Effect of Ascophyllum nodosum Alga Application on Microgreens, Yield, and Yield Components in Oats Avena sativa L.

At a Glance

Metadata	Details
Publication Date	2021-07-20
Journal	Agronomy
Authors	Barbara Drygaś, Joanna Depciuch, Czesław Puchalski
Institutions	Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rzeszów University
Citations	12
Analysis	Full AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Advanced Spectroscopic Components for Agronomy Research

This technical documentation analyzes the requirements of the research paper “Effect of Ascophyllum nodosum Alga Application on Microgreens, Yield, and Yield Components in Oats Avena sativa L.” The study relies heavily on high-performance spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and FT-Raman) to characterize subtle chemical changes in organic materials. 6CCVD specializes in providing the high-purity, engineered diamond materials necessary to build and enhance these advanced analytical instruments.

Executive Summary

This research highlights the critical role of advanced spectroscopy in modern agricultural science, specifically using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and FT-Raman techniques to analyze the chemical composition of oats treated with algae biostimulants.

Analytical Requirement: High-resolution chemical fingerprinting of organic samples (oat seeds and microgreens) was achieved using specialized optical components, including an Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) and an Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) crystal plate.
Diamond Enabling Technology: The performance and robustness of such spectroscopic systems are fundamentally limited by the optical materials used. High-purity Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) is the premier material for ATR crystals and high-power laser optics due to its broad spectral transparency (UV to Far-IR), chemical inertness, and exceptional thermal management capabilities.
6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD provides custom-engineered SCD plates and wafers, offering superior alternatives to traditional optical materials (e.g., Germanium or standard diamond viewing windows) for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and durability in demanding chemometric applications.
Key Achievement: The study successfully separated control and treated oat samples based on spectral variations in sugar and protein functional groups, validating the need for highly stable and sensitive analytical platforms.
Sales Focus: We target manufacturers and research labs developing next-generation FTIR/Raman systems, offering custom SCD components for ATR units, high-power laser windows, and thermal management solutions.

Technical Specifications

The following data points extracted from the paper define the operational parameters of the analytical equipment used, which directly inform the material requirements for 6CCVD diamond components.

Parameter	Value	Unit	Context
FT-Raman Excitation Source	Nd:YAG (1064)	nm	Requires high-damage threshold optics
FT-Raman Laser Power	0.5	W	Requires excellent thermal management
FT-Raman Spectral Range	150 - 3700	cm^-1	Defines material transparency requirements
FT-Raman Resolution	8	cm^-1	High-resolution requirement
FTIR Detector Type	MCT (Liquid N₂-cooled)	N/A	Used with ATR crystal plate
FTIR Scanning Range	600 - 4000	cm^-1	Defines material transparency requirements
FTIR Resolution	4	cm^-1	High-resolution requirement
ATR Crystal Material Used	Viewing Diamond	N/A	Direct application for 6CCVD SCD
Seed Soaking Temperature	20 ± 1	°C	Controlled sample preparation
Magnetic Field Stimulation	50 mT @ 50 Hz	N/A	Pre-sowing treatment factor

Key Methodologies

The research relied on precise material preparation and advanced spectroscopic analysis, demonstrating the need for robust, high-performance analytical tools.

Sample Preparation: Oat seeds (cv. Bingo) were soaked for 24 h in demineralized water containing homogenized Ascophyllum nodosum algae at concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 15% (w/v).
Microgreens Experiment (FTIR): 10-day-old oat microgreens were dried, ground, and analyzed using a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer (Vartex 70v).
FTIR Optical Setup: Data acquisition utilized an Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) unit equipped with a viewing diamond crystal plate and a liquid nitrogen-cooled Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) detector.
Seed Experiment (FT-Raman): Dried oat seeds were analyzed using an FT-Raman Spectrometer (Nicolet NXR 9650) employing an Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) at 0.5 W power.
Chemometric Analysis: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares (PLS) were performed on the spectral data (800-1800 cm^-1 for FTIR; 500-1700 cm^-1 for Raman) to identify and separate samples based on chemical differences (polysaccharides, proteins).

6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities

The rigorous spectroscopic analysis required for this agronomy research demands the highest quality optical and thermal materials. 6CCVD’s MPCVD diamond is engineered to exceed the performance limitations of conventional materials, enabling the next generation of high-throughput analytical instruments.

