Tradescantia spathacea, commonly known as purple maguey, oyster lily, ship lily, or “Moses in the cradle,” is a species native to Mexico widely cultivated for its ornamental value and extensively used in traditional medicine. This review integrates and analyzes information on its traditional uses, phytochemical composition, and reported pharmacological activities, with the aim of establishing the current state of knowledge and identifying the main research gaps. In traditional medicine, this species is used to treat several ailments. Biological research on methanolic, ethanolic, or aqueous extracts has described its anticancer, cytotoxic, antimutagenic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, gastroprotective, immunological, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activity. Some bioactive compounds isolated from the aerial parts of the plant include rutin, rheonin, peltatoside, epigallocatechin, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acids, protocatechuic acid, luteolin, p-coumaroyl, sirigyl, caffeoyl, feroyl, apigenin, naringenin, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and peonidin, among others. However, to date, the biotechnological conditions for obtaining the material in a controlled manner have not been described.
La papa es el cuarto cultivo más importante a nivel mundial. En 2024, México alcanzó una producción de 2.12 millones de toneladas, con un rendimiento promedio de 32.71 t∙ha-1. La incidencia de enfermedades es un factor limitante para garantizar la producción; por ello, la aplicación de técnicas de visión artificial es de gran valor para su detección oportuna. El objetivo de esta investigación fue implementar y evaluar el desempeño de tres modelos de aprendizaje profundo para identificar seis enfermedades en el cultivo de papa a partir de imágenes digitales: tizón tardío (Phytophthora infestans), tizón temprano (Alternaria solani), infecciones bacterianas (Candidatus Phytoplasma), virus Y de la papa (Potato virus Y), virus del mosaico de la papa (Potato virus X) y virus del enrollado de la papa (Potato leafroll virus), así como daños por plagas y hojas sanas. Se evaluó el desempeño de una red neuronal convolucional (CNN) estándar y dos modelos CNN con transferencia de aprendizaje (VGG19 y YOLOv11n). El modelo YOLOv11n superó a VGG19 y a la CNN estándar, al alcanzar una precisión global de clasificación de 98.1 %, en comparación con 92.8 y 90.1 %, respectivamente. A nivel de clases, YOLOv11n obtuvo valores de F1-score de 95 a 100 %, mientras que VGG19 registró valores de 85 a 100 % y CNN de 72 a 98 %. Estos resultados evidencian que YOLOv11n presenta una capacidad de clasificación alta para detectar las seis enfermedades analizadas, daños por plagas y hojas sanas. El desempeño observado confirma el potencial de los modelos de aprendizaje profundo como base para el desarrollo de tecnologías inteligentes orientadas a detectar problemas fitosanitarios.
Heterogeneity in dry matter (DM) content at harvest and uneven ripening affect the postharvest quality of avocado var. Hass, because they have been associated with internal browning disorders and reduced shelf-life. This research aimed to determine the effect of DM content at harvest, cold storage time, and ethylene concentration on the postharvest quality of ‘Hass’ avocado. Two DM levels (<22.2 % and >25.9 %), two storage periods at 5 °C (7 and 14 days), and three ethylene concentrations (0, 25, and 110 ppm applied for 24 h at 20 °C) were studied. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model and Fisher’s LSD test (α = 0.05). Significant differences were observed in ethylene production rate, respiration, weight loss, antioxidant capacity, total phenol content, chlorophylls (a+b, a, and b), polyphenol oxidase activity, internal browning, and time to ripening. Ethylene application (25 and 110 ppm) at the end of the storage period reduced the incidence of internal browning in ‘Hass’ avocado by approximately 10 %, as well as the ripening time.
