Horticulturae

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15 pages, 1566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biostimulants Improve Bulb Yield, Concomitantly Affecting the Total Phenolics, Flavonoids, and Antioxidant Capacity of Onion (Allium cepa)

by Đorđe Vojnović, Ivana Maksimović, Aleksandra Tepić Horecki, Anita Milić, Zdravko Šumić, Danijela Žunić, Boris Adamović and Žarko Ilin

Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040391 - 11 Apr 2024

Viewed by 484

Abstract

In the pursuit of maximizing onion (Allium cepa) yield and quality, farmers often face the challenges of unfavorable ecological conditions and inadequate agronomic practices. Therefore, our two-year study investigated the effects of biostimulants (BTs) of plant growth on bulb yield and [...] Read more.

In the pursuit of maximizing onion (Allium cepa) yield and quality, farmers often face the challenges of unfavorable ecological conditions and inadequate agronomic practices. Therefore, our two-year study investigated the effects of biostimulants (BTs) of plant growth on bulb yield and the bioactive compounds of directly seeded onion. Four treatments were applied: control (C), seaweed extracts (BT1), humic and fulvic acid (BT2), and Trichoderma spp. (BT3). The results demonstrated a significant increase in bulb yield with BT1 (↑ 18.7%), BT2 (↑ 18.0%), and BT3 (↑ 24.3%). Intriguingly, all BTs markedly reduced phenolic content across both years. Additionally, BT1 and BT3 elevated flavonoid levels (↑ 16.8% and ↑ 16.7%, respectively), while BT2 decreased them (↓ 24.2%). Notably, in 2021, DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS tests indicated a significant reduction in antioxidant capacity compared to C. Our study underscores the important role of BTs in enhancing yield, influencing secondary metabolites and contributing to environmental sustainability in onion cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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16 pages, 6037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Foliar Treatment with Suspensions Rich in Trichoderma Chlamydospores on Momordica charantia Physiology, Yield, and Quality

by Ioana-Alexandra Bala, Tatiana Eugenia Șesan, Anca Oancea, Oana Craciunescu, Marius Ghiurea, Iuliana Răut, Bogdan Trică, Cristian-Andi Nicolae, Diana Constantinescu-Aruxandei and Florin Oancea

Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040371 - 07 Apr 2024

Viewed by 490

Abstract

Several strategies promote phyllosphere colonization by soil-born Trichoderma plant-beneficial strains. One of these strategies is foliar spraying with suspensions containing large amounts of chlamydospores—spores with thick cell wall structures that make them highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Trichoderma biomass was produced by [...] Read more.

Several strategies promote phyllosphere colonization by soil-born Trichoderma plant-beneficial strains. One of these strategies is foliar spraying with suspensions containing large amounts of chlamydospores—spores with thick cell wall structures that make them highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Trichoderma biomass was produced by cultivation on a cornmeal medium and compared with the biomass produced on potato dextrose broth by microscopic and thermogravimetric analyses. The analyses revealed increased chlamydospore content and thermostability in the fungal biomass produced on the corn meal medium. The Trichoderma suspension rich in chlamydospores was sprayed on bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) leaves at two inoculant concentrations, 10⁶ and 10⁸ ufc/mL. The effect of these treatments on the plant physiological parameters, leaf photosynthetic pigments, polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activities of the leaves and fruits, and yield was compared to the control (plants sprayed with water) and to the experimental treatment involving spraying with 10⁸ ufc/mL of propagules produced in potato dextrose broth. The effect of chlamydospore-rich suspensions on plant physiological parameters was more pronounced and long-lasting compared with the other treatments. The treatment with chlamydospore-rich suspension enhanced the accumulation of polyphenols and flavonoids in the leaves (by 17% and 50%, respectively) and fruits (by 18% and 31%, respectively) and increased the antioxidant activity. The Trichoderma treatment increased the yield by +25.33–53.07%. The application of the foliar treatment with Trichoderma suspensions did not modify the cytocompatibility of the extracts from the fruits determined on the L929 cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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14 pages, 1364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Two Locally Sourced Bio-Inocula to Improve Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Soils and Increase Macro and Micronutrient Nutrient Concentration in Edamame (Glycine max. L.) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

by Kishan Mahmud, Dorcas Franklin, Miguel Cabrera, Laura Ney, Subash Dahal and Anish Subedi

Horticulturae 2023, 9(11), 1200; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9111200 - 04 Nov 2023

Viewed by 971

Abstract

Soil macro- and micronutrient nutrient availability and their uptake by plants are critically reliant upon an active presence of the soil microbiome. This study investigated the effect of two locally sourced bio-inocula, local effective microorganisms (LEMs) and false-local effective microorganisms (F-LEMs), on plant [...] Read more.

