Iodine-Selenium Plant Biofortification via Salicylate Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for biofortifying plants with iodine and selenium face challenges in achieving optimal uptake and stability of these elements, leading to potential phytotoxicity and inefficient transfer to edible plant parts.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous iodine-selenium preparation containing potassium iodide, sodium selenate, and sodium salicylate, applied in the form of foliar or fertigation solutions, ensuring stable storage and enhanced bioavailability and uptake by plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If iodine and selenium are applied to plants using conventional methods, then the nutritional value of plants is improved, but the stability of the preparation deteriorates leading to iodine release or precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces salicylic acid as an intermediary substance that forms stable complexes with both iodine and selenium. This mediator prevents direct interaction between iodine and selenium that would cause precipitation, while also preventing iodine oxidation and release. The salicylic acid acts as a chelating agent that stabilizes both elements in the aqueous solution, enabling long-term storage without degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite preparation system combining iodine source, selenium source, and salicylic acid in specific concentrations. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects where the combination of ingredients produces greater stability and bioavailability than individual components alone. The composite structure prevents harmful interactions while maximizing nutritional value transfer to plants.
2Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of iodine and selenium are applied to plants, then the bioavailability and uptake are improved, but phytotoxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of iodine (0.01-5 g/L), selenium (0.001-1 g/L), and salicylic acid (0.1-5 g/L) in the preparation. By adjusting these parameters within specific ranges, the patent achieves high bioavailability while preventing phytotoxicity. The salicylic acid component also acts as a biostimulant that enhances plant uptake mechanisms at these optimized concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
Salicylic acid serves as a protective intermediary that facilitates the safe delivery of high concentrations of iodine and selenium to plants. It forms soluble complexes that prevent harmful precipitation and oxidation reactions, enabling the application of higher nutrient concentrations without causing phytotoxic damage. The intermediary mechanism allows safe transport of nutrients through the plant vascular system.
3Quantity of substance
If iodine salts are used in the preparation, then the iodine content is improved, but iodine release or precipitation occurs reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
Salicylic acid acts as a protective intermediary that binds with iodine ions to form stable, soluble complexes. This prevents iodine from undergoing oxidation to elemental form (which would cause release) or precipitating as iodine salts. The chelating action of salicylic acid maintains iodine in a stable, bioavailable ionic form throughout storage and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful property of iodine (prone to oxidation and precipitation) into a benefit by using salicylic acid to stabilize it. The same iodine that could cause stability issues is instead harnessed as a stable nutrient source through complexation with salicylic acid, turning a vulnerability into a strength.
4Quantity of substance
If selenium salts are used in the preparation, then the selenium content is improved, but the preparation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Salicylic acid serves as a stabilizing intermediary that forms soluble complexes with selenium ions, preventing precipitation and oxidation. This intermediary mechanism maintains selenium in a stable, bioavailable form in the aqueous solution, enabling long-term storage without degradation. The salicylic acid-selenium complex remains stable across a range of storage conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The preparation effectively increases the iodine and selenium content in plants, improving their nutritional value and human health benefits, while maintaining stability over time and avoiding issues like iodine release or precipitation, thus enhancing crop yield and quality.
Implementation Method 1
the addition of sodium salicylate to the preparation ensures that no iodine is released from the preparation, nor does the amount of iodine in the preparation solution diminish, by being released in the gaseous form or falling off as a precipitate
Implementation Method 2
Aqueous iodine-selenium preparations containing potassium iodide and sodium selenate... intended for biofortification of plants in iodine and selenium
Implementation Method 3
This is a process of cultivating plants rich in bioavailable amounts of elements that are not sufficiently present in the human diet
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is an iodine-selenium preparation, in the form of an aqueous solution, intended for biofortification of plants in iodine and selenium, the elements needed for the proper functioning of the human body. 1000 dm3 of the preparation contains 66-396 kg of potassium iodide, 6-36 kg of sodium selenate (VI), 2-30 kg of sodium salicylate, and possibly ammonia water in an amount of up to 50 dm3, and the pH of the preparation is in the range of 7-10. The object of the invention is also the use of the iodine-selenium preparation in plant cultivation, in a single dose of 0.5-1 dm3/ha of the crop, in the form of a working solution, where the preparation is applied to the leaves or roots of the plants.