scholarly journals Appraisal of Biodegradable Mulching Films and Vegetal-Derived Biostimulant Application as Eco-Sustainable Practices for Enhancing Lettuce Crop Performance and Nutritive Value

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Cozzolino ◽  
Maria Giordano ◽  
Nunzio Fiorentino ◽  
Christophe El-Nakhel ◽  
Antonio Pannico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Plant Extract ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Tropical Plant ◽  
Biodegradable Mulch ◽  
Mulching Films

Scientists, extensions specialists, and growers are seeking sustainable agricultural practices that are able to cope with these objectives in order to ensure global food security and minimize environmental damage. The use of mulching films and plant biostimulants in agriculture seems to be a valid solution for tackling these rising concerns. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in order to elucidate the morpho-physiological and nutritive characteristics of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in response to foliar application of a tropical plant extract (PE) biostimulant and the use of plastic mulches. Two biodegradable mulch treatments (Mater-Bi® 1 and Mater-Bi® 2) were compared to black polyethylene (LDPE) and bare soil. Biodegradable mulch film Mater-Bi® 1 produced a comparable marketable fresh yield to the commercial standard polyethylene (LDPE), whereas Mater-Bi® 2 exhibited the highest crop productivity. When averaged over biostimulant application, lettuce plants grown with biodegradable film Mater-Bi® 2 exhibited superior quality traits in terms of K, Ca, total ascorbic acid, and carotenoids content. The combination of film mulching (LDPE, Mater-Bi® 1 or Mater-Bi® 2) with the tropical plant extract biostimulant exhibited a positive and significant synergistic effect (+30%) on yield. The PE-biostimulant induced higher values of SPAD index and total chlorophyll content when compared to untreated greenhouse lettuce. The mineral content of leaf tissues was greater by 10% and 17% (for P and Ca, respectively) when compared to the untreated lettuce (no PE application). Nitrate content was significantly reduced by 23% in greenhouse lettuce plants receiving PE as compared to the untreated control. The positive effect of Mater-Bi® 2 film on the ascorbic acid content has also been highlighted when combined with the biostimulant application, where a major amplification of total ascorbic acid (+168%) was recorded in comparison to the untreated lettuce. Overall, our work can assist leafy vegetables growers in adopting good agricultural practices, such as biodegradable plastic mulches and vegetal-derived biostimulants, to improve the sustainability of greenhouse production.

scholarly journals Biostimulant Application with a Tropical Plant Extract Enhances Corchorus olitorius Adaptation to Sub-Optimal Nutrient Regimens by Improving Physiological Parameters

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petronia Carillo ◽  
Giuseppe Colla ◽  
Christophe El-Nakhel ◽  
Paolo Bonini ◽  
Luisa D’Amelia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Plant Extract ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Leaf Growth ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Co2 Assimilation ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Corchorus Olitorius ◽  
Tropical Plant

The emerging role of plant biostimulants in enhancing nutrient efficiency is important for maintaining soil fertility under sub-optimal nutrient regimens. We aimed to elucidate the morpho-physiological and biochemical effects as well as mineral composition changes of greenhouse jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) treated with a commercial vegetal-derived biostimulant from a tropical plant extract (PE; Auxym®, Italpollina, Rivoli Veronese, Italy). Plants were sprayed in weekly intervals with a solution containing 2 mL·L−1 PE. Jute plants were supplied with three nutrient solution concentrations: full-, half-, and quarter-strength. Decreasing macronutrient concentrations in the nutrient solution (NS), especially at quarter-strength, triggered a decrease in several morphological (plant height, leaf number, and dry biomass) and physiological (net CO2 assimilation rate (ACO2) and SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) index) parameters. PE application triggered specific ameliorative effects in terms of fresh yield at both half- and quarter-strength nutrient solution (15.5% and 29.5%, respectively). This was associated with an enhancement in ACO2, SPAD index, and especially the nutritional status (high nitrate, K, and Mg contents, and low Na content). The foliar application of PE, strongly increased chlorophyll b content, enhancing jute plant adaptation to fluctuating light and therefore the efficiency of photosynthesis, positively affecting starch, soluble proteins, and total amino acids content but only when jute plants were irrigated with full-strength NS, compared to the respective control treatment. At lower nutrient strength, PE reprogrammed the nitrogen distribution, allowing its remobilization from glutamate, which was quantitatively the major amino acid under lower nutrient strength, but not from chlorophylls, thus maintaining efficient photosynthesis. We confirmed that PE Auxym® acts in a balanced manner on the main metabolic pathways of the plant, regulating the uptake and transport of mineral nutrients and protein synthesis, increasing the accumulation of essential amino acids under full nutritive solutions, and re-distributing nitrogen from amino acids to allow leaf growth and expansion even under sub-optimal nutrient conditions. Overall, the use of natural plant biostimulants may be a potential solution in low-input conditions, where environmental constraints and restricted use of fertilizers may affect potential crop productivity.