Soil macro- and micronutrient nutrient availability and their uptake by plants are critically reliant upon an active presence of the soil microbiome. This study investigated the effect of two locally sourced bio-inocula, local effective microorganisms (LEMs) and false-local effective microorganisms (F-LEMs), on plant available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and the uptake of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) content in edamame (Glycine max. L.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) grown in a randomized complete block design with four reps, summer 2017 and 2018, respectively. LEM plots showed greater plant-available N during the first week (edamame season) and fourth week (pumpkin season) after treatment applications. During the pumpkin season, post-treatment plant-available P was greater in both summers in LEM plots. Edamame bean had 19%, 3%, 5%, and 16% greater Ca, Mg, K, and Zn content in LEM plots compared to the Control, respectively. The concentration of K in pumpkin pulp at harvest was 31% higher in LEMs than in F-LEMs, while Mg concentration was 42% higher. Pumpkin pulp and seeds also had 27% and 34% greater Ca and Zn concentrations compared to the Control. Our study suggests that LEMs were effective in solubilizing macro- and micronutrients, which led to increased plant uptake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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17 pages, 1096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biostimulants and Nano-Potassium on the Yield and Fruit Quality of Date Palm

by Adel M. Al-Saif, Lidia Sas-Paszt, Ragab. M. Saad, Hesham S. Abada, Ahmed Ayoub and Walid F. A. Mosa

Horticulturae 2023, 9(10), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9101137 - 16 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1451

Abstract

Although chemical fertilization has been excessively used for a high yield of fruit trees, it causes many problems such as nitrate accumulation, soil deterioration, and food safety and quality decline; therefore, the dependency on the usage of biostimulants has become paramount when aiming [...] Read more.

Although chemical fertilization has been excessively used for a high yield of fruit trees, it causes many problems such as nitrate accumulation, soil deterioration, and food safety and quality decline; therefore, the dependency on the usage of biostimulants has become paramount when aiming to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers, improve the fruit quality, and increase the shelf life of the fruits. The present experiment was conducted during the 2021–2022 seasons to study the effect of the foliar of yeast extract (YE), fulvic acid (FA), moringa leaf extract (MLE), seaweed extract (SWE), and nano-potassium (K NPs) alone or after combining each one of them individually with K NPs on the yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics of date palm cv. Samani. The results show that the application of 0.2% YE + 0.02% K NPs led to the highest results in yield, bunch weight, fruit weight, flesh weight, fruit content from soluble solids, total and reduced sugars, VC, total chlorophyll, and carotene. Additionally, the results also demonstrate that the application of 0.4% SWE + 0.02% K NPs, 0.4% FA + 0.02% K NPs, and 6% MLE positively affected the previously mentioned measurements compared with the control or the other sprayed treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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14 pages, 902 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Corn Steep Liquor Application Improves Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) Tolerance to Salinity

by Iván Navarro-Morillo, Sofía Pardo-Pina, Francisco Garcia-Sánchez, Juan Manuel Ruiz, Santiago Laserna-Arcas, Felix Plasencia and José M. Cámara-Zapata

Horticulturae 2023, 9(7), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9070785 - 10 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1158

Abstract

Salinity, caused by irrigation with water containing high salt concentrations, excessive fertilization, or the loss of leaching capacity in some soils, is a serious problem on a global scale. Its incidence leads to osmotic and specific effects, as well as an imbalance in [...] Read more.

