Application of 2-Iminoselenazolidin-4-Ones (ISeA) for Beta vulgaris L. and Brassica rapa L. Plants Se-Biofortification

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic of the manuscript covers an under-researched area for tested species. The manuscript is well-written and well-structured. The discussion effectively explains the results obtained and compares them with those of previous studies. The selection of literature is appropriate. However, I believe that some revisions and improvements could strengthen the manuscript.

The title of the manuscript should be shortened.

Ensure that the keywords and the title are distinct and not repetitive.

The abstract should include the aim of the research.

In the results section, an explanation should be added to justify the selection of the mentioned species and varieties for the experiment.

In Figures 6,7,8 should be added axis-titles.

 

In Figures 6, 7,8 should be used different bar colours for different species

Author Response

We sincerely thank the reviewers for their work, high appreciation of our research and advice on improving our manuscript! We tried to take into account all comments and correct all inaccuracies.

Answers to the comments of the Reviewer 1:

Comment 1: The title of the manuscript should be shortened.

Response 1: We believe that the title, although long due to the presence of Latin names of plant species and the long name of the Se-containing compound used, most fully reflects the content of the manuscript. Therefore, we believe that it would be incorrect to introduce abbreviations and shorten the names of species in this case.

Comment 2: Ensure that the keywords and the title are distinct and not repetitive.

Response 2: In accordance with the journal template, in Keywords we have listed from three to ten keywords that are specific to the article, but are quite common within the subject discipline. We also added 2 keywords.

Comment 3: The abstract should include the aim of the research.

Response 3: We considered your very valuable comment and added the sentence disclosing purpose of the study to the abstract.

Comment 4: In the results section, an explanation should be added to justify the selection of the mentioned species and varieties for the experiment.

Response 4: The rationale for the crops we selected was described on the basis of biofortification experiments previously conducted by other authors in the Introduction section. We have also added this information to the results section.

Comment 5: In Figures 6,7,8 should be added axis-titles.

Response 5: Authors took your rightful comment into account and made changes to the figures.

Comment 6: In Figures 6, 7,8 should be used different bar colours for different species

Response 6: We took your comment into account and made changes to the mentioned figures.

 

Authors are grateful for the attention of the reviewers and hope that changes brought are to improve manuscript.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The resulting manuscript is nicely edited, easily readable material. 

I was particularly pleased to see that the authors also worked in a soil-free, hydroponic system, which is a very exciting and interesting area for growing crops under controlled conditions. 

The part of the Introduction chapter that talks about the mention of selenium biofortification in scientific publications is not important to me. After all, the novelty of the chosen topic is indisputable and, in my opinion, there is no need to show its importance from this point of view. 

The chapter on material and methods is a very well-edited and thorough piece of work, but I have a few questions and comments: 

- In subchapter 2.4 the properties of the basic nutrient solution used are presented, which I think would be worth showing in tabular form. 

- Were the germination and growing conditions the same for both plants? 

- What was the photoperiod (day/night)?

In the results section, the scale should be slightly enlarged for Figure 5. What is the unit of measurement of the measured data (pigment content, antioxidant content)? In Figures 6, 7 and 8, in what units are the data shown? And to what is it referenced? Dry or wet plant weight? 

Based on Table 3, if the plant does not receive any selenium supplementation, can it be said that it has no measurable selenium content? 

 

In connection with the discus chapter, I have a question: what other positive properties are associated with the enrichment of plants with selenium? Would it be worth trying selenium supplementation in other soilless systems, e.g. aeroponics, or other plants such as Lollo type lettuce? 

 

Author Response

We sincerely thank the reviewers for their work, high appreciation of our research and advice on improving our manuscript! We tried to take into account all comments and correct all inaccuracies.

Answers to the comments of the Reviewer 2:

Comment 1:  In subchapter 2.4 the properties of the basic nutrient solution used are presented, which I think would be worth showing in tabular form.

Response 1: You are right that it would be more clear to present the properties of the basic nutrient solution in the form of a table, but we believe that the use of widespread three-component mixtures for nutrient solutions should not be described so carefully, focusing attention on this and increasing the length of the manuscript.

Comment 2:  Were the germination and growing conditions the same for both plants?

Response 2: They were common for both species. We add this information in Materials and methods.

Comment 3:  What was the photoperiod (day/night)?

Response 3: We have added information on photoperiod in Materials and Methods.

Comment 4:  In the results section, the scale should be slightly enlarged for Figure 5. What is the unit of measurement of the measured data (pigment content, antioxidant content)? In Figures 6, 7 and 8, in what units are the data shown? And to what is it referenced? Dry or wet plant weight?

Response 4: Thanks for the note, this is our design error. We have modified the figures in accordance with reviewers' comments, adding the necessary information.

Comment 5:  Based on Table 3, if the plant does not receive any selenium supplementation, can it be said that it has no measurable selenium content?

Response 5: You are right; the selenium content in them was at trace levels (0.01 mg/kg), which may be due to accidental exposure and volatility of the compound when sprayed. We did not indicate this in the tables, since the selenium concentration was at the error level of other options.

Comment 6:  In connection with the discus chapter, I have a question: what other positive properties are associated with the enrichment of plants with selenium? Would it be worth trying selenium supplementation in other soilless systems, e.g. aeroponics, or other plants such as Lollo type lettuce?

Response 6: We consider it promising to use the studied compound for various soil and soilless methods of cultivating various crops that have the properties of increased accumulation of the element. For accurate recommendations for use, it is necessary to conduct large-scale experiments on various crops under different conditions, select treatment methods and optimal concentrations. We have mentioned this in the Conclusion section.

Authors are grateful for the attention of the reviewers and hope that changes brought are to improve manuscript.