scholarly journals Vitamin C and nitrates contents in fruit and vegetables from farmers' markets and supermarkets

10.5219/1347 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 1124-1130
Author(s):  
Monika Sabolová ◽  
Lenka Kouřimská
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Red Peppers

Fruits and vegetables are the best food sources of vitamin C. However, fruits and vegetables can be also sources of potentially harmful substances to the human body, nitrates being one of these. The aim of this study was to compare vitamin C and nitrates contents in selected fruits and vegetables from supermarkets and local farmers' markets. Samples of plums, strawberries, apples, spinach, red peppers and tomatoes were chosen for analysis. Content of vitamin C and nitrates was analyzed by HPLC/DAD. The hypothesis was that local market fruits and vegetables contain more vitamin C and fewer nitrates than samples bought in supermarkets. Laboratory analyses showed that there were differences in vitamin C in the case of strawberries, tomatoes and red peppers. The highest level of ascorbic acid was in red pepper samples (141 mg.100g-1). In the case of fruit, the highest content was in strawberries (70 mg.100g-1). As far as nitrates content is concerned, in three cases out of six, the fruit and vegetables we tested from farmers' markets contained lower concentrations of nitrates than those purchased at supermarkets and the hypothesis was accepted in these cases. There was no significant difference between the nitrate content of the local market and supermarket strawberries and red peppers. Tomatoes had significantly higher nitrate content when purchased at farmers' markets than at supermarkets. Leafy vegetables are considered to be the major source of nitrates, and this was confirmed by this study. The highest content of nitrates was in the spinach sample (2969 mg.kg-1). Among all fruit samples, strawberries had the highest nitrates levels (maximum 131 mg.kg-1). The results of this work showed that the content of ascorbic acid and nitrates differs significantly depending on the type of fruit or vegetables.

scholarly journals Suitability of Borago officinalis for Minimal Processing as Fresh-Cut Produce

Horticulturae ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Miceli ◽  
Alessandra Moncada ◽  
Filippo Vetrano ◽  
Fabio D’Anna ◽  
Alessandro Miceli
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Shelf Life ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Leaf Color ◽  
Minimally Processed ◽  
Minimal Processing ◽  
Borago Officinalis ◽  
Fresh Cut

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a wild vegetable appreciated as a folk medicine and for culinary preparations. The introduction of borage as a specialized cultivation would allow for the diversification of vegetable crops and would widen the offerings of raw and minimally processed leafy vegetables. Thus, the aim of the research was to evaluate the quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut borage stored at different temperatures. Borage plants were grown during the autumn–winter season and immediately minimally processed after harvest. Fresh-cut borage leaves packed in sealed bags were stored at 2 or 6 °C for 21 d. Weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, nitrates, leaf color characteristics and overall quality were determined through the storage period. Borage plants were deemed suitable for minimal processing. Storage temperature significantly influenced the rate of quality loss. Borage leaves had an initial nitrate content of 329.3 mg kg−1 FW that was not affected by temperature or storage. TSS and TA were higher in leaves stored at 6 °C. TSS, TA and ascorbic acid content increased during storage. Minimally processed borage leaves stored at 2 °C had lower weight loss and leaf color modifications during storage and a longer shelf life than those stored at 6 °C, so were still marketable after 21 d of storage.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Two Wild Populations of Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop.) as a Potential Leafy Vegetable

Horticulturae ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Guarise ◽  
Gigliola Borgonovo ◽  
Angela Bassoli ◽  
Antonio Ferrante
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
Chlorophyll A Fluorescence ◽  
Leafy Vegetable ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Minimally Processed ◽  
Visual Appearance

