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Agronomy
Special Issues
Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops
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Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Breeding and Genetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 9893

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Aurora Díaz Bermúdez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Horticulture, Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Avda. Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
2. AgriFood Institute of Aragon-IA2, CITA, University of Zaragoza, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: anthocyanins; biofortification; biotechnology; health-promoting compounds; lettuce; nutritional value; plant breeding; vitamins

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the challenges of plant breeding nowadays is to develop crops with a higher nutritional value and/or a greater content of health-promoting compounds, either through conventional breeding or genetic engineering. In contrast to traditional fortification, which consists of adding micronutrients to plants, so they can assimilate them (fertilization), or during food processing, biofortification aims to obtain crops with a higher nutritional value per se, without the need of external additions. That means that the plants are able to synthesise greater amounts of the particular nutrients. Crop biofortification is gaining relevance, as one of the objectives of future sustainable agriculture is to fight against hunger and malnutrition.

Many compounds that are not essential micronutrients or macronutrients often play an important role beyond nutrition by preventing diseases and promoting the healthy state of the body. Food enriched in these phytochemicals are known as functional foods.

Equally important, though probably for a narrower group of crops, is the decrease in antinutrient concentrations (i.e., toxins), as this will also render food with an enhanced nutritional value in addition to opening the door to new or unconventional food sources.

These topics will be explored in this Special Issue “Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops”, for which you are invited to contribute a manuscript. Original research articles, short communications and systematic reviews are all welcome. A wide range of topics are expected to be covered, from the initial steps dealing with evaluation of the germplasm for nutrients and health-promoting compounds to the development of biofortified varieties and their effect on human health, with the description of new methodologies for measuring the compound contents or for assisting in breeding and everything between. Hence, research from a wide range of different disciplines, chemistry, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacy, medicine, etc., will all have a place in this Special Issue. Furthermore, works including consumer surveys or experiments to determine their acceptance and preferences are within the scope of this Special Issue, given the growing interest of consumers regarding the impact of food on health.

We hope that “Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops” contributes to spreading the latest advances in this emerging and exciting area, assisting scientists and breeders in reaching their objectives.

Dr. Aurora Díaz Bermúdez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antioxidants
  • biofortification
  • carotenoids
  • functional food
  • macronutrients
  • micronutrients
  • minerals
  • nutritional value
  • plant breeding
  • vitamins
  • phenolic compounds

