthetic impairment in cabbage seedlings. BR has an inhibitory effect on the photosynthetic ability of cabbage seedlings. Xcc infection can significantly reduce the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence, Calvin cycle related enzyme activity and gene expression in cabbage leaves. The use of H2S can alleviate this inhibitory effect, reduce chlorophyll decomposition, improve gas exchange, enhance the activity of Calvin cycle related enzymes, and increase the expression of related genes. Transcriptome analysis showed that all differential genes related to photosynthesis were up regulated under H2S treatment compared to normal inoculation. Therefore, spraying exogenous H2S can improve the photosynthetic capacity of cabbage seedlings, reduce Xcc induced photoinhibition, and improve plant resistance.

Effects of Microplastics on Endophytes in Different Niches of Chinese Flowering Cabbage (Brassica campestris).

Microplastics (MPs) are present in soil as emerging contaminants and pose a threat to soil as well as plants. Here, the effects of MPs on Chinese flowering cabbage from a microbiology perspective were explored. MP size and concentration significantly affected endophytic communities of plant root and petiole (p < 0.05). Under MP treatments, the root, petiole, and leaf exhibited a substantial abundance of pathogenic biomarkers, such as Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Ralstonia, and Escherichia, resulting in the slow growth and morbidity of the plant. Difference analysis of metabolic pathways revealed that MPs significantly upregulated the pathogenic metabolic pathways (p < 0.05), and the presence of Vibrio infectious and pathogenic metabolic pathways was detected in all three niches of the plant. Moreover, MPs significantly inhibited the contents of carotenoids, iron, vitamin C, and calcium in edible niches of the plant (p < 0.05), and most of the high-abundant biomarkers were negatively correlated with their nutritional qualities.

Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses Unveil the Role of Nitrogen Metabolism in the Formation of Chinese Cabbage Petiole Spot.

Chinese cabbage is the most widely consumed vegetable crop due to its high nutritional value and rock-bottom price. Notably, the presence of the physiological disease petiole spot significantly impacts the appearance quality and marketability of Chinese cabbage. It is well known that excessive nitrogen fertilizer is a crucial factor in the occurrence of petiole spots; however, the mechanism by which excessive nitrogen triggers the formation of petiole spots is not yet clear. In this study, we found that petiole spots initially gather in the intercellular or extracellular regions, then gradually extend into intracellular regions, and finally affect adjacent cells, accompanied by cell death. Transcriptomic and proteomic as well as physiology analyses revealed that the genes/proteins involved in nitrogen metabolism exhibited different expression patterns in resistant and susceptible Chinese cabbage lines. The resistant Chinese cabbage line has high assimilation ability of NH4+, whereas the susceptible one accumulates excessive NH4+, thus inducing a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results introduce a novel perspective to the investigation of petiole spot induced by the nitrogen metabolism pathway, offering a theoretical foundation for the development of resistant strains in the control of petiole spot.

Broccoli Cultivated with Deep Sea Water Mineral Fertilizer Enhances Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of AOM/DSS-Induced Colorectal Cancer in C57BL/6N Mice.

This study aimed to determine the alleviating effect of broccoli grown with deep sea water mineral (DSWM) fertilizer extracted from deep sea water on the development of colorectal cancer in C57BL/6N mice treated with AOM/DSS. Naturaldream Fertilizer Broccoli (NFB) cultured with deep sea water minerals (DSWM) showed a higher antioxidant effect and mineral content. In addition, orally administered NFB, showed a level of recovery in the colon and spleen tissues of mice compared with those in normal mice through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Orally administered NFB showed the inhibition of the expression of inflammatory cytokine factors IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ, and IL-12 while increasing the expression of IL-10. Furthermore, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB in the liver tissue was inhibited, and that of inflammatory enzymes, such as COX-2 and iNOS, was reduced. In the colon tissue, the expression of p53 and p21 associated with cell cycle arrest increased, and that of Bcl-2 associated with apoptosis decreased. Additionally, the expression of Bax, Bad, Bim, Bak, caspase 9, and caspase 3 increased, indicating enhanced activation of apoptosis-related factors. These results demonstrate that oral administration of broccoli cultivated using DSWM significantly restores spleen and colon tissues and simultaneously inhibits the NF-κB pathway while significantly decreasing cytokine expression. Moreover, by inducing cell cycle arrest and activating cell apoptosis, they also suggest alleviating AOM/DSS-induced colon cancer symptoms in C57BL/6N mice.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of Exogenous Selenium in Alleviating Cadmium Stress in Purple Flowering Stalks (Brassica campestris var. purpuraria).

In China, cadmium (Cd) stress has a significant role in limiting the development and productivity of purple flowering stalks (Brassica campestris var. purpuraria). Exogenous selenium supplementation has been demonstrated in earlier research to mitigate the effects of Cd stress in a range of plant species; nevertheless, the physiological and molecular processes by which exogenous selenium increases vegetable shoots' resistance to Cd stress remain unclear. Purple flowering stalks (Brassica campestris var. purpuraria) were chosen as the study subject to examine the effects of treatment with sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on the physiology and transcriptome alterations of cadmium stress. Purple flowering stalk leaves treated with exogenous selenium had higher glutathione content, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the leaves treated with Cd stress alone. Conversely, the contents of proline, soluble proteins, soluble sugars, malondialdehyde, and intercellular CO2 concentration tended to decrease. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 2643 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were implicated in the response of exogenous selenium treatment to Cd stress. The metabolic pathways associated with flavonoid production, carotenoid synthesis, glutathione metabolism, and glucosinolate biosynthesis were among those enriched in these differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, we discovered DEGs connected to the production route of glucosinolates. This work sheds fresh light on how purple flowering stalks' tolerance to cadmium stress is improved by exogenous selenium.

Uncovering the mechanisms of how corn steep liquor and microbial communities minimize cadmium translocation in Chinese cabbage.

Corn steep liquor-assisted microbial remediation has been proposed as a promising strategy to remediate cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil. In this study, we determined Bacillus subtilis (K2) with a high cadmium (Cd) accumulation ability and Cd resistance. However, studies on this strategy used in the Cd uptake of Chinese cabbage are lacking, and the effect of the combined incorporation of corn steep liquor and K2 on the functions and microbial interactions of soil microbiomes is unclear. Here, we study the Cd uptake and transportation in Chinese cabbage by the combination of K2 and corn steep liquor (K2 + C7) in a Cd-contaminated soil and corresponding microbial regulation mechanisms. Results showed that compared to inoculant K2 treatment alone, a reduction of Cd concentration in the shoots by 14.4% and the dry weight biomass of the shoots and the roots in Chinese cabbage increased by 21.6% and 30.8%, respectively, under K2 + C7 treatment. Meanwhile, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased by enhancing POD and SOD activity, thereby reversing Cd-induced oxidative damage. Importantly, inoculation of K2 would decrease the diversity of the microbial community while enhancing the abundance of dominant species. These findings provide a promising strategy for reducing the Cd accumulation in Chinese cabbage and recovering soil ecological functions.