La uchuva (Physalis peruviana L.), originaria de las zonas montañosas de América del Sur, es cultivada ampliamente en Colombia, que es el principal productor y exportador a nivel mundial. La expansión de su cultivo hacia nuevas regiones requiere evaluar su adaptabilidad y desempeño bajo sistemas de producción tecnificados. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el potencial productivo de cinco variedades de uchuva en dos densidades de población (27 639 y 13 861 plantas∙ha⁻¹) bajo condiciones de invernadero e hidroponía. El experimento se estableció en un diseño de bloques completos al azar con arreglo en parcelas divididas, con cuatro repeticiones. La parcela grande correspondió a la densidad y la parcela chica a variedades, bajo un marco de plantación de 1.2 m entre surcos y 0.5 m entre plantas. La densidad y la variedad mostraron efectos altamente significativos sobre el diámetro de tallo y la altura de planta. La densidad presentó efectos significativos en el peso de fruto con cáliz y sin cáliz, y altamente significativos sobre el rendimiento total y el rendimiento por planta, evaluados en siete cortes cada 20 días. La variedad Sacha registró el mayor diámetro polar, diámetro ecuatorial y rendimiento. La variedad Modificada presentó los valores más bajos en sólidos solubles totales. Se observaron efectos significativos de densidad en la acidez titulable total 4 (ATT4) y de variedad en la ATT3. La vitamina C no presentó diferencias significativas entre tratamientos. La densidad baja produjo plantas de menor altura y mayor rendimiento. La variedad Sacha presentó el mejor desempeño en términos de rendimiento y calidad de fruto. No hubo interacciones entre variedad y densidad para rendimiento, pero sí para altura de planta y tamaño de fruto.
Heavy metals are persistent pollutants that represent a threat to ecosystems and human health due to their capacity for bioaccumulation. The aim of this study was to determine the potential ecological risk associated with heavy metals in soils of four winegrowing areas in the Arequipa region of Peru (La Joya, Majes Tradición, CIEPA-Majes and San Isidro), as well as the health risks related to the level of contamination of Moscatel grape must. The presence of arsenic (As), boron (B), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in soils and musts was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results revealed that Cd concentrations in the La Joya must exceeded permissible limits. Ecological risk indices indicated moderate to considerable contamination levels, particularly for Cd, As, and B, suggesting a worrying environmental impact. Regarding human health, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were identified, mainly due to the presence of As and Hg in the musts from La Joya, Majes Tradición and CIEPA-Majes, and Cd and Pb in the samples from La Joya and Majes Tradición, which could have adverse effects on consumers of grape derived products. These findings underscore the need to implement control and monitoring measures in the region to mitigate the impact of heavy metal contamination on soils, plants, and agricultural products.
There is evidence of the influence of light on morphogenesis, physiological metabolism, growth, development, and nutritional quality of plants. However, information on the use of artificial light in early phenological stages is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental LED lighting on the nutritional and nutraceutical quality of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) and amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) microgreens grown under hydroponic and greenhouse conditions. From sowing, four treatments were established: one without artificial light and three with LED lighting (white, blue, and red). White (4 200 lm) and blue (4 000 lm) light lamps were placed 45 and 30 cm above the plants, respectively, while red (1 000 lm) light lamps were placed 10 cm above the plants. The photoperiod was 20 h (12 h of natural light and 8 h of LED light) for the supplemental light treatments and 12 h for the control. Morphological, nutritional, and nutraceutical variables were evaluated under a completely randomized experimental design with a factorial arrangement. Chia microgreens stood out for their nutraceutical quality, and amaranth microgreens for their nutritional quality. White light enhanced nutritional content, blue light increased nutraceutical content, and red light stimulated dry matter accumulation in both species. Treatment without artificial light showed little significant effect. Supplemental LED light modified the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of the microgreens evaluated.
The interaction of some ant species favors the growth of mealybug populations in crops such as grapes, citrus, and pineapple in several regions of the world, making their control necessary to protect the plantations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of toxic baits applied in bait stations for controlling ants associated with in vineyards in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The bait stations contained a mixture of ground shrimp (70 %), sucrose (30 %), and an insecticide (natural pyrethrin, boric acid, or thiamethoxam). Twenty five stations of each treatment were established per hectare in organically and conventionally managed vineyards located in Francisco Zarco, Ensenada. The most effective treatments for reducing ant abundance (measured as weighted percentage of infestation) were thiamethoxam (53 to 75 %) and boric acid (29 to 67 %). In contrast, natural pyrethrin had no significant effect. The efficacy of these products varied by plant stratum, and was probably related to the number of ants present in each one. It was concluded that toxic baits formulated with ground shrimp, sucrose plus boric acid, or thiamethoxam significantly reduced the ant population. However, it is recommended to continue evaluating other attractants and extend the observation period to improve control of P. ficus in the Ensenada vineyards.