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3233 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis Reveals Changes in Some Seed Properties in Amaranth Mutant Variety ‘Zobor’ (A. hypochondriacus × A. hybridus)
by Andrea Hricová, Veronika Mistríková, Alena Gajdošová, Jozef Fejér, Jana Nôžková, Susanna Kariluoto, Ján Gažo and Monika Szabóová
Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2565; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11122565 - 16 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2260
Abstract
The aim of our long-term research program is to improve the quality and quantity of amaranth production through mutation breeding using γ-radiation. In this paper, we present the characterization of the new variety ‘Zobor’ of A. hypochondriacus × A. hybridus developed by radiation-induced [...] Read more.
The aim of our long-term research program is to improve the quality and quantity of amaranth production through mutation breeding using γ-radiation. In this paper, we present the characterization of the new variety ‘Zobor’ of A. hypochondriacus × A. hybridus developed by radiation-induced mutagenesis of hybrid K-433. Multiyear phenotypic characterization of an important yield parameter (1000-seed weight) showed that the studied mutant variety ‘Zobor’ has an advantage in seed weight over the nonirradiated control seeds of K-433 with predictable performance of this yield trait. ‘Zobor’ exhibited changes in seed morphometric parameters, starch particle size, and pasting properties with no change in amylose content and swelling power. Moreover, the seeds of ‘Zobor’ showed the significantly highest folate content among selected amaranth varieties. The mutant variety could, therefore, be interesting for the development of functional foods and as a low-management crop, attractive for cultivation in Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops)
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18 pages, 3942 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Selenium Fertilization on the Quality Characteristics of Spring Wheat Grain
by Aleksandra Radawiec, Beata Rutkowska, Justina Anna Tidaback, Dariusz Gozdowski, Tomasz Knapowski and Wiesław Szulc
Agronomy 2021, 11(11), 2100; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11112100 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1723
Abstract
Selenium is a micronutrient that is important for the proper functioning of the body. The research presented in this paper investigated the impact of various methods of selenium fertilization at various stages of plant growth on its content in grain and the quality [...] Read more.
Selenium is a micronutrient that is important for the proper functioning of the body. The research presented in this paper investigated the impact of various methods of selenium fertilization at various stages of plant growth on its content in grain and the quality properties of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Selenium fertilization did not affect the grain yield; however, it increased the selenium content in the grain. The research results showed that the accumulation of Se depends not only on the dose of the fertilizer but also on the stage of plant growth when the element is introduced. The most effective method of fertilization proved to be seed treatment and soil application combined with the foliar application at the tillering and stem elongation stages (G + S + F1-2), as well as at the stem elongation stage alone (G + S + F2). In terms of quality characteristics, the impact of selenium fertilization was observed only in the case of the falling number and the total protein content; all the parameters allowed for the grain to be classified as suitable for bread-making. Selenium fertilization can be considered as a safe way of increasing the Se content in spring wheat, which may contribute to an increase in the technological quality of the grain and its nutritional value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops)
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13 pages, 2320 KiB  
Article
Accumulation of Phenolic Compounds and Glucosinolates in Sprouts of Pale Green and Purple Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) under Light and Dark Conditions
by Ramaraj Sathasivam, Min Cheol Kim, Hyeon Ji Yeo, Bao Van Nguyen, Soo In Sohn, Sang Un Park and Joonyup Kim
Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1939; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11101939 - 27 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1800
Abstract
Kohlrabi is considered an important dietary vegetable worldwide. In this study, we investigated the growth and accumulation of phenolic compounds (PCs) and glucosinolates in sprouts of pale green and purple kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) in response to light and dark [...] Read more.
Kohlrabi is considered an important dietary vegetable worldwide. In this study, we investigated the growth and accumulation of phenolic compounds (PCs) and glucosinolates in sprouts of pale green and purple kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) in response to light and dark conditions. Pale green kohlrabi presented high fresh weight and root length irrespective of light treatment, whereas under dark conditions, it presented higher fresh weight and shoot length than purple kohlrabi. In contrast, the root length of both kohlrabies increased markedly under light conditions compared to that under dark conditions. Thirteen PCs and eight glucosinolates were detected and quantified in 10-day-old pale green and purple kohlrabies. In both kohlrabies, the individual and total phenolic levels were much higher under the light treatment than under the dark treatment. Under light and dark conditions, the total phenolic content was 6362.13 and 5475.04 µg/g dry weight in the pale green kohlrabi, respectively, whereas in the purple kohlrabi, it was 10,115.76 and 9361.74 µg/g dry weight, respectively. Dark conditions favored higher accumulation of glucosinolates than light conditions. Progoitrin, neoglucobrassicin, glucoerucin, and 4-methoxyglucobrassicin were the predominant glucosinolates in both kohlrabies and were present in much higher amounts in the pale green kohlrabi. In pale green kohlrabi under dark conditions, the total glucosinolates content was 4.75 and 2.62 times higher than that of the purple kohlrabi under light and dark conditions, respectively. Among individual glucosinolates, in the pale green kohlrabi under the dark condition, progoitrin was found to have the highest content, which was 90.28 and 54.51 times higher than that in the purple kohlrabi under light and dark conditions, respectively. These results show that the phenolic and glucosinolates levels varied widely, and these variations between the two types of kohlrabi under both light and dark conditions were significant. Our findings suggest that light and dark conditions enhance the accumulation of PCs and glucosinolates, respectively, during the development of kohlrabi seedlings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops)
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13 pages, 702 KiB  
Article
Genotype by Environment Interaction Effect on Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration of Indian and Mediterranean Lentil Genotypes
by Soma Gupta, Shouvik Das, Harsh Kumar Dikshit, Gyan Prakash Mishra, Muraleedhar S. Aski, Ruchi Bansal, Kuldeep Tripathi, Arpan Bhowmik and Shiv Kumar
Agronomy 2021, 11(9), 1761; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11091761 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2971
Abstract
Lentil grains with high nutritional value qualify as a promising candidate for alleviation of micronutrient malnutrition in South Asia and North Africa. Genetic variation for micronutrient concentration in germplasm is prerequisite for biofortification of this crop. In the present study, ninety-six lentil genotypes [...] Read more.
Lentil grains with high nutritional value qualify as a promising candidate for alleviation of micronutrient malnutrition in South Asia and North Africa. Genetic variation for micronutrient concentration in germplasm is prerequisite for biofortification of this crop. In the present study, ninety-six lentil genotypes consisting of Indian (released varieties, advanced breeding lines and germplasm lines) and Mediterranean (germplasm lines and landraces) lines were evaluated for grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations and the stability of these traits was studied across three different locations in India. The pooled analysis of variance revealed significant genotype, environment and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) mean squares for both the micronutrients. Stability analysis employing the AMMI model elucidated the first two interaction principal components as significant and cumulatively explained 100% of GEI variation. The first two components explained 55.9% and 44.1% of the GEI sum of squares for grain iron and 50.8% and 49.2% for grain zinc concentration, respectively. No correlation between grain iron and zinc concentration was observed. Among 96 lines, genotypes IG 49, P 16214, ILL 147 and P 2118 were found to be relatively stable, having higher mean iron and zinc concentrations with low modified AMMI stability value (MASV), modified AMMI stability index (MASI) and genotype selection index (GSI). The identified promising genotypes (high Fe: P 16214, IG 115, P 2127 and IC 560812 and high Zn: P 8115, P 3234, LL 461 and IC 560812) can be utilized for studying the genetics of grain Fe and Zn concentration by developing mapping populations and for biofortification of Indian lentil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthier and Nutritionally Enhanced Food Crops)
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