tries to link nutrition and genome. It plays an important role in correlating bioactive food components and disease prevention. Both sciences have in common
metabolomics as an essential component. However, one of the major bottlenecks
of current metabolomics is the sample preparation and identification of metabolite
peaks inspite of advances in computational methods. Another challenge is related
to the possibility for interpretation and application to an understanding of the
biological system of the complex information generated (Hendriks et al. 2011). For
this reason, procedure and technical improvements are expected not only in this
area but in all the above-mentioned.
1.12.4 Plant Nutrition for Increasing Phytochemicals
Currently, agricultural practices are focused on the optimization of nutrient
management through a better control of plant water and nutrient requirements to
improve plant health and crop yield. Nutrient solution is a key factor of yield and
quality of plants grown in soil but mainly in soil-less culture where the availability
of nutrient is inherently restricted (Sevil Kilinc et al. 2007). Soil-less culture is
commonly used in greenhouse cultivation. Therefore, it is essential to know some
important aspect when nutrient solutions are prepared such as pH, electrical
conductivity (which is determined by the total ion concentration), the balance
between anions and cations, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (Herrera 1999).
The first nutrient solutions emerged in the nineteenth century. Some nutrient
solutions widely used are Douglas, Hoagland, and Steiner solutions (Colinas-León
et al. 2006). Although these solutions are used for a vast array of cultures it is
important to determine suitable nutrient solutions for each plant species as well as
to adapt the nutrient solution when soil culture is issued since this substrate can
have its own nutrient input.
Plants are formed by many chemical elements. Traditionally, some of them
have been considered essential for their growth and development (nitrogen,
phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron). However, at the beginning of
the twentieth century it was realized that some other elements are needed for the
plants. These elements are called microelements because they are required in less
quantities, in minimal concentration than the ones mentioned before.
Several studies in plant nutrition have been carried out using nutrient formulations. Commonly, the main nutrient concentration (anion or cation) is modified,
whereas the other nutrients remain at a constant level. Nevertheless, it is necessary
to go beyond: what other elements need to be included in nutrient solution formulations in order to improve plant growth. These elements could be required in
very minimum quantities that at the moment are not considered in the formulations. Moreover, soil gives to plant not only inorganic nutrient but also it can be
found a biotic community that enhances plant growth (e.g., plant growth
promoting rizhobacteria) (Andrews et al. 2012). For this reason, the development
of new total nutrient cocktail solutions should take into account these elements, the
40
L. Garcia-Mier et al.
metabolomics as an essential component. However, one of the major bottlenecks
of current metabolomics is the sample preparation and identification of metabolite
peaks inspite of advances in computational methods. Another challenge is related
to the possibility for interpretation and application to an understanding of the
biological system of the complex information generated (Hendriks et al. 2011). For
this reason, procedure and technical improvements are expected not only in this
area but in all the above-mentioned.
1.12.4 Plant Nutrition for Increasing Phytochemicals
Currently, agricultural practices are focused on the optimization of nutrient
management through a better control of plant water and nutrient requirements to
improve plant health and crop yield. Nutrient solution is a key factor of yield and
quality of plants grown in soil but mainly in soil-less culture where the availability
of nutrient is inherently restricted (Sevil Kilinc et al. 2007). Soil-less culture is
commonly used in greenhouse cultivation. Therefore, it is essential to know some
important aspect when nutrient solutions are prepared such as pH, electrical
conductivity (which is determined by the total ion concentration), the balance
between anions and cations, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (Herrera 1999).
The first nutrient solutions emerged in the nineteenth century. Some nutrient
solutions widely used are Douglas, Hoagland, and Steiner solutions (Colinas-León
et al. 2006). Although these solutions are used for a vast array of cultures it is
important to determine suitable nutrient solutions for each plant species as well as
to adapt the nutrient solution when soil culture is issued since this substrate can
have its own nutrient input.
Plants are formed by many chemical elements. Traditionally, some of them
have been considered essential for their growth and development (nitrogen,
phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron). However, at the beginning of
the twentieth century it was realized that some other elements are needed for the
plants. These elements are called microelements because they are required in less
quantities, in minimal concentration than the ones mentioned before.
Several studies in plant nutrition have been carried out using nutrient formulations. Commonly, the main nutrient concentration (anion or cation) is modified,
whereas the other nutrients remain at a constant level. Nevertheless, it is necessary
to go beyond: what other elements need to be included in nutrient solution formulations in order to improve plant growth. These elements could be required in
very minimum quantities that at the moment are not considered in the formulations. Moreover, soil gives to plant not only inorganic nutrient but also it can be
found a biotic community that enhances plant growth (e.g., plant growth
promoting rizhobacteria) (Andrews et al. 2012). For this reason, the development
of new total nutrient cocktail solutions should take into account these elements, the
40
L. Garcia-Mier et al.