Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer ISSN:0367-6315(Print) 2288-2162(Online) 한국토양비료학회 학회지

Micronutrients, essential elements for optimal growth and development of most crop plants, are also directly or indirectly employed in biochemical processes. Despite an importance, an information about micronutrient- affected metabolic changes is lacked compared to those of macronutrient. Here, an author describes several findings of metabolic changes from the shoots and roots of cabbage plants grown under 1/10 strength of optimal growth condition (Hoagland nutrient solution). The deficient conditions of all micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, B, and Mo) revealed a majority of primary metabolites was decreased in both tissues, whereas β-alanine was obviously enhanced. Moreover, micronutrient deficiency led to a significant reduction of secondary metabolism-intermediates, ferulic and sinapic acids. From the point of view of amino acid metabolism, Zn- and B-deficient conditions influenced similarly. Therefore, the findings from the present study provide new insights to better understand micronutrient-specific metabolic changes in cabbage plants.

Global metabolic changes in micronutrient deficiency-affected cabbage plants.