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Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability
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Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 13047

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Victoria Fernández

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department Systems and Natural Resources, School of Forestry, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: agrochemicals; agro-forestry; plant biochemistry; plant anatomy; plant nutrition; plant physiology; plant surfaces
Prof. Dr. Thomas Eichert

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Horticulture, University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, Erfurt, Germany
Interests: abiotic stresses, agrochemicals; foliar fertilization, plant biochemistry; plant anatomy; plant nutrition; plant physiology; plant surfaces, plant water relations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant surfaces play a major protective role in combating various biotic and abiotic stress factors and are the main barrier to the absorption of agrochemical sprays commonly used in plant production, such as foliar fertilisers or biostimulants. In the last few decades, many studies have been performed with the aim of characterising plant surface properties, their permeability to water and agrochemicals or their interaction with microorganisms or atmospheric aerosols. However, there are still many gaps in knowledge concerning plant surfaces and their physico-chemical performance, interactions with surface-deposited matter and permeability to gases and liquids.

This Special Issue has a broad scope and welcomes the submission of original research or review articles devoted to plant-surface-related topics such as: characterising the properties of natural surfaces (e.g., the cuticle, trichomes, stomata, etc.) or plant surface biomimetic materials; evaluating factors affecting plant surface interactions with liquids or solids (e.g., aerosols, contaminants, insects or microorganisms); and the absorption and physiological effect of foliar-absorbed pure water and/or agrochemical sprays (e.g., foliar fertilisers, biostimulants, nanoparticles, herbicides or plant protection products). Furthermore, we welcome articles shedding light on the influence of potential stress conditions such as nutrient limitations, water shortage or pest and pathogen attacks ultimately affecting the properties and permeability of plant surfaces. Studies evaluating the development of agrochemical spray formulations that may improve plant surface interactions, foliar absorption and plant responses to agrochemical sprays as well as studies focusing on the foliar deposition and effect of aerosols, contaminants or microorganisms, also considering the importance of the prevailing environmental conditions, are also suitable.

Prof. Dr. Victoria Fernández
Prof. Dr. Thomas Eichert
Guest Editors

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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • plant surface
  • surface-deposited matter
  • permeability
  • biotic, abiotic influence
  • foliar fertilisers
  • biostimulants
  • absorption
  • stress response