The minimally processed industry is always looking for produce innovation that can satisfy consumer needs. Wild leafy vegetables can be a good source of bioactive compounds and can be attractive for the consumer in term of visual appearance and taste. In this work, Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop., commonly called hedge mustard, was grown in a greenhouse and evaluated as a potential leafy vegetable. Two wild populations, Milano (MI) and Bergamo (BG), were grown in peat substrate and harvested at the commercial stage for the minimally processing industry. Leaf pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids were determined as well as chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters. Total sugars, antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, phenolic index, total phenols, anthocyanins, and nitrate were determined at harvest. Significant differences between wild populations were found in April with higher nitrate content in BG, 2865 mg/kg FW than in MI, 1770 mg/kg FW. The nitrate levels of S. officinale measured in the present study are significantly lower than the maximum NO₃ level allowed in other fresh leafy vegetables. Ascorbic acid measured in November was higher in MI compared BG with values of 54.4 versus 34.6 mg/100 g FW, respectively. The chlorophyll a fluorescence data showed that BG reached optimal leaf functionality faster than MI. Overall results indicated that Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. can be suggested as a potential leafy vegetable for the minimally processed industry.

scholarly journals Plant-Based Biostimulant as Sustainable Alternative to Synthetic Growth Regulators in Two Sweet Cherry Cultivars

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 619
Author(s):  
Boris Basile ◽  
Natalie Brown ◽  
José Miguel Valdes ◽  
Mariateresa Cardarelli ◽  
Pasquale Scognamiglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Plant Extract ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Sweet Cherry ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Tropical Plant ◽  
Solids Content ◽  
Sweet Cherry Cultivars ◽  
The Impact

Sweet cherry is a high value crop and the economic success of its cultivation depends not only on yield but also on fruit visual and nutritional quality attributes that influence consumer acceptability, as well as on fruit post-harvest performance and resistance to cracking. During the last few decades, cherry growers have tried to achieve these goals through exogenous applications of synthetic plant hormones and/or nutrients, but there is growing concern about the sustainability of the extensive use of these compounds in agriculture. For this reason, there is increasing interest in the possible adoption of different classes of biostimulants as sustainable alternatives to plant growth regulators. This research aimed to study the impact of foliar application of a novel tropical-plant extract, performed between full bloom and fruit set, on the yield and fruit quality of two important commercial sweet cherry cultivars, Kordia and Regina. The experimental design included a commercial control involving the application of a cytokinin promoter. In both cultivars, the tropical-plant extract induced significant increases in fruit yield. In addition, in the cultivar Kordia, the tropical-plant extract enhanced fruit calcium concentration, soluble solids content, flesh firmness, and skin color by 26.2%, 11.8%, 6.7%, and 12.0% (of fruits with mahogany skin color), respectively. Our results suggest that the tropical-plant extract tested as a biostimulant may be a sustainable and effective alternative to the exogenous application of synthetic hormones for sweet cherry cultivation.

scholarly journals Protein Hydrolysate or Plant Extract-based Biostimulants Enhanced Yield and Quality Performances of Greenhouse Perennial Wall Rocket Grown in Different Seasons

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Caruso ◽  
Stefania De Pascale ◽  
Eugenio Cozzolino ◽  
Maria Giordano ◽  
Christophe El-Nakhel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Extract ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Protein Hydrolysate ◽  
Ascorbic Acid Content ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Tropical Plant ◽  
Antioxidant Content ◽  
Functional Quality ◽  
Leaf Yield

Research has been increasingly focusing on the environmentally friendly biostimulation of vegetable crop performances under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Diplotaxis tenuifolia to assess the effects of two plant biostimulants (Legume-derived protein hydrolysate, Trainer®; Tropical plant extract, Auxym®) and a non-treated control, in factorial combination with three crop cycles (autumn–winter; winter; and winter–spring) on leaf yield, photosynthetic and colour status, quality, elemental composition, antioxidant content and activity. Both biostimulants prevalently contain amino acids and soluble peptides, showing the major effects on crop performances, though Auxym also has a small percentage of phytohormones and vitamins. The biostimulants enhanced plant growth and the productivity of perennial wall rocket. The winter–spring cycle led to higher leaf yield than the winter one. The two plant biostimulants enhanced leaf dry matter, oxalic and citric acids, Ca and P concentrations, phenols and ascorbic acid content as well as antioxidant activity, but did not increase nitrate content. A presumed mechanism involved in the enhancement of crop production could be attributed to the improvement of mineral nutrient availability and uptake. The winter–spring cycle elicited higher antioxidant content and activity than winter crops. Our current study shows that both the legume-derived protein hydrolysate and tropical plant extract represent an effective tool for boosting the yield, nutritional and functional quality of vegetable produce in the view of sustainable crop systems.

scholarly journals Stand-Alone and Combinatorial Effects of Plant-based Biostimulants on the Production and Leaf Quality of Perennial Wall Rocket

