Ammonium Excess Leads to Ca Restrictions, Morphological Changes, and Nutritional Imbalances in Tomato Plants, Which Can Be Monitored by the N/Ca Ratio

Both nitrogen and calcium fertilization management are vital for crops, where an imbalance of these elements can cause both physiological and yield problems. It has been proposed that nitrogen absorption, particularly ammonium, is in part dependent on calcium supply. Moreover, the balance between these two nutrients could be a key indicator of plant growth in some species. Tomato, one of the most cultivated crops worldwide, can also be widely affected by nutritional imbalance. Using large amounts of N fertilizers could lead to an imbalance with other nutrients and, thus, detrimental effects in terms of plant development and yield. Here we show that ammonium excess has a negative impact on plant development and results in calcium deficiency. Moreover, a deficit in calcium nutrition not only affects calcium concentration but also leads to a restriction in N uptake and reduced N concentration in the plant. These effects were evident at the seedling stage and also during flowering/fruit set. Using PCA analysis, we integrated both phenotypic and nutritional imbalances in seedlings and grown plants. Interestingly, the Ca/N ratio appears to be a key indicator to monitor appropriate N and calcium nutrition and more importantly the balance between both. Maintaining this balance could be an essential element for tomato crop production.

Examining the Effect of Education on Dietary Calcium Intake in Reducing Blood Pressure Variability Among Pregnant Mothers in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia, Two Arm, Randomized Control Trail Parallel Design

Background: Investigating effects of calcium diets on blood pressure can contribute to development of diet based recommendations for health. Epidemiologic data suggest contradicting evidence relationship between dietary calcium intake and pregnancy-induced hypertension. So, this study aimed to determine the effect of calcium nutrition education on blood pressure variability among pregnant mother.Method: Single center, two-arm, main individual randomized trial parallel design; single blinded was conducted among 415 pregnant mothers. Bi-variable tabulations were computed to identify the distributions of the outcome variables by selected background characteristics. We estimated a multilevel model that assessed the relation of individual and community level factors (fixed effects) as well as community level random effects. All analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software.Result: Blood pressure variability during pregnancy after 28 gestational age was significantly associated with weekly calcium nutrition education [AOR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.5], pregnant mothers who attained secondary school [AOR=0.21, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.70], employed pregnant women [AOR=9.05; 95% CI: 1.95, 14.02] , Antenatal Care [AOR=1.82; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.22], supplemented iron/folic acid [AOR=6.32; 95% CI: 1.09, 36.59], food craving [AOR=0.78; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.98], reading newspaper [AOR=9.05; 95% CI: 1.95, 14.02], place of residence [AOR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.36, 3.26]. Conclusion: Individual level factors (Calcium nutrition education, maternal educational status, maternal occupation, Antenatal care during last pregnancy and current pregnancy, iron/folic acid supplementation, food craving, dietary calcium level and reading newspaper) and community level factors (place of residence) were significant predictors of blood pressure variability. During antenatal visits, pregnant women should be made aware of some dietary practices which are harmful during pregnancy, and increase education regarding the benefit of adequate nutrition. Trail Registration: PACTR, PACTR202009693949631 and Registered 02 September 2020- Retrospectively registered