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 4227 KiB  
Article
Fungal Hyphae on the Assimilation Branches Are Beneficial for Haloxylon ammodendron to Absorb Atmospheric Water Vapor: Adapting to an Extreme Drought Environment
by Xiaohua Wang, Honglang Xiao, Lei Pang and Fang Wang
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1233; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091233 - 29 Apr 2024
Viewed by 393
Abstract
Research on endophytic fungi in desert plants, particularly the epiphytic or endophytic fungi of leaves, remains limited. In the extremely arid regions of northwest China, the ultra-xerophytic desert plant Haloxylon ammodendron harbors white fungi on its assimilating branches during autumn. The hyphae of [...] Read more.
Research on endophytic fungi in desert plants, particularly the epiphytic or endophytic fungi of leaves, remains limited. In the extremely arid regions of northwest China, the ultra-xerophytic desert plant Haloxylon ammodendron harbors white fungi on its assimilating branches during autumn. The hyphae of these fungi intertwine, both internally and externally, comprising superficial, bridging, and endophytic types. The superficial hyphae attach to the surface of the assimilating branches and continuously grow and intersect, forming a thick layer of felt-like hyphae. This thick, felt-like layer of hyphae facilitates the adsorption of atmospheric water vapor on the surface of the hyphae or the assimilating branches, allowing H. ammodendron to capture atmospheric moisture, even under low humidity. Some superficial hyphae penetrate the cuticle into the epidermis, becoming bridging hyphae, which can rapidly transport water from the outside of the epidermis to the inside. The endophytic hyphae shuttle within the epidermis, achieving rapid water transfer within the epidermis of the assimilating branches. The presence of these three types of hyphae not only enables the assimilating branches of H. ammodendron to achieve rapid water absorption and transmission, but also facilitates the uptake of atmospheric water vapor under low humidity conditions. We discuss the mechanism by which the hyphae promote water absorption from the perspectives of hyphal composition, the formation of felt-like structures, and environmental conditions. We consider the presence of fungal hyphae on the surface of the H. ammodendron assimilating branches as an inevitable ecological process in arid environments. This study provides important theoretical insights into the mechanisms underlying the strong drought resistance of desert plants in extremely arid regions and offers strategies for desertification control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability)
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16 pages, 2952 KiB  
Article
Mineral Particles in Foliar Fertilizer Formulations Can Improve the Rate of Foliar Uptake
by Carlos Pimentel, Carlos M. Pina, Nora Müller, Luis Adrián Lara, Gabriela Melo Rodriguez, Fabrizio Orlando, Joachim Schoelkopf and Victoria Fernández
Plants 2024, 13(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010071 - 25 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1429
Abstract
The application of foliar sprays of suspensions of relatively insoluble essential element salts is gradually becoming common, chiefly with the introduction of nano-technology approaches in agriculture. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of such sparingly soluble nutrient sources as foliar fertilizers. In [...] Read more.
The application of foliar sprays of suspensions of relatively insoluble essential element salts is gradually becoming common, chiefly with the introduction of nano-technology approaches in agriculture. However, there is controversy about the effectiveness of such sparingly soluble nutrient sources as foliar fertilizers. In this work, we focussed on analysing the effect of adding Ca-carbonate (calcite, CaCO3) micro- and nano-particles as model sparingly soluble mineral compounds to foliar fertilizer formulations in terms of increasing the rate of foliar absorption. For these purposes, we carried out short-term foliar application experiments by treating leaves of species with variable surface features and wettability rates. The leaf absorption efficacy of foliar formulations containing a surfactant and model soluble nutrient sources, namely Ca-chloride (CaCl2), magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), potassium nitrate (KNO3), or zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), was evaluated alone or after addition of calcite particles. In general, the combination of the Ca-carbonate particles with an essential element salt had a synergistic effect and improved the absorption of Ca and the nutrient element provided. In light of the positive effects of using calcite particles as foliar formulation adjuvants, dolomite nano- and micro-particles were also tested as foliar formulation additives, and the results were also positive in terms of increasing foliar uptake. The observed nutrient element foliar absorption efficacy can be partially explained by geochemical modelling, which enabled us to predict how these formulations will perform at least in chemical terms. Our results show the major potential of adding mineral particles as foliar formulation additives, but the associated mechanisms of action and possible additional benefits to plants should be characterised in future investigations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability)
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15 pages, 3506 KiB  
Article
Foliar Calcium Absorption by Tomato Plants: Comparing the Effects of Calcium Sources and Adjuvant Usage
by Eduardo Santos, Gabriel Sgarbiero Montanha, Luís Fernando Agostinho, Samira Polezi, João Paulo Rodrigues Marques and Hudson Wallace Pereira de Carvalho
Plants 2023, 12(14), 2587; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12142587 - 8 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1790
Abstract
The deficiency of calcium (Ca) reduces the quality and shelf life of fruits. In this scenario, although foliar spraying of Ca2+ has been used, altogether with soil fertilization, as an alternative to prevent deficiencies, little is known regarding its absorption dynamics by [...] Read more.
