| Effects of Foliar and Soil Iodine Applications on Biofortification Levels and Stress Factors in Some Leafy Vegetables |
| Paper ID : 1233-IGA |
| Authors |
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Bülent Topcuoğlu * Akdeniz University Sustainable Agriculture Department, 07058 Antalya, Türkiye |
| Abstract |
| Iodine deficiency remains a major global nutritional concern, prompting the need for effective strategies to enrich plant-based foods with iodine. Among the available methods, iodine biofortification—especially through targeted applications depending on plant species and growing conditions—offers a promising solution. The success of such approaches is influenced by plant traits, soil properties, application methods and dosages, and the plant’s ability to tolerate stress. This study aimed to enhance the iodine content of selected leafy vegetables—spinach, chard, lettuce, and red cabbage—through foliar and soil applications, while also assessing the effects on plant growth and stress responses. Conducted under greenhouse and substrate conditions, the experiment involved administering various iodine concentrations during the plants’ growth stages. At harvest, measurements were taken for growth parameters, iodine accumulation, and stress indicators. Results showed that both foliar and soil applications significantly increased iodine levels across all species, with species-specific differences in response. Spinach and chard exhibited the highest efficiency in iodine uptake, particularly from foliar applications. While lower iodine doses tended to boost yield, higher concentrations led to reduced growth and elevated stress markers such as malondialdehyde and total phenols. Notably, foliar applications resulted in greater iodine accumulation in spinach, chard, and lettuce, whereas red cabbage responded more effectively to soil applications. Stress responses were also more pronounced in foliar-treated spinach, chard, and lettuce. Overall, the findings indicate that a foliar application dose of 0.05–0.1% and a soil dose of 5–10 ppm represent optimal iodine levels for enriching leafy vegetables. These insights support the development of tailored biofortification strategies to address iodine deficiencies through plant-based diets. |
| Keywords |
| Biofortification, Iodine, Foliar and soil application, leafy vegetables |
| Status: Accepted |
