Nitrogen form and root division modifies the nutrimental and biomolecules concentration in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) continues to gain importance in the international market due to its effects on the prevention of human diseases. This leads to the need to optimize the production and quality of the fruit. The present research evaluated the effect of NO3- and NH4+, using the split roots technique, in the nutritional status, photosynthetic pigments and total sugars in blueberry leaves. A completely random experiment was established with six greenhouse treatments: three under homogeneous root conduction (HR) and three with split roots (SR). The concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, B and Na, chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), carotenoids (Car) and total sugars were evaluated in the leaves. The exclusive supply of NH4+ led to the largest accumulation of N, P, Mg, S, Cu, Mn and B, compared to plants treated with NO3-. The Chla and total sugars were higher with NH4+ compared to NO3- nutrition. The supply of N separately (SR) had no positive effects on the evaluated variables, however, the SR with half of N, in the form of NH4+, compared to the non-SR with full application of N, has no differences in N-leaf concentration, which implies a higher use in the uptake or accumulation of this macro element in plant. V. corymbosum L. with split root and half of N in the form of NH4+, doubled the N use efficiency, as it matches in yield the complete supply treatment of N-NH4+ without root division

Yield and quality of hybrid tomato grafted and cultivated under shade mesh and greenhouse

The objective was to determine the yield, fruit quality and root development of four grafted tomato hybrids grown under anti-aphid mesh cover and greenhouse. The grafted hybrids were grown under shade mesh and greenhouse from april to november 2014. Variables evaluated were: fruit weight per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of fruits per plant, polar and equatorial fruit diameter, vitamin C and lycopene contents, and root fresh and dry weight. Hybrids grafted and cultivated under anti-aphid mesh had higher quality than the production obtained under greenhouse. However, lycopene and vitamin C contents and accumulated root system dry matter are greater under greenhous

Influencia de cuatro concentraciones de solución Steiner sobre los nutrientes en la solución del suelo y productividad en tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

El desarrollo y productividad de los cultivos agrícolas está directamente relacionado con el suministro nutricional que estos reciben. La hipótesis de esta investigación es que la concentración de iones medidos en la solución del suelo, permite evaluar la eficiencia del manejo nutricional y su efecto sobre el cultivo, así, la concentración de iones está condicionada por el aporte mineral y los procesos de intercambio iónico del suelo. El objetivo de ésta investigación, fue medir el efecto de la aplicación continua de cuatro concentraciones de solución nutritiva sobre la concentración de iones en la solución del suelo y la respuesta en el cultivo de tomate bajo invernadero. El ensayo se estableció en suelo calcáreo bajo un diseño de bloques completos al azar con tres repeticiones, con plantas de tomate indeterminado. Los tratamientos fueron cuatro concentraciones con diferente proporción de la solución Steiner modificada para el cultivo de tomate: 1) 50, 2) 75, 3) 100 y 4) 125%, que fueron aplicadas de forma continua por fertirriego. En cada tratamiento se extrajo la solución del suelo y se midió la concentración de los iones NO3-, K+ y Ca+2, el pH y la conductividad eléctrica durante 18 semanas. Al mismo tiempo, se midió la respuesta en el cultivo. La concentración de la solución nutritiva, aplicada de forma constante al cultivo de tomate, presenta una relación directa con la disponibilidad de nutrientes. La solución nutritiva al 125% generó mejor crecimiento, fisiología, calidad comercial y rendimiento agronómico. El calcio fue el único elemento que se detectó en niveles suficientes en la solución del suelo a partir de una concentración de 50% en la solución nutritiva, debido a su alta disponibilidad original del suelo

Multiple Linear and Polynomial Models for Studying the Dynamics of the Soil Solution

The objective of the present work was to study the soil solution throughout time in pots under greenhouse conditions. The work consisted of monitoring the solution of calcareous soil and forest soil in the absence of plants, with different types of fertilization: treatment 1: absolute control (irrigation water); treatment 2: Steiner nutrient solution; treatment 3: solid fertilizers; and treatment 4: vermicompost tea (aqueous extract). The samples were collected weekly using lysimeters for 14 weeks. They were analyzed to determine the nitrate content, total nitrogen, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, zinc, boron, pH, electrical conductivity, and oxide-reduction potential. To understand the interactions between treatments, soil type, and time over ion behavior and availability, linear and polynomial models were used, selected by a cross-validation method, which resulted in robust models, where it was found that the pH behavior is associated with the type of fertilization and soil type, with the elapsed time being a nonsignificant factor. On the other hand, time influenced the dynamics of the remaining ions and their availability. It was found that the multiple polynomial model fit better for the variables: potassium, calcium, sodium (square degree), electrical conductivity, nitrates, sulfur (cubic degree), zinc, oxidation-reduction potential, nitrogen, magnesium, and boron (quartic degree)

