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An intercrop is studied here as a new way of farming in soilless systems within a protected environment. To estimate the efficiency of intercropping in this cultivation system, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution (2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 dS·m−1) on lettuce and tomato plants and on the agronomic and economic feasibility of the intercrop compared with monoculture. The results indicated that a moderate increase in EC from 2.0 to 3.0 dS·m−1 did not exert any important effect on tomato plant production or quality but did cause a decrease in lettuce yield in both the first and second crops. Intercropping was only feasible for lettuce when the tomato and lettuce plants were transplanted on the same day. The highest tomato (G class) and lettuce yields were achieved at an EC of 2.5 dS·m−1; this condition resulted in the highest intercrop profitability (0.53 €·m−2 more) when compared with tomato monoculture.

RESUMEN En México, el cultivo de tomate de cáscara o tomate verde (Physalis ixocarpa) se realiza en campo, en pequeñas superficies, con poca tecnificación y bajos rendimientos. Para conocer el comportamiento y aumentar su rendimiento, se evaluó el cultivo de tomate de cáscara cultivar Rendidora bajo tres estructuras de protección, con diferentes materiales de cubierta y su influencia sobre la radiación fotosintéticamente activa (RFA), la temperatura y humedad relativa del aire, el potencial mátrico del suelo, consumo de agua y rendimiento. Los materiales de cubierta fueron polietileno transparente, polietileno blanco y malla blanca tipo antiáfidos. Cada material de cubierta fue un tratamiento y el testigo sin cubierta. La densidad de siembra fue de 1,5 plantas/m2 establecidas en suelo, bajo un diseño en bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones y 20 plantas por unidad experimental en cada ambiente. La cubierta de polietileno transparente aumentó la temperatura del ambiente, el potencial mátrico del suelo y disminuyó la humedad relativa, también aumentó el consumo de agua (84 L/planta/ciclo) y su eficiencia (26 L/kg fruto) así como el rendimiento (3,23 kg/planta). Se concluye que la cubierta de polietileno trasparente aumentó en 114% la eficiencia en el uso del agua y en 158% el rendimiento de tomate de cáscara cultivar Rendidora.

The center of origin and domestication of Physalis spp. is Mexico, where 70 wild species and only two cultivated species are found. Fruits of wild husk tomato are collected by farmers for home consumption or for sale in local markets, where prices are higher than for the cultivated husk tomato. Despite their economic and nutritional importance, they have been little studied. The objective of this study was to determine phytochemical properties, nutritional value, total contents of phenol, anthocyanins and flavonoids, and the antioxidant capacity of the fruits of five wild genotypes of Physalis spp (Quialana, Jalieza, Vigallo, Ejutla and Miahuatlán), collected in the corn harvest season in five localities of Oaxaca, Mexico. The genotypes Quialana and Miahuatlán had the best physical characteristics, but their antioxidant capacity was lower than that of the genotypes Jalieza, Vigallo and Ejutla, which did not exhibit physical characteristics that are attractive for consumers. Moreover, the high contents of phenols and flavonoids, as well as the antioxidant capacity of all the wild genotypes studied, showed that Physalis spp. is an option for more frequent inclusion in the population’s diet. However, because of food globalization issues, production, commercialization and consumption of these wild species is disappearing.

The optimization of resources and time in the production of quality seedlings within a legal framework is of vital importance for greenhouse vegetable crops. This study evaluated the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution and its effect on the survival and growth of bell pepper and tomato seedlings propagated by cuttings. The electrical conductivities evaluated were 0.92, 1.25, 1.50, and 1.75 dS m-1. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The number of rooted plants, stem diameter, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of leaves, stem, root, and total were determined. In addition, the following indices were determined: stem root index, slenderness index, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, and pre-transplant horticultural quality index. In both crops, the highest number of rooted cuttings was obtained with the lowest electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, the average electrical conductivity favored leaf number, leaf area, biomass, and seedling quality indices. These results showed that the production of bell pepper and tomato seedlings can be done by cuttings using Stenier nutrient solution at electrical conductivities of 1.25 to 1.50 dS m-1 without affecting seedling quality.

The Agave potatorum Zucc. is a wild species endemic to Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico. The stem or “head” of the plants of this species contains a large amount of fructans, which, in conjunction with their crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), helps the agave to survive droughts. The soluble carbohydrates are used to produce mezcal. The objective was to evaluate growth and content of fructans of A. potatorum young plants grown in soil and perlite substrate, fertigated with three nutrient solutions, and subjected to drought. Eight-month-old plants were used and, for 15 months, were fertigated with nutrient solutions: 1) Steiner, 2) Hoagland and Arnon, and 3) Urrestarazu. Irrigation was later suspended to simulate a 5-month drought and induce stress. During fertigation, the vegetative growth was greater in plants irrigated with Hoagland and Arnon and Urrestarazu solutions in perlite and in soil. After the period of water deficit stress, plants in perlite substrate fertigated with the Hoagland and Arnon solution accumulated more fructans in the heads, reaching a maximum of 75%, than plants in soil substrate (42%).

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