The deficiency of calcium (Ca) reduces the quality and shelf life of fruits. In this scenario, although foliar spraying of Ca2+ has been used, altogether with soil fertilization, as an alternative to prevent deficiencies, little is known regarding its absorption dynamics by plant leaves. Herein, in vivo microprobe X-ray fluorescence was employed aiming to monitor the foliar absorption of CaCl2, Ca-citrate complex, and Ca3(PO4)2 nanoparticles with and without using adjuvant. We also investigated whether Sr2+ can be employed as Ca2+ proxy in foliar absorption studies. Moreover, the impact of treatments on the cuticle structure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. For this study, 45-day-old tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Micro-Tom) plants were used as a model species. After 100 h, the leaves absorbed 90, 18, and 4% of aqueous CaCl2, Ca-citrate, and Ca3(PO4)2 nanoparticles, respectively. The addition of adjuvant increased the absorption of Ca-citrate to 28%, decreased that of CaCl2 to 77%, and did not affect Ca3(PO4)2. CaCl2 displayed an exponential decay absorption profile with half-lives of 15 h and 5 h without and with adjuvant, respectively. Ca-citrate and Ca3(PO4)2 exhibited absorption profiles that were closer to a linear behavior. Sr2+ was a suitable Ca2+ tracer because of its similar absorption profiles. Furthermore, the use of adjuvant affected the epicuticular crystal structure. Our findings reveal that CaCl2 was the most efficient Ca2+ source. The effects caused by adjuvant suggest that CaCl2 and Ca-citrate were absorbed mostly through hydrophilic and lipophilic pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability)
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14 pages, 4295 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Leaf Wettability and Salt Hygroscopicity as Drivers for Foliar Absorption
by Neriman Tuba Barlas, Héctor Alejandro Bahamonde, Carlos Pimentel, Pedro Domínguez-Huidobro, Carlos M. Pina and Victoria Fernández
Plants 2023, 12(12), 2357; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122357 - 18 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1578
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of foliar absorption of magnesium (Mg) salts with different deliquescence and efflorescence relative humidity values (DRH and ERH, also known as point of deliquescence (POD) and point of efflorescence (POE), respectively) when supplied [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of foliar absorption of magnesium (Mg) salts with different deliquescence and efflorescence relative humidity values (DRH and ERH, also known as point of deliquescence (POD) and point of efflorescence (POE), respectively) when supplied to leaves of model plants with different wettability properties. For this purpose, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with lettuce (very wettable), broccoli (highly unwettable) and leek (highly unwettable). Foliar sprays contained 0.1% surfactant plus 100 mM Mg supplied as MgCl2·6H2O, Mg(NO3)2·6H2O or MgSO4·7H2O. Leaf Mg concentrations were determined 1 and 7 days after foliar application. Anion concentrations were also measured in lettuce where a significant foliar Mg absorption was detected. Leaf wettability, leaf surface free energy and fertilizer drop deposit appearance onto the foliage were assessed. It is concluded that despite including a surfactant in the spray formulation, leaf wettability plays a major role in foliar Mg absorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability)
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13 pages, 10152 KiB  
Article
Tomato and Pepper Leaf Parts Contribute Differently to the Absorption of Foliar-Applied Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate
by Jon Niklas Henningsen, Héctor Alejandro Bahamonde, Karl Hermann Mühling and Victoria Fernández
Plants 2023, 12(11), 2152; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112152 - 29 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1873
Abstract
Foliar fertilisation is an application technique that is increasingly being used in agriculture and offers the possibility of providing nutrients directly to the site of highest demand. Especially for phosphorus (P), foliar application is an interesting alternative to soil fertilisation, but foliar uptake [...] Read more.
Foliar fertilisation is an application technique that is increasingly being used in agriculture and offers the possibility of providing nutrients directly to the site of highest demand. Especially for phosphorus (P), foliar application is an interesting alternative to soil fertilisation, but foliar uptake mechanisms are poorly understood. To gain a better understanding of the importance of leaf surface features for foliar P uptake, we conducted a study with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants, which have different leaf surface traits. For this purpose, drops of 200 mM KH2PO4 without surfactant were applied onto the adaxial or abaxial leaf side or to the leaf veins and the rate of foliar P absorption was evaluated after one day. Additionally, leaf surfaces were characterised in detail by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), estimating also leaf surface wettability and free energy, among other parameters. While the leaves of pepper hardly contained any trichomes, the abaxial side and the leaf veins of tomato leaves were densely covered with trichomes. The cuticle of tomato leaves was thin (approximately 50 nm), while that of pepper was thick (approximately 150–200 nm) and impregnated with lignin. Due to the fact that trichomes were most abundant in the leaf veins of tomato, dry foliar fertiliser drop residues were observed to be anchored there, and the highest P uptake occurred via tomato leaf veins, resulting in 62% increased P concentration. However, in pepper, the highest rate of P absorption was recorded after abaxial-side P treatment (+66% P). Our results provide evidence that different leaf parts contribute unequally to the absorption of foliar-applied agrochemicals, which could potentially be useful for optimising foliar spray treatments in different crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability)
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11 pages, 624 KiB  
Article
Foliar Application of Potassium Salts to Olive, with Focus on Accompanying Anions
by Héctor A. Bahamonde, Carlos Pimentel, Luis Adrián Lara, Vikingur Bahamonde-Fernández and Victoria Fernández
Plants 2023, 12(3), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030472 - 19 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2125
Abstract
Potassium (K) is an essential element, which is often supplied to horticultural crops via foliar spraying. Some studies have investigated the effect of different foliar-applied K compounds; however, most studies have focussed on crop quality and yield parameters, or were performed with isolated [...] Read more.
