The objective of this research was to evaluate the production and phytochemical quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruits, in response to the foliar application of different seaweed extracts. This study was carried out under shadow mesh conditions in the autumn–winter agricultural cycle at the Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón, Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. The experimental design was completely random, using six treatments with six repetitions each. The treatments evaluated were: Macrocystis pyrifera, Bryothamnion triquetrum, Ascophyllum nodosum, Grammatophora spp., Macrocystis integrifolia, and a control treatment with inorganic fertilization. The substrate used was a mixture of sand and vermicompost. The yield, commercial size, and phytochemical compounds of the fruit were evaluated. Results showed that the yield using Steiner solution (6.75 kg m−2) was higher than that obtained with Bryothamnion triquetrum algae (6.07 kg m−2). Regarding the phenolic content, the extracts surpassed the control treatment, with Macrocystis pyrifera and Macrocystis integrifolia being statistically equal, with values of 47.37 and 43.73 mg equiv. of Ac. Gallic 100 g fresh weight, respectively. The antioxidant capacity by ABTS+ and DPPH+ methods was higher using the treatment with Macrocystis pyrifera algae with 149.4 and 454.1 μM equiv Trolox/100 g fresh base, respectively. This treatment also presented the highest value of vitamin C with 5.07 mg/100 g fresh base, being 27% greater than the control treatment. Algae extracts increased the quality of the fruits by obtaining the highest antioxidant capacity, making their use a viable option to minimize the application of conventional fertilizers, thereby attenuating the effects on the environment and improving the health of the population.
El presente trabajo pretende aportar información sobre el uso de sustratos orgánicos elaborados a partir de estiércol bovino tratado para la producción de pepino. El trabajo se realizó en Invernadero durante el año 2011 en el Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón (ITT), Torreón, Coahuila. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar; considerando cuatro tratamientos con cuatro repeticiones: vermicompost + arena (20:80 v/v); estiércol solarizado + arena (20:80); vermicompost + estiércol solarizado + arena (10:10:80) y un tratamiento testigo (solución steiner). Las mezclas de sustratos se formularon en base a volumen (v/v), utilizando bolsas de polietileno negro de 15 kg de peso. El material genético fue el híbrido Hisham 1110-EZ. Las variables evaluadas en planta fueron altura, peso fresco y seco, rendimiento, calidad de fruto, sólidos solubles y análisis químico foliar; en el sustrato se evaluaron parámetros físicos, químicos y microbiológicos. Los resultados indicaron respuesta significativa en altura, rendimiento y en el análisis del tejido vegetal, así como en CE y pH. El rendimiento de pepino fue mayor con la utilización de la solución Steiner (9.87 kg m-2); la mezcla de arena más vermicompost (80:20) obtuvo el mayor rendimiento de los sustratos orgánicos con un rendimiento de 8.45 kg m-2. Éstos resultados permiten suponer que la utilización del sustrato de arena con vermicompost, como medio de crecimiento y nutrición, podría permitir reducir la fertilización tradicional, lo cual se considera una mejora en los sistemas de producción orgánica bajo invernadero.
Consumption of fruits and vegetables provides natural antioxidants in the human diet that are capable of preventing diseases resulting from the action of free radicals. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of organic nutrient solutions on the nutraceutical quality of hydroponic cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) produced under greenhouse conditions. The applied organic solutions consisted of compost and vermicompost teas and vermicompost leachate, while Steiner nutrient solution was used as a control. Analytical tests were run to determine the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of the melon fruits. The nutraceutical quality (antioxidant capacity and phenolic content) of the fruits fertilized with the organic solutions was higher than that of melons fertilized using Steiner solution. Treatment with vermicompost leachate led to the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content among all of the treatments, resulting a 46.1% higher in antioxidant capacity (DPPH + method) and a 29.3% higher phenolic content compared with inorganically fertilized fruits. Vermicompost solutions (leachate and tea) are viable alternatives for use as a nutrient source in the production of hydroponic cantaloupe melon with improved nutraceutical quality under greenhouse conditions.
Currently, the use of nanoparticles is having an impact on agricultural production. There is evidence that copper nanoparticles have a strong impact on the growth and development of different crops. Biofortification specifically with (NPs Cu) improves the nutritional quality of food and its consumption has a positive influence on the health of humanity. The objective of this study consisted in evaluating the foliar application of copper nanoparticles (NPs Cu), on the weight of the fruit, nutraceutical quality and concentration of copper in melon fruit pulp. The treatments consisted of five doses of Cu NPs: 0, 1.8, 3.6, 5.4, 7.2 and 9.0 mg L -1 sprinkled foliarly. The variables evaluated were fruit weight, polar and equatorial diameter, firmness, total soluble solids, bioactive compounds and copper content in melon pulp. The results obtained indicated that the foliar application of NPs Cu, improved the physical and nutraceutical quality and the concentration of Cu in melon fruits. The highest weight and the best diameters of the fruit were obtained with the highest concentrations of NPs Cu (7.2 and 9.0 mg L-1). The concentration of 3.6 mg L-1 Cu NPs presented the highest antioxidant capacity with a value of 117,713 mg equiv. Trolox * 100 mg -1 PF, and higher content of phenols with 243.68 mg ac. gallic / 100 g FP, exceeding the concentration of 1.8 mg L -1 by 39% and the control treatment by 48%. The 3.6 and 5.4 mg L-1 treatments obtained the highest amount of flavonoids with values of 149.903 and 148.29 mg QE / 100 g -1 FP, respectively. Regarding the copper concentration in the melon fruit pulp, the 9.0 mg L-1 treatment presented the highest concentration with a value of 5.39 mg kg -1 PS; The results show that, statistically, there is a correlation between the copper nanoparticles and the phytochemical variables in melon fruits. It is concluded that the use of Cu NPs can be an alternative to enrich melon fruits, and could help to solve the copper deficiency in the diet of the population.
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