Root-applicable coffee silverskin solution acts as a biostimulant in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica): enhancing growth, metabolism, and soil microbial activity
Giovanna Salbitani, Rosanna Bossa, Federica Carraturo, Michela Salamone, Melania Di Colandrea, Maria Rosaria Chianese, Tammaro Bencivenga, Marco Guida, Francesco Loreto, Simona Carfagna
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Coffee silverskin (CS), the main by-product of coffee roasting, is generated in large quantities worldwide and represents a promising resource for sustainable agriculture. Here, we evaluated the biostimulant potential of an aqueous coffee silverskin solution (CSS) on the growth, physiology and metabolism of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, comparing root irrigation and foliar application.
CSS applied via irrigation significantly enhanced plant growth and metabolic performance, whereas foliar application had neutral or negative effects. Irrigation with 4% CSS increased leaf number (+62%), leaf area (+122%) and shoot length (+37%) compared to controls. Leaf fresh biomass increased up to ∼10-fold in irrigated plants. CSS irrigation also promoted higher chlorophyll content, improved photosynthetic performance (higher net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance trends), and reduced non-photochemical quenching, indicating more efficient light use. Biochemically, irrigated plants showed increased protein content (+50%), polyphenol accumulation (+59%), and auxin levels (up to +154%). In parallel, CSS irrigation enhanced soil microbial abundance and diversity, including beneficial fungi such as Trichoderma spp., suggesting a contribution of the rhizosphere microbiome to the observed effects.
Coffee silverskin-derived solutions act as effective biostimulants when applied to the root system, improving plant growth, metabolism and potentially soil microbial interactions. These findings support the valorization of coffee roasting by-products as sustainable inputs in crop production systems.
期刊介绍:
Scientia Horticulturae is an international journal publishing research related to horticultural crops. Articles in the journal deal with open or protected production of vegetables, fruits, edible fungi and ornamentals under temperate, subtropical and tropical conditions. Papers in related areas (biochemistry, micropropagation, soil science, plant breeding, plant physiology, phytopathology, etc.) are considered, if they contain information of direct significance to horticulture. Papers on the technical aspects of horticulture (engineering, crop processing, storage, transport etc.) are accepted for publication only if they relate directly to the living product. In the case of plantation crops, those yielding a product that may be used fresh (e.g. tropical vegetables, citrus, bananas, and other fruits) will be considered, while those papers describing the processing of the product (e.g. rubber, tobacco, and quinine) will not. The scope of the journal includes all horticultural crops but does not include speciality crops such as, medicinal crops or forestry crops, such as bamboo. Basic molecular studies without any direct application in horticulture will not be considered for this journal.