Salinity, caused by irrigation with water containing high salt concentrations, excessive fertilization, or the loss of leaching capacity in some soils, is a serious problem on a global scale. Its incidence leads to osmotic and specific effects, as well as an imbalance in nutrient uptake that hinders the growth of most crops. Biostimulants can improve salt tolerance by reducing the uptake and accumulation of toxic ions. Corn steep liquor (CSL) is a byproduct of corn cleaning and maceration. This study investigates whether CSL application induces adaptive responses in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants cultivated under saline conditions. Four treatments were carried out with pepper plants in a culture chamber: irrigation with Hoagland nutrient solution; irrigation with 100 mM NaCl in the Hoagland nutrient solution; irrigation with 100 mM NaCl in the Hoagland nutrient solution and the foliar application of CSL at 5 mL L⁻¹ every 7 days; and irrigation with 100 mM NaCl in the Hoagland nutrient solution and root application of CSL at 5 mL L⁻¹ every 7 days. The beneficial effect of CSL in reducing the phytotoxicity of salt stress was found to be due to an improvement in the photosynthetic efficiency and a reduction in the generation of reactive oxygen species. Thus, the increase in MDA concentration due to saline treatment is less when applying CSL, which is 3.5 times less when it is performed via the foliar route and 4.6 times if the treatment is on the root. The results show that CSL application increased the aerial biomass and leaf area under saline conditions through physiological mechanisms that varied depending on the application method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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13 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant Growth, Yield, and Quality of Containerized Heirloom Chile Pepper Cultivars Affected by Three Types of Biostimulants

by Jacob D. Arthur, Tongyin Li and Guihong Bi

Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010012 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2295

Abstract

Peppers (Capsicum annuum) are one of the most widely cultivated vegetable crops, with per capita consumption of bell and chile peppers being 11.4 and 7.7 pounds in 2017. Biostimulants are an emerging sustainable alternative to enhance plant health by increasing photosynthetic [...] Read more.

Peppers (Capsicum annuum) are one of the most widely cultivated vegetable crops, with per capita consumption of bell and chile peppers being 11.4 and 7.7 pounds in 2017. Biostimulants are an emerging sustainable alternative to enhance plant health by increasing photosynthetic activity, stress tolerance, and nutrient uptake through various modes of action. The effects of different biostimulant applications largely remain unknown in containerized heirloom pepper production. This study evaluated plant growth, yield, and fruit quality of nine heirloom chile pepper cultivars, including ‘Anaheim Chili,’ ‘Ancho or Poblano,’ ‘Big Jim,’ ‘Cayenne Purple,’ ‘Chile de Arbol,’ ‘Jamaica Hot Red,’ ‘Mulato Isleno,’ ‘Padron,’ and ‘Pasilla Bajio’ in a container production system throughout the years of 2020 and 2021. Each cultivar was treated with three types of biostimulants, including Tribus^® Original (a mixture of Bacillus bacterias), Vitazyme (containing plant growth regulators and B vitamins), C-Bio CPS (seaweed extract of Ascophyllum Nodosum), and water as control. Pepper cultivars varied in yield and quality, including fruit length, diameter, single fruit weight, and fruit color in both years. ‘Anaheim Chili,’ ‘Big Jim,’ and ‘Jamaica Hot Red’ produced highest marketable yields similarly, with ‘Chile de Arbol’ and ‘Pasilla de Bajio’ producing the lowest marketable yields in both years. Biostimulant application did not affect marketable yield either in 2020 or 2021 but enhanced fruit quality, including fruit length, diameter, and green coloration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

11 pages, 446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dose-Dependent Potential of Chitosan to Increase Yield or Bioactive Compound Content in Tomatoes

by Virginia Hernández, María Ángeles Botella, Pilar Hellín, José Fenoll and Pilar Flores

Horticulturae 2022, 8(12), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121152 - 06 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1341

Abstract

Chitosan is a natural polymer with multiple applications in agriculture due to its ability to stimulate plant growth and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stressors. The impact of chitosan application on fruit production and quality was studied under greenhouse conditions in a [...] Read more.

