Pepino dulce (Solanum muricatum Ait.) of the family Solanaceae is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Andes. Pepino dulce fruit can be harvested at different stages of ripeness. As the majority of vegetables of the family Solanaceae, the fruit is abundant in potassium. Since there are no fertilizer recommendations for pepino dulce grown under cover, a study was launched to determine the fertilizer requirements of this vegetable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing magnesium rates and fruit ripeness stages on macronutrient content and ratios in the fruit of pepino dulce cv. Konsuelo. A two-factorial experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted in 2005-2007, in a tall, unheated, plastic tunnel at the Experimental Garden of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Pepino dulce was propagated by cuttings taken from stock plants grown from seeds in 2004. The rooted cuttings were transferred to Kick-Brauchman pots filled with 9 dm 3 mineral soil with pH 6.8. Experimental factors were as follows: I-Mg rates: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 g Mg plant-1 , II-fruit ripeness stages: ripe fruit showing a typical fully ripe color (yellowish-purple, yellow, cream), unripe green-colored fruit that has reached a typical form and size. The experiment was performed in four replications, and each replication comprised a pot with a single plant. Every pot was fertilized with 2 g N applied as CO(NH 2) 2 , 3 g K applied as K 2 SO 4 and increasing rates of Mg applied as MgSO 4 ⋅7 H 2 O. Non-fertilized plants served as a control treatment. The plants were pruned for two stems. Fruit samples for chemical analyses were collected at full ripening (in mid-August).
Station owned by the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The experiment had a randomized block design with three replications. The first experimental factor was a number of common onion cultivars: 'Whitney Wing F1', 'Spirit F1' and 'Red Baron'. The second experimental factor was the effect of two plant growth biostimulants; Calleaf Aminovital and Maximus Amino Protect, on the yield and quality of the onions. In the control treatment, plots were sprayed with water. The total yield, marketable yield and the marketable yield as a percentage of the total yield, the weight, vertical diameter and horizontal diameter of each onion bulb, the content of dry matter, total sugars, reducing sugars, L-ascorbic acid and nitrates (V) in the onions were determined in the study. The evaluated cultivars differed significantly with regard to the weight and size of the onions. Onions of cv. 'Whitney Wing F1' were characterized by a greater yield, and the weight, vertical diameter and horizontal diameter of the bulbs were all higher than they were for the remaining cultivars. The concentrations of dry matter, total sugars, L-ascorbic acid and nitrates (V) were higher in cv. 'Red Baron'. The contents of L-ascorbic acid and nitrates (V) were significantly affected by the application of biostimulants, and the effects were more pronounced for onions treated with Maximus Amino Protect. The interaction between the experimental factors had a significant effect on the weight of individual onion bulbs, and on the concentrations of dry matter and L-ascorbic acid in the edible plant parts.
Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the cultivation and consumption of peppers. Therefore, new solutions are being sought to provide pepper plants with the most favorable conditions for growth and development. In view of the above, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of selected biostimulants on the biometric parameters, yield and nutritional value of Capsicum annuum fruit. The research hypothesis postulates that biostimulants can increase the yield and improve the nutritional quality of pepper fruit. The experiment was conducted in an unheated plastic tunnel. The experimental materials comprised three sweet (‘Solario F1’, ‘Turbine F1’ and ‘Whitney F1’) and two hot (‘Cyklon’ and ‘Palivec’) cultivars of C. annuum. It was found that the combined application of environmentally-friendly microbial-based biostimulants (BB Soil, BB Foliar, Multical, MK5 and Biocin F) did not clearly improve the morphological traits of pepper fruit, yield or the concentrations of sugars and organic acids in fruit, therefore their use is not economically justified. Hot peppers had a higher content of dry matter, total sugars and L-ascorbic acid than sweet peppers. The analyzed biostimulants increased nitrate (V) concentrations in the fruit of both hot and sweet peppers. ‘Turbine F1’ and ‘Solario F1’ were particularly prone to nitrate (V) accumulation in fruit, therefore the use of biostimulants should be limited in their cultivation. Pepper fruits with the largest horizontal diameter and the thickest skin should be preferred because these traits are associated with high sugar content.
Shallots (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group) are cultivated on small areas, mostly to harvest mature bulbs with dry scales. Due to their exceptional taste and nutritional value, and a short growing season, they can also be grown for early bunch harvest. New shallot cultivation strategies are being sought to meet consumers’ growing expectations regarding the quality of vegetables, and their increasing awareness of global food safety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of selected biostimulants on the biometric parameters, yield and nutritional value of shallot bulbs and leaves. The experimental factors were as follows: two biostimulant types—Effective Microorganisms (EM) and Goëmar Goteo (GG), two shallot cultivars—Bonilla F1 and Matador F1, grown for bunch harvest, and year of the study. Shallot leaves had a higher content of L-ascorbic acid, reducing sugars and nitrates than bulbs. Young bulbs had a higher content of DM and total sugars than leaves. The leaves and bulbs of shallot plants treated with EM accumulated the highest amounts of minerals. Macronutrient ratios were closer to optimal in shallot leaves than bulbs. The nitrate content of bulbs was inversely proportional to the nitrate content of leaves. Therefore, an increase in the nitrate content of leaves by around 330% led to an approximately 40% decrease in the nitrate content of bulbs. The correlations between the parameters of the chemical composition of shallots and shallot leaves show that the increase in the dry matter content of the bulbs (by approx. 60%) was accompanied by an increase in the L-ascorbic acid content in the leaves (by approx. 240%). The use of biostimulants in the cultivation of A. cepa L. Aggregatum group contributed to the reduction of L-ascorbic acid content in bulbs and had no positive effect on the leaves. Moreover, no positive effect of biostimulants on the reduction of nitrate content in shallot leaves and bulbs was observed, which is undesirable from the consumer’s point of view. After the use of biopreparations, the yield of shallots was lower than that of the control—by approx. 14% (EM) and approx. 4% (GG). Therefore, the measurable benefits of biostimulants in the cultivation of shallots grown for early bunch harvest do not balance the costs of their purchase and use.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.