Yield and quality of hybrid tomato grafted and cultivated under shade mesh and greenhouse

ABSTRACT. The objective was to determine the yield, fruit quality and root development of four grafted tomato hybrids grown under anti-aphid mesh cover and greenhouse. The grafted hybrids were grown under shade mesh and greenhouse from april to november 2014. Variables evaluated were: fruit weight per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of fruits per plant, polar and equatorial fruit diameter, vitamin C and lycopene contents, and root fresh and dry weight. Hybrids grafted and cultivated under anti-aphid mesh had higher quality than the production obtained under greenhouse. However, lycopene and vitamin C contents and accumulated root system dry matter are greater under greenhouse.RESUMEN. El objetivo fue conocer el rendimiento, calidad de fruto y desarrollo de raíz de cuatro híbridos injertados de tomate cultivados bajo cubierta de malla antiáfidos e invernadero. Los híbridos injertados se cultivaron bajo malla sombra e invernadero de abril a noviembre de 2014. Se evaluaron las variables: peso de fruto por planta, número de racimos por planta, número de frutos por planta, diámetro polar y ecuatorial del fruto, contenido de vitamina C y licopeno, y peso fresco y seco de raíz. Los híbridos injertados y cultivados bajo malla antiáfidos, tuvo mayor calidad que la producción obtenida bajo invernadero. Pero el contenido de licopeno, vitamina C y acumulación de materia seca del sistema radicular es mayor bajo invernadero

Effect of Graft and Nano ZnO on Nutraceutical and Mineral Content in Bell Pepper

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of grafting, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and their interaction on the nutritional composition of bell pepper plants. The treatments evaluated included grafted and non-grafted pepper plants with four concentrations of ZnO NPs (0, 10, 20, 30 mg L−1) applied to the foliage. The following parameters were evaluated: content of N, P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, total antioxidants, ascorbic acid, total phenols, glutathione, total proteins, fruit firmness, and total soluble solids. Grafting increased the content of N 12.2%, P 15.9%, K+ 26.7%, Mg2+ 20.3%, Mn2+ 34.7%, Zn2+ 19.5%, Fe2+ 18.2%, Cu2+ 11.5%, antioxidant capacity 2.44%, ascorbic acid 4.63%, total phenols 1.33%, glutathione 7.18%, total proteins 1.08%, fruit firmness 8.8%. The application of 30 mg L−1 ZnO NPs increased the content of N 12.3%, P 25.9%, Mg2+ 36.8%, Mn2+ 42.2%, Zn2+ 27%, Fe2+ 45%, antioxidant activity 13.95%, ascorbic acid 26.77%, total phenols 10.93%, glutathione 11.46%, total proteins 11.01%, and fruit firmness 17.7% compared to the control. The results obtained demonstrate the influence of the use of grafts and ZnO NPs as tools that could improve the quality and nutrient content in fruits of bell pepper crops

Complejo PVA-quitosán-nCu mejora el rendimiento y la respuesta de defensa en tomate

Currently the use of nanotechnology is revolutionizing agricultural production. Copper nanoparticles have been shown to influencethe growth and development of different plant species, in addition tooperating as stress resistance inducers. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the response in growth and yield,as well as the activation of the defense system of tomato plants. The treatments evaluated were a complex of polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan-copper nanoparticles (PVA-Cts-nCu), another complex of PVA-Cts and an absolute control (T0). The treatments were applied via foliar in tomato plants under greenhouse conditions. During the crop cycle, agronomic variables were determined, and the activity of enzymes related to stress tolerance such as β-1,3 glucanase, chitinase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), as well as the expression of the PR1 gene. The PVA-Cts-nCu complex increased yield, number of fruits, average fruit weight, aerialfresh weight and root freshweight, in addition, it promoted the defense system by increasing the PAL enzyme activity, as well as the overexpression of the PR1 geneActualmente el uso de la nanotecnología está revolucionando la producción agrícola. Se ha demostrado que las nanopartículas de cobre tienen un efecto en el crecimiento y desarrollo de las diferentes especies vegetales, además de operar como inductores de resistencia al estrés. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la respuesta en el crecimiento y rendimiento, así como la activación del sistema de defensa de plantas de tomate. Los tratamientos evaluados fueron un complejo de alcohol polivinílico-quitosán-nanopartículas de cobre (PVA-Cts-nCu), otro complejo de PVA-Cts y un testigo absoluto (T0). Los tratamientos se aplicaron vía foliar en plantas de tomate bajo condiciones de invernadero. Durante el ciclo del cultivo, se determinaron variables agronómicas, y la actividad de enzimas relacionadas a la tolerancia a estrés como β-1,3 glucanasa, quitinasa y fenilalanina amonio liasa (PAL), así como la expresión del gen PR1. El complejo PVA-Cts-nCu incrementó el rendimiento, número de frutos, peso promedio de fruto, peso fresco aéreo y peso fresco de la raíz, además, promovió el sistema de defensa mediante el aumento en la actividad enzimática PAL, así como la sobreexpresión del gen PR1

