Summary
White & Broadley (2009) present evidence, likely drawn from a broad comparative or meta-analytic dataset, that the mineral content of soil is the primary determinant of plant mineral composition, outweighing the influence of plant species or genotype in many contexts. The paper contributes to understanding of the soil–plant mineral continuum and has implications for strategies aimed at improving the nutritional quality of food crops through soil management. It situates soil mineral supply as a foundational lever for addressing dietary mineral deficiencies in human populations.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK arable and horticultural systems, where soil mineral depletion and variable micronutrient availability are recognised concerns; the study supports the case for soil mineral management as a strategy for improving crop nutrient density in UK farming contexts.
Key measures
Plant mineral concentration (mg/kg dry weight); soil mineral content; correlation coefficients between soil and plant mineral composition across multiple elements (e.g. Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Se)
Outcomes reported
The study examined the relationship between soil mineral concentrations and the mineral composition of plants grown in those soils, assessing the relative importance of soil mineral supply compared to other predictors such as plant species or genotype.
Topic tags
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