Potassium (K) is an essential element, which is often supplied to horticultural crops via foliar spraying. Some studies have investigated the effect of different foliar-applied K compounds; however, most studies have focussed on crop quality and yield parameters, or were performed with isolated leaf cuticles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rates of the foliar ion penetration and leaf surface deposition of 130 mM K sprays of compounds with markedly different point of deliquescence (POD) and efflorescence (POE) values, the rates having been previously estimated in climate chamber trials. Shoots of field-grown, commercial olive trees were sprayed with K-nitrate (KNO3), K-sulphate (K2SO4), K-chloride (KCl), K-phosphate (K3PO4), K-carbonate (K2CO3) and K-bicarbonate (KHCO3), and leaf samples were collected after 3 and 24 h. Cation and anion concentrations were determined in the leaf tissues, and in a preliminary leaf water wash for estimating surface-deposited ion concentrations. No significant leaf tissue K increments were recorded between the K sprays. Olive tissue anion concentrations showed different patterns, and a chloride (Cl−) increase was detected 3 h after the foliar KCl supply. On the other hand, the foliar K applications led to leaf nitrate changes regardless of the K source supplied. High amounts of K and accompanying ions were recovered in the washing liquid of the foliar K-supplied leaves. Some foliar K treatments increased the leaf surface concentration of sulphate and chloride, suggesting a potential effect on leaf cell anion extrusion. Hence, despite no evidence of foliar K uptake, an effect of leaf anion concentrations was observed, indicating that foliar nutrient sprays may influence leaf and leaf surface anion balance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability)
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16 pages, 3363 KiB  
Article
Foliar P Application Cannot Fully Restore Photosynthetic Capacity, P Nutrient Status, and Growth of P Deficient Maize (Zea mays L.)
by Jon Niklas Henningsen, Bruno Maximilian Görlach, Victoria Fernández, Jasper Lauritz Dölger, Andreas Buhk and Karl Hermann Mühling
Plants 2022, 11(21), 2986; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212986 - 5 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1623
Abstract
The essential plant nutrient phosphorus (P) is key for numerous structures and processes in crops and its deficiency can severely restrict yield and quality. As soil P availability for plant uptake is often limited, foliar P application can be an alternative means of [...] Read more.
The essential plant nutrient phosphorus (P) is key for numerous structures and processes in crops and its deficiency can severely restrict yield and quality. As soil P availability for plant uptake is often limited, foliar P application can be an alternative means of supplying P to the plants during the growth period. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of foliar P application on photosynthetic parameters, P nutritional status, and growth of P deficient maize over time. Plants of Zea mays L. cv. Keops were grown with deficient and sufficient amounts of P in hydroponics. Foliar P treatments were applied to P deficient plants and several physiological parameters were monitored for 21 days. The variables measured were leaf gas exchange parameters, SPAD values, foliar P absorption, re-translocation rates, and plant biomass production. Foliar P application significantly increased CO2-assimilation and SPAD values and additionally enhanced biomass production in all plant components. Elemental analysis revealed increased tissue P concentrations following foliar P application compared to P deficient plants. While increased growth of P-deficient plants was steadily promoted by foliar P spraying for the entire experimental period, the positive effect on CO2 assimilation and P concentration was transient and vanished some days after the foliar treatment. P deficiency markedly impaired the efficiency of physiological processes of maize plants. As a conclusion, foliar P fertilisation improved physiological and agronomical plant parameters over time, but failed to restore plant functionality of P deficient maize plants during a prolonged experimental period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Surfaces: Physico-Chemical Properties, Interaction with Deposited Matter and Permeability)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Unravelling calcium absorption in peach and nectarine during fruit development measured using 44Ca isotope as a tracer
Authors: Francisca Carrasco-Cuello1,2*, Gregory Van der Heijden3, Josep Rufat2, Estanis Torres1
Affiliation: 1IRTA Fruitcentre, Fruticulture Program, Parc AgroBiotech, Lleida, Spain 2IRTA Fruitcentre, Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture Program, Parc AgroBiotech, Lleida, Spain 3INRA de Nancy, Rue d’Amance, Champenoux 54280, France
Abstract: Ca foliar applications have been well-described as an effective strategy to enhance peach postharvest quality. However, the optimal approach for implementing this technique concerning fruit developmental stages and cultivars remains unknown. In this study, we explored three different moments of Ca fruit application in peaches and nectarines: Early-season, Mid-season, and Late-season. For this aim, we employed the stable isotope 44Ca as a tracer, enabling us to quantify and locate the Ca derived from foliar fertilizer. Stone, flesh, and skin 44Ca enrichment was separately analysed at harvest. Our results indicate that Ca absorption in fruits from external CaCl2 treatments was influenced by the timing of application during fruit development, with Late-season applications proving to be the most effective in increasing Ca content in the fruit. Furthermore, the fruit Ca applications predominately remain in the flesh and the skin. Interestingly, fruit Ca applications arrive at the stone in all experimental situations, but the Early-season application results in the highest amount of Ca in this part of the fruit. In general, peaches exhibit higher Ca enrichment compared to nectarines and the skin was the most enriched part of the fruit followed by the pulp and the pit. In conclusion, the Ca absorption and distribution in peaches and nectarines depends on the cultivar and timing of application. To optimize external CaCl2 fruit applications in peach crops, we propose a model based on our experimental results, aiming to adjust the foliar fertilization concentration to achieve the desired percentage increase of Ca per fruit, considering the cultivar, the fruit part, and the application moment.

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