Grafting and Soil with Drought Stress Can Increase the Antioxidant Status in Cucumber

The availability of water and nutrients are determining factors for the growth and productivity of the cucumber crop. The implementation of the grafting techniques increases the efficiency in the absorption of resources such as water and nutrients, improving the quality, mineral content, and enzymatic activity of the fruit. The objective of this research work was to evaluate the effect of the anchor point (soil and substrate), graft (with and without graft), and irrigation volume (100 and 75%) on fruit quality, macro and microelement content, and enzymatic antioxidant activity. A total of eight treatments was established in a completely randomized experiment with a factorial design with a 2 × 2 × 2 arrangement. The results showed an increase in the fruit weight by 10% in grafted plants under 100% irrigation in the substrate, no significant differences between treatments were found in firmness or total soluble solids (TSS). Additionally, while there was a higher accumulation of potassium because of the graft, there was no difference for calcium. It was observed that the enzymatic activity was inhibited using the graft. The graft represents a viable option for the efficient use of water, both in the soil and substrate, being the substrate with the best environment for development, mitigating stress by decreasing enzymatic activity

Use of Chitosan-PVA Hydrogels with Copper Nanoparticles to Improve the Growth of Grafted Watermelon

Modern agriculture requires alternative practices that improve crop growth without negatively affecting the environment, as resources such as water and arable land grow scarcer while the human population continues to increase. Grafting is a cultivation technique that allows the plant to be more efficient in its utilization of water and nutrients, while nanoscale material engineering provides the opportunity to use much smaller quantities of consumables compared to conventional systems but with similar or superior effects. On those grounds, we evaluated the effects of chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with absorbed copper nanoparticles (Cs-PVA-nCu) on leaf morphology and plant growth when applied to grafted watermelon cultivar ‘Jubilee’ plants. Stomatal density (SD), stomatal index (SI), stoma length (SL), and width (SW) were evaluated. The primary stem and root length, the stem diameter, specific leaf area, and fresh and dry weights were also recorded. Our results demonstrate that grafting induces modifications to leaf micromorphology that favorably affect plant growth, with grafted plants showing better vegetative growth in spite of their lower SD and SI values. Application of Cs-PVA-nCu was found to increase stoma width, primary stem length, and root length by 7%, 8% and 14%, respectively. These techniques modestly improve plant development and growth

Rendimiento agronómico del jitomate suplementado con microelementos Fe, Cu y Zn

The tomato is one of the most important vegetables worldwide, so knowing the management of nutrition and its interaction in agronomic performance is important. The experiment was carried out in a low-tech greenhouse, of the Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro with the objective of determining the supplementary effect in different concentrations of the Fe, Cu and Zn microelements on the agronomic yield of the tomato crop. Three factors were evaluated that consisted of the supplementary applications of fertilizers based on Fe, Cu and Zn and two levels of concentration for each case, in addition to the control treatment (normal dose of the Steiner nutrient solution). The treatments were evaluated by a completely randomized design with 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, with 16 repetitions per treatment. The low doses of Zn exceeded the control 27.3% in the variable vitamin C, while, in the total soluble solids, leaf area (AF), leaf area ratio (RAF) and specific leaf area (AFE) the high levels of Fe exceeded to the controlin 16.4%, 138%, 112% and 44%, respectively; however, in yield the high doses of Cu exceeded the control 36%.El jitomate es una de las hortalizas de mayor importancia a nivel mundial, por lo que, conocer el manejo en la nutrición y su interacción en el rendimiento agronómico es importante. El experimento se realizó en un invernadero de baja tecnología, de la Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro con el objetivo de determinar el efecto suplementario en diferentes concentraciones de los microelementos Fe, Cu y Zn en el rendimiento agronómico del cultivo de jitomate. Se evaluaron tres factores que consistieron en las aplicaciones suplementarias de fertilizantes a base de Fe, Cu y Zn y dos niveles de concentración para cada caso, además del tratamiento testigo (dosis normal de la solución nutritiva Steiner). Los tratamientos fueron evaluados mediante un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 3 x 2, con 16 repeticiones por tratamiento. Las dosis bajas de Zn superaron al testigo 27.3% en la variable vitamina C, mientras que, en los sólidos solubles totales, área foliar (AF), relación área foliar (RAF) y área foliar específica (AFE) los niveles altos de Fe superaron al testigo en un 16.4%, 138%, 112% y 44%