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Analysis of institutional authors

Hernandez-Apaolaza, LourdesCorresponding Author

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November 27, 2024
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Article

Beneficial Effect of Root or Foliar Silicon Applied to Cucumber Plants under Different Zinc Nutritional Statuses

Publicated to:Plants-Basel. 10 (12): 2602- - 2021-12-01 10(12), DOI: 10.3390/plants10122602

Authors: Lozano-Gonzalez, Jose Maria; Valverde, Clara; Hernandez, Carlos David; Martin-Esquinas, Alexandra; Hernandez-Apaolaza, Lourdes

Affiliations

Univ Autonoma Madrid, Dept Agr Chem & Food Sci, Ave Francisco Tomas & Valiente 7, Madrid 28049, Spain - Author

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient involved in a large variety of physiological processes, and its deficiency causes mainly growth and development disturbances, as well as oxidative stress, which results in the overproduction and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A possible environmentally friendly solution is the application of silicon (Si), an element that has shown beneficial effects under abiotic and biotic stresses on many crops. Si could be applied through the roots or leaves. The aim of this work is to study the effect of Si applied to the root or shoot in cucumber plants under different Zn statuses (sufficiency, deficiency, and re-fertilization). Cucumber plants were grown in hydroponics, with 1.5 mM Si applied at the nutrient solution or sprayed on the leaves. During the different Zn statuses, SPAD index, fresh weight, ROS, and Si, Zn, P, Cu and B mineral concentration were determined. The results suggested that Si application had no effect during sufficiency and deficiency periods, however, during re-fertilization foliar application of Si, it showed faster improvement in SPAD index, better increment of fresh weight, and a decrease in ROS quantity, probably due to a memory effect promoted by Si previous application during the growing period. In summary, Si application to cucumber plants could be used to prepare plants to cope with a future stress situation, such as Zn deficiency, due to its prompt recovery after overcoming the stress period.

Keywords

AccumulatioBoronChemistryGrowthIron-deficiencyOxidative stressPhosphorusPhysiological-roleSiliconSoybean glycine-maxWheatZn re-fertilizatioZn re-fertilizationZn-deficiencyZn-sufficiency

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Plants-Basel due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2021, it was in position 39/239, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Plant Sciences.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations from Scopus Elsevier, it yields a value for the Field-Weighted Citation Impact from the Scopus agency: 1.01, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 2.78 (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-05, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 7
  • Scopus: 7
  • Europe PMC: 5

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-05:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 14 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Lozano-González, José María) and Last Author (HERNANDEZ APAOLAZA, MARIA LOURDES).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been HERNANDEZ APAOLAZA, MARIA LOURDES.