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Giordano ◽  
Christophe El-Nakhel ◽  
Gianluca Caruso ◽  
Eugenio Cozzolino ◽  
Stefania De Pascale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Efficiency ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Production Volume ◽  
Leaf Quality ◽  
Tropical Plant ◽  
Dry Biomass

Modern agriculture is facing many difficulties due to a rapidly changing climate, and environmental damage from agricultural production. The commitment of scientists and farmers to increase environmentally sustainable agricultural practices is one way to help mitigate environmental impacts. Among these practices, the use of biostimulants could be beneficial for increasing fertilizer efficiency and reducing excessive use in agriculture, and as plant growth regulators capable of increasing both production volume and quality of crops. In our study, rocket plants were grown in a greenhouse and treated with two biostimulants (protein hydrolysates or tropical plant extract), either individually or combined, to assess the effect on yield, dry biomass, mineral content, qualitative parameters as well as on economic profitability of foliar biostimulant applications. Total yield and dry biomass of the plants treated with the three biostimulant combinations on average increased by 48.1% and 37.2% respectively compared to untreated plants, without significant differences between treatments. Biostimulant application increased the content of chlorophyll, K, Mg and Ca, compared to the untreated plants. Furthermore, a biostimulant synergistic effect was detected concerning the content of total ascorbic acid. Our results confirmed that the biostimulants are eco-friendly products, able to boost plant growth and product quality and thus increase growers’ profitability.

scholarly journals Optical Characteristics of Greenhouse Plastic Films Affect Yield and Some Quality Traits of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Subjected to Different Nitrogen Doses

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Ida Di Mola ◽  
Lucia Ottaiano ◽  
Eugenio Cozzolino ◽  
Leo Sabatino ◽  
Maria Isabella Sifola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Spinacia Oleracea ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Ascorbic Acid Content ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Diffuse Light ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
N Dose

Light and nitrogen strongly affect the growth, yield, and quality of food crops, with greater importance in green leafy vegetables for their tendency to accumulate nitrate in leaves. The purpose of this research was to explore the effect of two greenhouse films (Film A and B) on yield, and quality of spinach grown under different nitrogen regimes (not fertilized—N0%; sub-optimal N dose—N50%; optimal N dose—N100%). Film A and Film B were used as clear and diffused light films, with 75% and 87% thermicity, and 85% and 90% total transmittivity, respectively, where only Film B had a UV-B window. Film B elicited an increase in yield (22%) and soil–plant analysis development (SPAD) index (4.6%) compared to the clear film, but did not affect chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll content. In addition, the diffuse film significantly decreased ascorbic acid in the crop but had no effect on lipophilic antioxidant activity and phenols content, but decreased ascorbic acid content. Finally, nitrate content was strongly increased both by nitrogen dose (about 50-fold more than N0%) and greenhouse films (about six-fold higher under diffuse light film), but within the legal limit fixed by European Commission. Therefore, irrespective of N levels, the use of diffuse-light film in winter boosts spinach yield without depressing quality.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Quality of Two Species of Baby Leaves Sprayed with Moringa Leaf Extract as Biostimulant

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1399
Author(s):  
Stefania Toscano ◽  
Antonio Ferrante ◽  
Ferdinando Branca ◽  
Daniela Romano
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Specific Response ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Moringa Oleifera Lam

Natural biostimulants obtained by plants are intensively used nowadays to improve crop yield and quality. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of leaf extract of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) (MLE) in modifying baby leaf characteristics of two genotypes of Brassica. The trial was started in October 2020 in a greenhouse; a cultivar of kale ‘Cavolo Laciniato Nero di Toscana’ (CL) and a Sicilian landrace of sprouting broccoli ‘Broccoli Nero’ (BN) were used. The plants, after 15, 30 and 40 days from sowing, were treated with MLE, while the control plants (C) with distilled water. Treatment with MLE modified morphological and nutritional value, but with different behavior in the two genotypes. In fact, in BN the treatment reduced the antioxidant activity (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) by 54%, while in CL the treatment increased this parameter by 40%. For the phenolic concentration and the sugar content the values recorded were significantly increased by MLE compared to control plants in CL, where in BN a significant reduction was registered. The CL plants treated with MLE showed a significant reduction (−70%) in nitrate content compared to the control plants; a negative effect was, instead, observed in BN, where the plants treated with moringa showed an increase of 60%. Results of this study showed how the foliar application of MLE was effective in improving various nutraceutical parameters, in particular in kale, because it appears to be a species-specific response.

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