Drought stress is one of the major factors limiting crop productivity in water-scarce regions. Early detection and mitigation of drought effects in tomato plants are essential for optimizing irrigation and maintaining fruit quality. This study investigated the effects of silicon (Si) supplementation and drought stress on the physiological and biochemical responses of tomato plants. A completely randomized factorial design was established with four Si concentrations (0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 mM) and three levels of water stress (control at 80 %, moderate stress at 60 %, and severe stress at 40 % of field capacity [FC]). Treatments were analyzed in triplicate, and the variables evaluated were fresh and dry weight, proline content, antioxidant enzyme activity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The results indicated that 0.75 mM Si under moderate drought significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. However, increasing drought intensity resulted in higher H2O2 accumulation across most Si treatments. The highest MDA concentration was also recorded in plants receiving 0.75 mM Si under moderate stress. Overall, Si application modulated the physiological and biochemical responses of tomato plants to water deficit, suggesting its potential to alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress on plant growth and metabolism.
Due to the high costs of greenhouse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production, strategies are required to optimize the use of space and time, in order to achieve an annual productivity that ensures the profitability of the crop. Therefore, the objective of this work was to study the effect of the duration of the intermediate stage on the potential performance per cycle and per year. Five treatments were established (25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 days duration of the intermediate stage) and a control (without an intermediate stage). The intermediate stage, lasting 30 days, presented the highest yield (9.5 kg∙m-2), in a 70 day cycle in a greenhouse, demonstrating the potential of this system to carry out multiple production cycles per year (between five and seven). In this study, an intensive management system was evaluated in which production cycles are shortened to 50-60 days by topping to three clusters and implementing three cultivation stages: seedbed, intermediate stage at high density (18 plants∙m-2), and production. High density during the intermediate stage is necessary for this system, although it can induce competition for light, which can affect performance.
n Mexico, tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation is of great economic and social importance; however, the generation of innovative national varieties is limited. This research aimed to determine the agronomic potential and fruit quality of 29 F5 tomato lines with indeterminate growth habit (IGH) and round fruit, for their possible commercial use and as a source of germplasm for breeding. The 29 lines and the commercial variety Caimán (used as a control) were evaluated in a hydroponic greenhouse system during two growing cycles (2020 and 2021), under a randomized complete block experimental design with three replications. Phenological data, physical and fruit quality traits, and total number and weight of fruits per plant were recorded. An analysis of variance, a comparison of means (Tukey, P ≤ 0.05) and a Pearson correlation analysis were performed. Significant differences were found among lines in days to flowering and ripening, length, diameter, weight, firmness, soluble solids content, and total number and weight of fruits. Outstanding lines were identified in earliness, yield and fruit quality, making them suitable for fresh consumption. Twenty-eight genotypes showed no significant differences in yield with respect to the control, while line 21136 outperformed it with a 34.9 % higher yield (P ≤ 0.05), suggesting its potential to be used as a commercial variety or as a source of germplasm in breeding programs.
