Lithium (Li) is the lightest metal in existence. Its effects on higher plants are still under discussion because both positive and toxic results have been reported in different species. In the last decade, the use of Li has increased considerably, and it is projected that Li waste will be an environmental problem in the near future, such that various organisms, including plants, may be altered by its presence. Interestingly, Li can trigger hormesis, with beneficial effects at low doses and inhibitory or harmful effects at high doses. Currently, numerous research groups are focusing their studies on agriculture to obtain crops fortified with Li, which represents a nutritional advantage in food if adequate concentrations are used. However, more studies are still needed in order to understand the biochemical mechanisms of the effects of Li on plants. This review describes the natural and anthropogenic sources of Li, as well as the concentrations of this element in different environments. Regarding the uses of Li in different areas, topics related to doses that cause toxicity and lethality in humans are addressed. Given its impact on crop production, mechanisms of Li uptake and transport in higher plants are reviewed, as well as the effects on plant metabolism and physiology. Likewise, the perspective on the controlled use of Li in biostimulation and biofortification of crops is addressed.

Salt stress limits productivity of crop plants, and differential responses may be observed among genotypes. Herein we analyzed the effects of saline stress induced by the application of different concentrations of sodium chloride (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 M NaCl) in a local Mexican variety of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) named ‘Atlapulco’ in vegetative stage. The NaCl concentrations were applied in the Hoagland nutrient solution used in irrigation for 14 days under greenhouse conditions, using perlite as a substrate. Analysis of variance and comparison of means were carried out with the data obtained. NaCl concentrations from 0.50 M reduced canopy coverage 36.8% and stem diameter by almost 21%, while all NaCl doses reduced the leaf area by 28.2%, on average, as compared to the control. Dry stem biomass and chlorophyll b were reduced by the saline gradient. Secondary stems and root length increased with 1.00 M by 23 and 29%, respectively. Proline concentration both in leaves and stems increased by 223.9 and 138%, respectively, when applying 1.00 M NaCl, compared to the control. Applying 0.75 and 1.00 M NaCl reduced N concentrations by 47 and 28.8% in leaf tissues, respectively, compared to the control. The concentrations of P and K in leaves, and K in roots also decreased with the saline treatments, while those of Ca and Mg were not affected in any of the analyzed tissues. The highest concentrations of Na in leaves were observed in doses 0.50 and 0.75 M NaCl, surpassing the control by 67.5 and 73.1%, respectively. The findings reported herein are very useful to propose programs for the recovery of saline soils in the region and design environmental policies aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change on food production.

Both chromosomal stability and instability are important in generating genotypes useful for plant genetic improvement. In the genus Haworthia the basic chromosome number is 7, with four large chromosomes and three small. The aim of this study was to analyze the stability and instability of chromosomes in dedifferentiated and redifferentiated Haworthia tissues under in vitro conditions. Leaf segments of H. marumiana var. batesiana, H. fasciata var. major, and H. limifolia var. ubomboensis were cultured in Eriksson basal medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) 2 mg L-1 + benzylaminopurine (BA) 1.0 mg L-1. NAA 5.0 mg L-1 + BA 1.0 mg L-1, or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) 5.0 mg L-1 + kinetin 1.0 mg L-1. Cytogenetic analysis showed greater chromosomal stability in re-differentiated root cells cultured with 5.0 mg L-1 of NAA + 1.0 mg L-1 of BA, by showing no variation in chromosome number (2n = 2x =14) and morphology in H. marumiana var. batesiana and H. fasciata var. major. Dedifferentiated callus cells had greater variation in chromosome number and morphology compared to redifferentiated root cells. The highest instability was observed with 5.0 mg L-1 of 2,4-D + 1.0 mg L-1 of kinetin, due to the lower retention of diploid number, the generation of aneuploidy and polyploidy with chromosome numbers of 13, 15, 24, 26, 27 and 28, and changes in chromosome morphology from acrocentric to metacentric forms. The variation in responses between and within species to the factors used (type and dosage of growth regulators, callus phase, subculture maintenance) showed that genotype plays a crucial role in the conservation of chromosome number and morphology, offering the opportunity to perform in vitro selection of clonal genotypes or new variants for genetic improvement of plants. Tanto la estabilidad como la inestabilidad cromosómica son importantes en la generación de genotipos útiles para el mejoramiento genético de plantas. En el género Haworthia el número cromosómico básico es 7, con cuatro cromosomas grandes y tres pequeños. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la estabilidad e inestabilidad de los cromosomas en tejidos desdiferenciados y rediferenciados de Haworthia bajo condiciones in vitro. Segmentos de hojas de H. marumiana var. batesiana, H. fasciata var. major y H. limifolia var. ubomboensis fueron cultivados en medio basal Eriksson suplementado con ácido naftalenacético (ANA) 2 mg L-1 + bencilaminopurina (BA) 1.0 mg L-1; ANA 5.0 mg L-1 + BA 1.0 mg L-1, o ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) 5.0 mg L-1 + cinetina 1.0 mg L-1. El análisis citogenético mostró mayor estabilidad cromosómica en células de raíces rediferenciadas cultivadas con 5.0 mg L-1 de ANA + 1.0 mg L-1 de BA al no mostrar variación del número (2n = 2x = 14) y morfología de cromosomas en H. marumiana var. batesiana y H. fasciata var. major. Las células de callo desdiferenciado tuvieron mayor variación del número y morfología de cromosomas en comparación con células de raíces rediferenciadas. La mayor inestabilidad se observó con 5.0 mg L-1 de 2,4-D + 1.0 mg L-1 de cinetina debido a la menor conservación del número diploide, generación de aneuploidía y poliploidía con números cromosómicos de 13, 15, 24, 26, 27 y 28, y cambios en la morfología de cromosomas de acrocéntricos a metacéntricos. La variación de las respuestas entre y dentro especies a los factores empleados (tipo y dosis de reguladores de crecimiento, fase de callo, mantenimiento de subcultivos) mostró que el genotipo juega un papel crucial en la conservación del número y morfología de los cromosomas, lo cual ofrece la oportunidad de realizar selección in vitro de genotipos clonales o de nuevas variantes para el mejoramiento genético de plantas.

