Evaluation of fertilization of hydroponically cultivated castor bean (Ricinus communis L.)

Objective: To determine the influence of fertilization on growth and seed yield of five accessions of castor bean (Ricinus communisL.) in hydroponics. Design/methodology/approach: Five outstanding accessions of the ColPos-Campus SLP castor bean collection were grown under hydroponics: El Orito (EO), Encarnación de Díaz (ED), Salinas (SA), Ranchería de Guadalupe (RG) and San Luis (SL). The NPK proven fertilization levels (ppm) were: low (NB; 140-50-150), medium (NM; 210-80-250); high (NA; 280, 110, 350), and a control (SF; without fertilizers). The experimental design was a randomized blocks, with a 5x4 factorial arrangement (accession x fertilization level). Results: The differences in seed production were only significant (?= 0.05) between the fertilization levels (1103, 973 and 967 g plant-1, for NB, NM, and NA, respectively) and the control treatment (31 g plant-1); there were no differences among accessions, having ED the highest seed yield (681 g plant-1). Regarding plant height, accessions without fertilizer (SF) reached 60 cm, while fertilized plants had a, average height of 170 cm, being SA the highest (180 cm). On the other hand, the highest oil content (38.4%) was obtained with the ML fertilization. Limitations of the study/implications: The present study did not show obvious limitations. Findings/conclusions : Regarding seed yield, there were significant differences only between not fertilizing and fertilizing at any level. Among the levels with fertilization, however, the differences were not significant, as well as between accessionsObjective: To determine the influence of fertilization on the growth and yield of five accessions of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) cultivated in a hydroponic system. Design/Methodology/Approach: Five outstanding accessions of the castor bean collection at COLPOS-Campus SLP were established: El Orito (EO), Encarnación de Díaz (ED), Salinas (SA), Ranchería de Guadalupe (RG) and San Luis (SL). The NPK (ppm) fertilization levels tested were: low (LL; 140, 50, 150), medium (ML; 210, 80, 250); high (HL; 280, 110, 350) and a control (NF; No fertilizer). The experimental design was a randomized blocks, with a 5x4 factorial arrangement (accession x fertilizer level). Results: The differences in grain production were only significant (?=0.05) between the NF control (31 g plant-1) and the three levels of fertilization (1103, 973 and 967 g plant-1, for LL, ML, and HL, respectively, with no differences among them). Regarding accessions, no differences were observed among them, having ED the highest yield (681 g plant-1). In the case of plant height, NF treatment reached 60 cm, while the other levels had an average height of 170 cm, with HL being the highest (180 cm). The highest oil content (38.4%) was obtained with the ML fertilization. Study Limitations/Implications: The present study had no obvious limitations. Findings/Conclusions: For seed yield, significant differences were found only between not fertilizing and fertilizing at any level. Between fertilized levels, however, the differences were not significant, as well as among accessions

Some Evidences on Effect of Intake Aguamiel (Agave sap)

Honeywater or aguamiel (Agave sap) has been consumed by Mexican population since pre-columbian times. Although, it has been claimed by folk belief that aguamiel possesses some medicinal properties, scientific studies on its effect on human health have not been well documented. The behavior of blood components in nine volunteers (two young males, three adult females and four adult males) after aguamiel consumption (250 mL every three days during a period of 35 days) was analyzed. It was found that, serum red blood cell count, serum white blood cell count, platelet count, minerals (Zn, Mg and Fe) and iron-related proteins (ferritin and transferrin) levels were not negatively affected because of all of these blood indicators ranged within normal reference values. However, this study showed that aguamiel presented a specific functional effect since hypercholesterolemic adult males showed normal levels of serum total cholesterol after aguamiel consumption, whereas total cholesterol levels were kept in normal ranges after aguamiel consumption for normocholesterolemic subjects. Furthermore, aguamiel consumption did not cause hyperglycemia in any of the tested groups