The success of vegetative propagation in pitaya depends on both endogenous and exogenous factors, such as cutting size, the application of auxin-type growth regulators, and the substrate used. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of auxins (naphthaleneacetic acid [NAA] and indole-3-butyric acid [IBA]) and different substrates on the rooting of cuttings of various sizes in red-fleshed pitaya ‘Physical Graffiti’. A 3×2×3 factorial design was used, with the factors being: auxin concentration (NAA + IBA at 0, 20 + 5 and 40 + 10 ppm), cutting size (20 and 40 cm) and substrate type (sand; sand:vermicompost [1:1, w/w]; and vermicompost). Root length and number, as well as fresh and dry biomass of both roots and cuttings, were evaluated. Analyses included analysis of variance, Tukey’s multiple comparison tests, and Pearson correlations. The best rooting performance ‒measured as root length (15.8 cm), number of roots (80.5), fresh biomass (8.6 g), and dry biomass (3.3 g)‒ was obtained with 20 cm cuttings immersed for 30 seconds in a solution of 20 ppm NAA + 5 ppm IBA and grown in a sand:vermicompost substrate. The combination of NAA and IBA in mixed substrates represents a viable option to optimize propagation by cuttings of red- fleshed pitahaya ‘Physical Graffiti’.
Ante la creciente demanda de jitomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.) y la necesidad de optimizar el uso del espacio y los recursos en sistemas de producción intensiva, se han implementado nuevos esquemas de cultivo hidropónico que buscan maximizar la producción anual mediante ciclos cortos de 50 días. La estrategia se basa en limitar el número de racimos por planta a tres y en dividir el proceso en tres fases: semillero, una fase intermedia con alta densidad de población y una fase final de producción. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de diferentes densidades de población en las fases intermedia y final sobre variables agronómicas. Se compararon cuatro densidades en cada fase (intermedia: 30, 25, 20 y 17 plantas∙m-2; final: 8, 7, 6 y 5 plantas∙m-2) bajo un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones y 12 plantas por unidad experimental. Entre los 70 y 90 días después de la siembra, el tratamiento con 25 y 7 plantas∙m-2 en fase intermedia y final, respectivamente, presentó un incremento del área foliar por planta de 853 cm2 y un índice de área foliar de 2.1 m2 ∙m-2, mientras que con 17 y 5 plantas∙m-2, los incrementos respectivos fueron de 518 cm2 y 0.9 m2 ∙m-2, lo cual indica que las primeras experimentaron mayor estrés por competencia de luz. Con 25 plantas∙m-2 en fase intermedia y 7 plantas∙m-2 en fase final, se tuvo un rendimiento de 8.9 kg∙m-2 por ciclo de cultivo, lo que permitiría obtener hasta siete ciclos por año.
In Mexico, custard apple (Annona reticulata L.) fruits are consumed fresh; however, they are not as well- known as soursop (Annona muricata L.), cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.), and sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.). This situation is largely due to the limited information available regarding their properties and morphology. In Nayarit, custard apple production occurs in areas without agronomic management. The objective of this research was to evaluate the morphology and physicochemical characteristics of custard apple fruits from four localities in the municipality of Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico: Jicote, Trapichillo, 14 de Marzo, and Tepic. The fruits showed a variety of shapes, including cordiform, irregular, and ovoid forms, along with either smooth or embossed reticulation and areoles of diverse morphologies, such as drop-shaped, rhomboid, pentagonal, or hexagonal. The skin color also varied, ranging from dull green with yellow-orange tones, to dull brown with orange-red or yellow hues, and even dull purple. The fruits from Jicote and Tepic were the largest and heaviest, while those from Jicote and Trapichillo exhibited the greatest firmness. Fruits from Trapichillo had the highest acidity, whereas those from Jicote and 14 de Marzo had the greatest total soluble solids content. Overall, the custard apple fruits from Tepic showed a wide range of morphological and physicochemical traits, suggesting potential economic value for both fresh market consumption and applications in the food industry for nutraceutical product development, as well as in the pharmaceutical sector for the extraction of phytochemical compounds.