The effects of three fertilization methods (FM) using the Peters Professional® 30N-10P-10K water soluble fertilizer were analyzed: fertilization in irrigation water (FIW), foliar fertilization (FF), and their combination (FIW + FF), as well as two substrate particle sizes (SuPS): larger particle size (LPS) and smaller particle size (SPS), on the growth and macronutrient status of Laelia anceps subsp. anceps (Orchidaceae). A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was established. Aerial and root growth, dry weight and concentration of macronutrients N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in leaves, pseudobulbs, and roots were all evaluated. The interaction of the study factors resulted in a greater number of leaves, while by simple effects, greater leaf area, number of pseudobulbs, root volume, and dry matter of leaves and roots were obtained, when FIW and LPS were used. With FF, greater growth in root volume was observed. There were no differences in the concentration of N in the growth organs analyzed, but due to the interaction of factors, a higher concentration of P, K, Mg, and S was observed in roots, mainly with FIW + FF and SPS; although for P, there was a higher concentration in FIW and LPS. In the case of SPS, the concentrations of K and S were higher in leaves, and in pseudobulbs P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were higher. The results showed that there are positive effects on plant growth when FIW and LPS are used, while higher concentrations of nutrients in leaves, pseudobulbs and mainly in roots are observed when using SPS.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar las propiedades nutraceúticas del higo (Ficus Carica L.) cv. Nezahualcóyotl deshidratado mediante osmo-convección. Debido a la escasa información sobre esta variedad en México, se evaluó el impacto del método de deshidratación en los compuestos bioactivos del fruto. El estudio se realizó en Texcoco, Estado de México, en 2024, utilizando 120 plantas de higuera en producción orgánica. Se tomaron 36 frutos aleatoriamente y se sometieron a deshidratación osmótica con concentraciones de sacarosa del 0, 40, 50 y 60%, seguida de deshidratación convectiva a temperaturas de 50, 60 y 70 °C. Se estableció un diseño completamente aleatorizado, donde se analizaron los datos a través de Anova, pruebas de Duncan o pruebas no paramétricas de Kruskal-Wallis según la naturaleza de las variables. Los resultados mostraron que los higos deshidratados osmóticamente con concentraciones de sacarosa del 40-50% y temperaturas convectivas de 50-60 °C presentaron la mayor retención de fenoles totales, alcanzando valores de hasta 1 652.96 mg taninos g-1 peso fresco. Además, la capacidad antioxidante aumentó en un 54% en comparación con el higo fresco, mientras que la vitamina C sufrió una degradación significativa a temperaturas superiores a 60 °C. Estos hallazgos aportan información sobre la variedad de higo Nezahualcóyotl y sugieren que la combinación de deshidratación osmótica y convectiva es una estrategia eficaz para conservar y potenciar las propiedades nutraceúticas que pueden tener impacto agroindustrial y comercial.