Application of Protein Hydrolysate Improved the Productivity of Soybean under Greenhouse Cultivation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors determined the effect of application of Protein Hydrolysate on the Soybean Productivity. In present scenario low productivity of soils, boosting the production under controlled environment such as greenhouse cultivation combined with improved practices is critical to address food and nutritional security besides improving the livelihood security of the farmers. The results obtained in this study seem to be interesting, and the overall structure of the article is satisfactory; however, minor corrections are critical before publication.

The title needs to be changed to “Application of Protein Hydrolysate Improved the Productivity of Soybean under Greenhouse Cultivation”

Bring the hypothesis and objectives in a separate paragraph at the end of the Introduction

Abstract: L13: Protein Hydrolysate abbreviated as PH and presented as HP throughout the manuscript.. check it. .

Include “Greenhouse” in the keyword

Materials and Methods

This section has to be improved by segregating it under sub-sections

·       Experimental details

·       Treatment details

·       Enzymatic and biochemical analyses:

·       Gene expression analysis RT-qPCR

·       Growth and yield attributes

·       Statistical analysis

Results

This section is also required to be improved by providing sub-headings. Present the significant results and include the significance (p<0.05) in the results text wherever necessary.

Discussion

This section if satisfactory; however, I suggest authors cite some of the literatures from MDPI- agriculture journal which published similar kind of studies in recent times.

Conclusion

This section needs thorough revision. In present form, it is looking general.

Draw a key conclusions that obtained from this research and then recommendation and then Include the future scope of the at the end.

English language is a major issue in this article. Extensive English editing is necessary before publication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Extensive language editing is needed

Author Response

Authors determined the effect of application of Protein Hydrolysate on the Soybean Productivity. In present scenario low productivity of soils, boosting the production under controlled environment such as greenhouse cultivation combined with improved practices is critical to address food and nutritional security besides improving the livelihood security of the farmers. The results obtained in this study seem to be interesting, and the overall structure of the article is satisfactory; however, minor corrections are critical before publication.

REPLY: THANK YOU FOR THE NICE COMMENTS

 

The title needs to be changed to “Application of Protein Hydrolysate Improved the Productivity of Soybean under Greenhouse Cultivation”

REPLY: WE CHANGED THE TITLE AS REQUESTED

 

Bring the hypothesis and objectives in a separate paragraph at the end of the Introduction

REPLY: CORRECTED AS REQUESTED

 

Abstract: L13: Protein Hydrolysate abbreviated as PH and presented as HP throughout the manuscript.. check it. .

REPLY: CORRECTED TO HP throughout the MS

 

Include “Greenhouse” in the keyword

REPLY: INCLUDED

 

Materials and Methods

This section has to be improved by segregating it under sub-sections

• Experimental details
• Treatment details
• Enzymatic and biochemical analyses:
• Gene expression analysis RT-qPCR
• Growth and yield attributes
• Statistical analysis

REPLY: CHANGED AS REQUESTED

 

Results

This section is also required to be improved by providing sub-headings. Present the significant results and include the significance (p<0.05) in the results text wherever necessary.

REPLY: CHANGED AS REQUESTED

 

Discussion

This section if satisfactory; however, I suggest authors cite some of the literatures from MDPI- agriculture journal which published similar kind of studies in recent times.

REPLY: INCLUDED TWO REFERENCES AS REQUESTED

 

Conclusion

This section needs thorough revision. In present form, it is looking general.

Draw a key conclusions that obtained from this research and then recommendation and then Include the future scope of the at the end.

REPLY: CHANGED AS REQUESTED

 

English language is a major issue in this article. Extensive English editing is necessary before publication.

REPLY: WE SENT THE TEXT FOR A NATIVE ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCIENTIST, WHO IMPROVED THE TEXT

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This article reviews the effects of biostimulants (HP) on nitrogen metabolism in soybeans. The study found that biostimulants can promote nitrogen absorption and utilization in soybeans and enhance the expression of genes related to nitrogen metabolism.