In Tamaulipas, citrus production faces a phytosanitary risk due to the presence of Anastrepha ludens (Loew,1873), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835), Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann, 1830), and Anastrepha striata (Schiner, 1868), since the females of these species oviposit inside the fruit, and the larval instars feed on them. However, the population fluctuation of these four species in the citrus-growing region of Tamaulipas remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the population fluctuation of A. ludens, A. obliquas, A. serpentina, and A. striata in Early orange (Citrus sinensis var. Navelina), Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) and Red grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad var. Red Blush) cultivars in the municipalities of Güémez, Llera de Canales, Padilla and Victoria, Tamaulipas. To accomplish this, Multilure traps baited with hydrolyzed protein were deployed for 52 weeks, and the number of captured adults was recorded to calculate the FTD (Flies/Trap/Day) index. The data were then analyzed using analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test to assess differences among crops. The results showed that the average capture rates of A. ludens, A. serpentina and A. striata were similar in three citrus varieties, while the abundance of A. obliquas was significantly different in Valencia orange crop. Additionally, A. obliquas, A. serpentina and A. striata were recorded from January to August, whereas A. ludens was present from January to December, with peak abundance in March, May and October.
The cost of highly soluble fertilizers has increased in recent years, impacting on the economic profitability of crops grown in greenhouse hydroponic systems. The aim was to evaluate water and macronutrient consumption in tomato plants, to compare the yield when using a nutrient solution made with low-cost, poorly soluble fertilizers versus a high-cost, highly soluble conventional formulation, and to compare the use of a conventional nutrient solution at different concentrations. An ‘El Cid’ tomato crop cycle of 85 days from transplanting to harvest was established. Two nutrient solution formulations (conventional and alternative) were tested at two concentrations (100 and 80 %). Morphological variables, dry matter weight, yield, and nutrient dynamics of N, P, K, Ca and Mg were evaluated. A randomized complete block design with six replications was used. Treatments with conventional formulations had higher yields than those managed with less soluble sources (2.12 vs. 1.62 kg∙plant-1). The 80 % conventional formulation, with a yield of 2.11 kg∙plant-1, was the most cost-effective. To produce 1 kg of fruit, plants consumed 28.4 L of water and absorbed 1.58 g of N, 0.70 g of P, 3.17 g of K, 1.51 g of Ca and 0.60 g of Mg.
Tomato is infected by more than 100 pathogens that affect its production; therefore, it is crucial that commercial varieties integrate resistance genes. In this context, molecular markers improve the efficiency of the selection process. This study aimed to validate the efficacy of molecular markers in identifying genes resistant to six pathogens: Meloidogyne sp. (Mi-1 and Mi-1.2), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (I-1 and I-2), Stemphyllium sp. (Sm), Phytophthora infestans (Ph3), tomato yellow leaf curl virus (Ty-2 and Ty-3) and spotted wilt virus (Sw5b). Protocols for 10 pairs of markers associated with resistance genes were adapted and tested on 20 genotypes. Pathogen resistance genes were identified in 17 advanced lines and three commercial hybrids of tomato. Molecular markers distinguished lines with resistance genes to six important diseases in tomato cultivation, which could therefore be used for the development of new varieties.
Sulfentrazone is one of the main pre-emergent herbicides used in tobacco plantations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity and efficiency of sulfentrazone-based formulations in two tobacco production systems (conventional tillage system [CTS] and no-tillage system [NTS]). Two experiments were conducted (CTS and NTS) in a randomized block design, with seven treatments and four replications. The herbicide treatments were: T1 = Boral® 500 SC (400 g∙ha-1 of sulfentrazone), T2 = PonteiroBR® (400 g∙ha-1 of sulfentrazone), T3 = Stone® (350 + 700 g∙ha-1 of sulfentrazone and diuron, respectively), T4 = Boral® 500 SC + Gamit® 360 CS (792 g∙ha-1 of clomazone), T5 = PonteiroBR® + Gamit® 360 CS, T6 = Stone® + Gamit® 360 CS, and T7 = control (manual weeding). Phytotoxicity in tobacco plants and weed control efficiency were visually evaluated 14, 28, 42, and 56 days after application (daa) of the treatments. Emerged weed plants per m2 were counted 56 daa. Tobacco yield was evaluated by determining the yield per third of the plant (lower, middle, and upper thirds) and the total yield (sum of the yields from each third). The sulfentrazone formulations were efficient in weed control. The herbicide Stone® applied alone or mixed with Gamit® caused mild phytotoxicity in plants under NTS, but no yield losses. No significant difference was found in yield among treatments; however, the yield of the upper third of the plant was higher for plants under NTS, affecting the total yield. The sulfentrazone formulations used provided efficient weed control and selectivity to tobacco plants. The use of NTS resulted in higher yields.
