Neodymium Stimulates Growth, Nutrient Concentration, and Metabolism in Sugarcane in Hydroponics

• Published in: Sugar tech : an international journal of sugar crops & related industries Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 1385 - 1395
• Main Authors: Ramírez-Antonio, Víctor José, Trejo-Téllez, Libia Iris, Gómez-Merino, Fernando Carlos, Hidalgo-Contreras, Juan Valente
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01.12.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Agronomic crops; Amino acids; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Chlorophyll; Competitiveness; Hybrids; Hydroponics; Life Sciences; Metabolism; Neodymium; Nutrient concentrations; Research Article; Roots; Seedlings; Shoots; Stems; Sugarcane; Inorganic biostimulants; Poaceae; Beneficial elements; Lanthanides; Nd; Saccharinae
• ISSN: 0972-1525; 0974-0740
• DOI: 10.1007/s12355-023-01283-y

Sugarcane ( Saccharum spp. hybrids) is a crop of great global importance in various industries, such as the food and energy sectors. With over 55 million Mg of milling stems produced, Mexico is the eighth largest sugarcane producer in the world. Nevertheless, this crop faces environmental and agronomic challenges that require especial attention. Among the alternatives to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the production system is biostimulation through beneficial elements, such as neodymium (Nd), which has shown positive effects on some crops. For this study, a hydroponic floating root system was established where 0, 50, 100, and 150 µM Nd were applied for 90 d to sugarcane cv. Mex 69-290. Growth was directly related to the concentration of applied Nd. The 150 µM Nd dose significantly increased the content of N, P, and K in leaves, stems, and roots of sugarcane seedlings. Likewise, it increased the concentration of sugars in shoots and that of amino acids in shoots and roots. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations were also increased in shoots as a result of Nd applications. In contrast, Nd reduced antioxidant activity. Thus, we conclude that Nd has beneficial effects on sugarcane grown in a hydroponic system.