Chitosan is a natural polymer with multiple applications in agriculture due to its ability to stimulate plant growth and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stressors. The impact of chitosan application on fruit production and quality was studied under greenhouse conditions in a summer crop in a semi-arid climate. Treatments consisted of the spray application of this biostimulant to the aerial plant part at different doses (0, 0.1, and 1 g L⁻¹). Treatment with the lowest dose did not produce significant differences in yield (total production, number, and mean weight of the fruit), but increased the concentration of flavanones (trusses 2 and 7) and phloretin-C-diglucoside (truss 2) with regard to the control. On the contrary, the high-dose treatment increased the yield due to the rise in the number of fruits and produced a significant decrease in the concentration of vitamin C, lutein, β-carotene, and hydroxycinnamic acids (trusses 2 and 7); lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene in truss 2; and flavanols and phloretin-C-diglucoside in truss 7. These results show the ability of chitosan to improve tomato yield or to enhance the accumulation of bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds) in fruit, depending on the dose. Results are explained on the basis of the ability of chitosan to activate yield and secondary metabolite production, the dilution effect due to an increased fruit load, and the interaction of chitosan with changing environmental factors throughout the crop cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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18 pages, 3305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biostimulation of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. with Different Yeast Strains: Morphological Performance, Productivity, Phenotypic Plasticity, and Antioxidant Activity

by Khalid S. Alshallash, Mohamed F. Mohamed, Abeer A. Dahab, Hemat S. Abd El-Salam and Rasha S. El-Serafy

Horticulturae 2022, 8(10), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8100887 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1954

Abstract

Due to the growing knowledge about the microorganism–plant relationship, medicinal plants have gained great attention in their bio fertilization programs using biostimulants based on microorganisms. Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. is a perennial herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae and has therapeutic and nutritional [...] Read more.

Due to the growing knowledge about the microorganism–plant relationship, medicinal plants have gained great attention in their bio fertilization programs using biostimulants based on microorganisms. Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. is a perennial herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae and has therapeutic and nutritional properties attributed to its natural phytochemical compounds, which are highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of Rhodotorula muciligenese (Y1), Candida sake (Y2), Candida apicola (Y3), and Candida kunwiensis (Y4) yeast strains in concentrations of 0 (C1), 1 × 10⁴ (C2), 1 × 10⁷ (C3), and 1 × 10⁹ (C4) CFU mL⁻¹ on the growth performance, productivity, and antioxidant activity of P. amboinicus plants. Yeast applications promoted growth attributes, nutritional value, and antioxidant activity in P. amboinicus leaves. Candida apicola exhibited the greatest root growth, herb weight, and essential oil production; it also stimulated carbohydrates, protein, and mineral content, as well as DPPH and FRAP activities. Whereas Rhodotorula muciligenese recorded the lowest values in this respect, among the concentrations used, the 1 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹ concentration showed the highest values in this respect. These new findings showed that the foliar application of Candida apicola not only maximized the growth and productivity but also maximized the nutritional value and antioxidant activity of P. amboinicus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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Review

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12 pages, 268 KiB

Open AccessReview

Scientific Advances in Biostimulation Reported in the 5th Biostimulant World Congress

by Francisco García-Sánchez, Silvia Simón-Grao, Valeria Navarro-Pérez and Marina Alfosea-Simón

Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070665 - 21 Jul 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3724

Abstract

Biostimulants are agronomic products that have become highly important in agriculture, as they are formulated with substances capable of stimulating physiological and biochemical processes in plants that help them adapt to different detrimental environmental conditions such as drought, salinity, high temperatures, nutritional deficiencies, [...] Read more.

Biostimulants are agronomic products that have become highly important in agriculture, as they are formulated with substances capable of stimulating physiological and biochemical processes in plants that help them adapt to different detrimental environmental conditions such as drought, salinity, high temperatures, nutritional deficiencies, etc. in such a way that the crops, under these conditions, maintain a good agronomic yield and quality of harvest. Every two years, the International Congress on Biostimulants is held with the aim of publicizing the most innovative and recent advances in every relevant type of product: new active ingredients, modes of action, cultivation protocols, test platforms and phenotyping, use of analytical omics tools, etc. In December 2021, the 5th World Congress on Biostimulants was held in Miami (Florida, USA). This publication summarizes the most relevant results that were presented at this congress, in which biostimulants formulated with algae extracts and amino acids stood out in a number of presentations. The various studies presented were carried out on diverse crops such as apple, blackberry, carrot, celery, cherry, corn, grape (table and wine), olive, pear, pepper, potato, rapeseed, spinach, sunflower, soybean, tomato, and wheat. The future lines of the new generation of biostimulants were also marked. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Biostimulants in Horticultural Crops)

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