Despite the wide distribution of Spondias purpurea L. across tropical America, its fruit remains relatively unknown and is consumed mostly regionally; this is largely because several aspects of its postharvest quality and physiology remain unknown. The objective of this work was to address these issues in three variants of S. purpurea L. (Roja, Morada, and Amarilla) and to propose improvements to their postharvest management and conservation. For this, fruit from each variant was harvested at ½ and ¾ maturity, stored at 25 ± 2 °C (60 % relative humidity), and evaluated according to several physical, chemical, and physiological parameters. Weight loss, respiration, and ethylene production were highest in Roja; however, postharvest life was the shortest (5-6 d). Firmness was highest in Morada, while respiration and postharvest life were the lowest and longest (6-8 d), respectively. During ripening, total soluble solids and titratable acidity increased in all three varieties, though they did so to a much lesser extent in Amarilla. Total phenolics increased in Roja and Morada during the first stage of ripening (d 2-4) while flavonoids only did so during the second stage. In Amarilla, however, the levels of both remained relatively low. FRAP-determined antioxidant activity was therefore higher in the first two which, together with all other results, indicate important differences in the quality of these variants of S. purpurea L., and thus, in the resulting management and conservation strategies.
Current agriculture faces challenges caused by climate change, which induce states of stress in plants, reducing crop productivity. Micro- or nanomaterials are biostimulants that mitigate these adverse effects, having greater efficiency compared to conventional materials. Iodine, at low concentrations, improves plant growth and production. This study aimed to: 1) synthesize and characterize polymeric particles functionalized with submicron iodine (PI), 2) evaluate the impact of pretreatment of corn seeds with these particles on the germination rate and growth of the seedlings, and 3) quantify the iodine in the PI and in the seedlings. The synthesis of the PI was carried out by a chemical reaction from iohexol with a crosslinker and the addition of a polyethylene glycol coating. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the PIs determined by dynamic light scattering was 217 nm, and the iodine content in the synthesized PIs was 1.67 %. For the germination test, four PI concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 50 mg∙L-1) and a control (distilled water) were used; 50 seeds were imbibed in 10 mL of each solution and placed in a growth chamber at a temperature of 28 °C for 24 h. The results indicate that PIs do not negatively interfere with the seed germination process and the treatment with a concentration of 50 mg∙L-1 PI significantly favored some growth variables. The latter indicates that the synthesized PIs presented a biostimulant effect and may be a viable alternative as a biofortifier.
The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different types of inoculants (control, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi [VAMF], phosphate-solubilizing bacteria [PSB], and co-inoculant [VAMF-PSB]) on root colonization, plant growth, macronutrient (P and N) uptake, and metal element uptake under heavy metal-contaminated soil conditions. Three species of vegetable plants, namely tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Ratna), red chili (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Gada), and hot chili (Capsicum frutescens L. cv. Pusaka Brengolo), were grown in heavy metal (Zn, Ca, Ni and Cd) –contaminated soil for eight weeks. Plants co-inoculated with VAMF-PSB showed significantly higher root colonization by VAMF as well as P and N concentrations in shoot and root than plants inoculated with only VAMF or PSB; consequently, the plant biomass also increased. In heavy metal-contaminated soil, VAMF colonization and PSB application could significantly improve the essential metal concentration (Cu and Zn) in the shoot, although there were no significant effects on the roots. On the contrary, co-inoculation with VAMF-PSB could significantly decrease Cd and Ni concentrations in the shoot, although Cd and Ni concentrations did not show a significant difference in the root. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Ni were higher in the roots than in the shoots of the three plant species tested. The type of inoculant used in this study selectively discriminated between plant essential (Cu, Zn) and non-essential elements (Cd, Ni).