Applicable Materials for Spectroscopic Enhancement

Research Requirement	6CCVD Material Solution	Technical Advantage
ATR Crystal Plate	Optical Grade SCD (Single Crystal Diamond)	Superior chemical inertness, hardness, and broad spectral transparency (eliminating spectral cutoffs common in other materials like ZnSe or Ge). SCD ensures high-fidelity spectral data across the entire 600-4000 cm^-1 FTIR range.
High-Power Laser Optics	Optical Grade SCD Wafers	SCD possesses the highest thermal conductivity and lowest absorption coefficient, making it ideal for windows and output couplers in high-power Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser systems, preventing thermal lensing and drift.
Detector Cooling/Stability	High Thermal Conductivity PCD	Used as heat spreaders (up to 2000 W/mK) for the MCT detector or the Nd:YAG laser, ensuring stable operating temperatures and maintaining the 4 cm^-1 resolution required for chemometric separation.
Future Electrochemical Sensing	Heavy Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD)	For extending the research to analyze nutrient availability or redox potential in the soil/rhizosphere, BDD electrodes offer unparalleled stability and sensitivity in harsh chemical environments.

Customization Potential for Analytical Systems

6CCVD provides bespoke manufacturing services essential for integrating diamond into specialized analytical equipment:

Custom Dimensions: We supply SCD and PCD plates/wafers up to 125mm in diameter, allowing for large-area ATR crystal designs or custom laser windows, exceeding the size limitations of standard components.
Precision Polishing: For critical optical applications like ATR crystals, 6CCVD guarantees ultra-low surface roughness, achieving Ra < 1nm for SCD and Ra < 5nm for inch-size PCD, minimizing scattering losses and maximizing signal throughput.
Advanced Metalization: We offer in-house metalization services (Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, Cu) for enhanced thermal sinking and bonding. This is crucial for mounting diamond heat spreaders to the Nd:YAG laser assembly or the MCT detector housing, ensuring long-term stability under continuous operation.
Thickness Control: We provide SCD and PCD materials with precise thickness control (0.1µm to 500µm for optical layers; up to 10mm for substrates) to meet specific optical path length requirements for ATR and transmission spectroscopy.

Engineering Support

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team offers expert consultation on material selection and integration for similar spectroscopic analysis and advanced sensing projects. We assist engineers in optimizing diamond properties (e.g., nitrogen concentration, doping levels, crystal orientation) to maximize the performance of high-end analytical instruments used in fields ranging from agronomy to quantum technology.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

This paper describes the influence of Ascophyllum nodosum algae on the seeds, microgreens, yield, and yield components of oat Avena sativa cv. Bingo. This article includes the results from three experiments. In one of the experiments, the oat seeds were soaked in a solution of demineralized water with dried comminuted and homogenized algae. For the FT-Raman spectra measurements, a spectrometer with an Nd:YAG laser, with a germanium detector, was used. The results obtained show that an excessively low as well as an excessively high alga concentration did not have an influence on the change in oat composition. Other algae concentrations that were used in these experiments caused significant chemical changes in the oat seeds. For the FT-Raman data, separation of the control from all the oat grains treated with different algae concentrations was possible. The aim of the pot experiment was to determine the effect of the application of algae (in different doses) on the A. sativa green mass of young plants (microgreens). The certified oat seeds, after being soaked in a solution with algae, were planted in the ground. For the chemometric analysis of the oat samples, a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer device was used. The data were recorded with a viewing diamond with an attenuated total reflection (ATR) crystal plate. The FTIR spectra showed that soaking in an algae suspension affected the germination, general metabolism, and chemical composition of the oats. The use of algae did not change the lipid content of the plant. The three-year field experiment was established by introducing two factors: A. nodosum application (A) and a pre-sowing stimulation with a low-frequency magnetic field (S). The influence of experimental factors on the oat yield and its structure (yield structure components and yield components) was investigated. The beneficial effect of algae on oat yield was demonstrated by improved parameters such as the number and weight of the grains; however, under field conditions, the pre-sowing magnetic field stimulation of seeds did not have a beneficial effect. Various weather conditions also had a great influence on the yield. This study also considered the role of A. nodosum as a biostimulant in plants, and this showed potential under less favorable conditions.

Tech Support

Original Source

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11071446

References

2014 - Urban cultivation in allotments maintains soil qualities adversely affected by conventional agriculture [Crossref]
2005 - Resource-Conserving Agriculture Increases Yields in Developing Countries [Crossref]
2014 - Sustainable intensification in agricultural systems [Crossref]
2018 - Global assessment of agricultural system redesign for sustainable intensification [Crossref]
2016 - Physical Methods for Seed Invigoration: Advantages and Challenges in Seed Technology
2012 - Physical factors for plant growth stimulation improve food quality
2019 - Ascophyllum nodosum-Based Biostimulants: Sustainable Applications in Agriculture for the Stimulation of Plant Growth, Stress Tolerance, and Disease Management [Crossref]
2013 - Agrobiodiversity for food security, health and income [Crossref]
2015 - Innovative Seed Treatment with Algae Homog-enate [Crossref]
2015 - The Use of Biostimulants for Enhancing Nutrient Uptake [Crossref]