Specifically, this article by the author addresses the following research questions: 1) The effects of plant-based biostimulants on photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen compounds, and enzyme activity in soybean leaves; 2) The impact of application methods (seed treatment or foliar spraying) of plant-based biostimulants on soybean growth and nitrogen metabolism; 3) The influence of plant-based biostimulants on the content of nutrient elements in soybean leaves and xylem; 4) The effects of plant-based biostimulants on gene expression in soybean leaves and roots.

I am very interested in the research process and results of this article. On behalf of myself, I congratulate the author on having an excellent report. However, I can still point out some issues and look forward to the author's improvements.

1) Please include your hypothesis in the last paragraph of the introduction. Currently, hypothesis driven articles are more likely to attract attention.

2) Please provide a detailed list of the ingredients of the biostimulant, such as nitrogen phosphorus potassium ratio, amino acid content, etc?

3) Have soybeans been fertilized?

4) Please provide a detailed description of the method for obtaining xylem sap.

5) Is glutamate synthase activity FD dependent or NADH dependent?

6) I strongly recommend the author to include multi recombination experiments in future research.

Author Response

 

This article reviews the effects of biostimulants (HP) on nitrogen metabolism in soybeans. The study found that biostimulants can promote nitrogen absorption and utilization in soybeans and enhance the expression of genes related to nitrogen metabolism.

Specifically, this article by the author addresses the following research questions: 1) The effects of plant-based biostimulants on photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen compounds, and enzyme activity in soybean leaves; 2) The impact of application methods (seed treatment or foliar spraying) of plant-based biostimulants on soybean growth and nitrogen metabolism; 3) The influence of plant-based biostimulants on the content of nutrient elements in soybean leaves and xylem; 4) The effects of plant-based biostimulants on gene expression in soybean leaves and roots.

I am very interested in the research process and results of this article. On behalf of myself, I congratulate the author on having an excellent report. However, I can still point out some issues and look forward to the author's improvements.

REPLY: WE THANK FOR THE NICE COMMENTS

1) Please include your hypothesis in the last paragraph of the introduction. Currently, hypothesis driven articles are more likely to attract attention.

REPLY: INCLUDED AS REQUESTED

2) Please provide a detailed list of the ingredients of the biostimulant, such as nitrogen phosphorus potassium ratio, amino acid content, etc?

REPLY: THE PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE USED WAS PRODUCED BY ACID DIGESTION OF COMMERCIAL COLLAGEN AND THUS, IT IS EXPECTED TO HAVE MOSTLY PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS. SINCE PEPTIDES DO NOT FULLY REACT TO PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS DETERMINATION METHODS, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE EXACTLY TO SAY THEIR CONTENT. WE INCLUDED THE CONCENTRATION OF PROTEINS, AMINOACIDS AND POTASSIUM.

3) Have soybeans been fertilized?

REPLY: YES, WE INCLUDED THIS INFORMATION

4) Please provide a detailed description of the method for obtaining xylem sap.

REPLY: INCLUDED

5) Is glutamate synthase activity FD dependent or NADH dependent?

REPLY: AS THE DETERMINATION WAS IN LEAVES, IT WAS THE FD DEPENDENT ENZYME.

6) I strongly recommend the author to include multi recombination experiments in future research.

REPLY: THANK YOU FOR THE SUGGESTION

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Soybean is a very important plant for people and industry. Seeds and post-harvest residues are an important source of protein (seeds also fat). Modernizing soybean cultivation technology is important for many farmers. That is why biostimulants provide progress in soybean cultivation. The introduction of the manuscript is well written. The research methodology is consistent. The results are well described. The discussion is good. The keywords are well chosen. The summary is logical. It is worth adding practical information for farmers, e.g. when to apply a biostimulant to increase soybean seed yields. References are good. The manuscript requires minor changes.

 article line 58:

Tamagno et al., 2017 - an article is missing in the chapter References.

article line 61:

Thibodeau and Jaworski, 1975 - wrong article number in the chapter References

article line 66:

Question 1

Why did you choose this soybean cultivar (Intact RR2 Pro 57HO123) for research? Does it have any special features?

article line 69:

Question 2

HP 0.20% was tested in the seed and foliar application. Such concentration was defined in previous results where the growth of seedlings was measured - what previous results are you writing about? Can you refer to another article?

article line 76:

the plants received a nutrient solution without N - please write briefly the composition of the nutrient solution (P, K, Ca, Mg ?).

article line 86:

Cataldo et al. 1975 - insert number 19.

article line 114:

After collecting the material for laboratory analysis, the dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots were determined - please write at what development phase the plant samples were taken?

article line 181:

Figure 2. (I) productivity of soybean plants - the graph shows the yield (what is the yield: seeds? above-ground part of plants? If it is seed yield how did you calculate it?

Please check and complete the References chapter.

 

Author Response

Soybean is a very important plant for people and industry. Seeds and post-harvest residues are an important source of protein (seeds also fat). Modernizing soybean cultivation technology is important for many farmers. That is why biostimulants provide progress in soybean cultivation. The introduction of the manuscript is well written. The research methodology is consistent. The results are well described. The discussion is good. The keywords are well chosen. The summary is logical. It is worth adding practical information for farmers, e.g. when to apply a biostimulant to increase soybean seed yields. References are good. The manuscript requires minor changes.

 article line 58:

Tamagno et al., 2017 - an article is missing in the chapter References.

REPLY: WE CHECKED ALL REFERENCES

article line 61:

Thibodeau and Jaworski, 1975 - wrong article number in the chapter References

REPLY: CORRECTED

article line 66:

Question 1

Why did you choose this soybean cultivar (Intact RR2 Pro 57HO123) for research? Does it have any special features?

REPLY: NO SPECIAL REASON. EVERY YEAR ABOUT 70 NEW SOYBEAN CULTIVARS ARE RELEASED IN BRAZIL DUE TO THE LARGE AREA CULTIVATED WITH THIS CROP. THE SEED WE USED IS ONE OF THE RECENT CULTIVARS RELEASED FOR THE SÃO PAULO STATE, WHERE THE WORK WAS MADE

article line 69:

Question 2

HP 0.20% was tested in the seed and foliar application. Such concentration was defined in previous results where the growth of seedlings was measured - what previous results are you writing about? Can you refer to another article?

REPLY: WE DID NOT PUBLISH THESE RESULTS BECAUSE THE ONLY DATA WE HAVE IS THE SIZE OF THE SEEDLINGS, WHAT PROMPTED US TO GO FOR SOYBEAN. WE USED TOMATO AND SOYBEAN IN THE TESTS.

article line 76:

the plants received a nutrient solution without N - please write briefly the composition of the nutrient solution (P, K, Ca, Mg ?).

 

REPLY: INCLUDED AS REQUESTED

 

article line 86:

Cataldo et al. 1975 - insert number 19.

REPLY: INCLUDED AS REQUESTED

 

article line 114:

After collecting the material for laboratory analysis, the dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots were determined - please write at what development phase the plant samples were taken?

REPLY: THEY WERE AT R5.1. THIS INFORMATION WAS INCLUDED.

article line 181:

Figure 2. (I) productivity of soybean plants - the graph shows the yield (what is the yield: seeds? above-ground part of plants? If it is seed yield how did you calculate it?

REPLY: WE CALCULATED JUST MULTIPLYING SEED WEIGHT PER PLANT BY THE NUMBER OF PLANTS FOUND IN A HECTARE IN BRAZIL. HOWEVER, WE DECIDE TO REMOVE THIS FIGURE BECAUSE GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION IS VERY FAR TO CONSIDER SIMILAR TO FIELD PRODUCTIVITY. THE FIGURE WILL NOT AFFECT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MS

Please check and complete the References chapter.

REPLY: CHECKED