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Iodine, silicon, and selenium are considered elements not essential for the metabolism of plants. However, these elements are vital for humans, and their presence as traces in food is beneficial. The use of I, Si, and Se in the fertilization programs of the plants allows, on the one hand, the mineral biofortification of the crops and, on the other hand, through mechanisms not yet fully understood, the production and accumulation of more antioxidants in the edible organs. This chapter provides an overview about the use of I, Si, and Se both for mineral biofortification and for the increase in the concentration of antioxidants in plants, with an emphasis on redox metabolism adjustments and antioxidant chemical species studied. The scope of the chapter is on horticultural species in the open field and under greenhouse or tunnels.

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Vegetable production in greenhouses is preferred when soil quality is degraded by high salinity or incidence of pests and diseases. In these soils with abiotic and biotic issues, it is a challenge to increase the yield and quality of fruits. The use of rootstocks and organic substrates are effective and environmentally friendly techniques to solve that challenge. The objective was to study the effect of rootstocks on yields and quality in bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in either soil or coconut fiber substrate, in greenhouses. Using a randomized block design with three repetitions, the resulting treatment groups consisted of three rootstocks (Foundation-F1, Yaocali-F1, CLX-PTX991-F1 (Ultron), and non-grafted controls) with four hybrids as scions (Lamborghini, Bambuca, DiCaprio, and Ucumari). The yield of fruit per plant (YFP) and number of fruit per plant (NFP) obtained in coconut fiber were 85% and 55% greater, respectively, than in soil. The CLX-PTX991-F1 rootstock was superior to the hybrids without rootstock (p ≤ 0.05) in YFP and NPF (30% and 19.5%, respectively). The Lamborghini hybrid had significantly greater YFP and NFP than the Ucumari. We concluded that the use of coconut fiber significantly improves the yields of bell pepper and that the use of rootstock improves plant vigor and plant yield.

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El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el efecto de Azospirillum sp. y Glomus intraradices en el cultivo de pimiento de color amarillo en condiciones de invernadero. Los tratamientos consistieron en diversas combinaciones que incluían soluciones diluidas de Steiner con 2 concentraciones de bacterias (10 4 y 10 6 UFC ml-1), 2 concentraciones de endomicorrizas (25 y 50 esporas) y 4 tratamientos combinando bacterias y endomicorrizas. Se incluyó un tratamiento testigo con solución completa de Steiner. El diseño experimental fue bloques completamente al azar con 9 tratamientos y 20 repeticiones. Las variables altura de planta, diámetro de tallo, diámetro ecuatorial y polar de fruto, peso de fruto y rendimientos mostraron mejores resultados usando combinación de bacterias y hongos. La calidad nutracéutica (vitamina C, Sólidos Solubles Totales e índice de acidez) se mejoró con la inoculación de 50 esporas y 10 6 UFC ml-1. En carotenoides los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con 10 4 y 10 6 UFC ml-1 combinado con 50 esporas. Los minerales N y P aumentaron con el uso de los inoculantes en una dosis de 10 6 UFC ml-1 combinado con 50 esporas y una solución nutritiva de 50%N-50%P. La concentración de N y P se incrementó en fruto en ambas concentraciones de inóculo de bacteria y esporas de micorrizas.

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