Physiological and Nutraceutical Quality of Green and Red Pigmented Lettuce in Response to NaCl Concentration in Two Successive Harvests

Nutritional eustress such as salinity or nutrient stress applied in soilless systems, is a convenient pre-harvest factor efficient in modulating the phytochemical components of horticultural crops, by triggering defensive mechanisms and accumulating plant secondary metabolites in plants tissues. Nevertheless, genetic material (cultivars with different pigmentation) dictates lettuce metabolites and physiological response to extrinsic eustress, with red leaf cultivars being highly nutrient packed notwithstanding the stress. Product quality can be meliorated equally by applying several cuts, a practice proven to increase bioactive compounds accumulation. In this study, we analyzed the effects of four salinity levels (1, 10, 20 and 30 mM NaCl) on green and red pigmented Salad Bowl lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. acephala) in two successive harvests cultivated in a floating raft system. The morphological parameters, mineral composition, leaf gas exchanges, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of both cultivars were assessed. The green cultivar exhibited superior crop productivity but was more prone to salinity effect than the red cultivar. Irrespective of cultivar and cut order, the net photosynthesis decreased with increasing salinity in the nutrient solution. The second cut incurred higher dry biomass, greater accumulation of most minerals and higher photosynthetic activity. In red lettuce, 20 mM NaCl proved adequate eustress to increase phytonutrients and beneficial minerals (K, Ca, and Mg) with minimal loss of yield. Mild salinity and sequential harvest have proven effective pre-harvest tools in positively modulating the quality of lettuce. Eustress interaction with genotype was demonstrated as a promising field for future breeding programs targeting select genotypes for agronomic application of eustress to improve the nutraceutical value of vegetable crops.

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Plant- and Seaweed-Based Extracts Increase Yield but Differentially Modulate Nutritional Quality of Greenhouse Spinach through Biostimulant Action

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy8070126 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 126 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Youssef Rouphael ◽

Maria Giordano ◽

Mariateresa Cardarelli ◽

Eugenio Cozzolino ◽

Mauro Mori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Protein Hydrolysate ◽

Chlorophyll Biosynthesis ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Growth Cycle ◽

High Yield ◽

Nitrate Accumulation

Plant biostimulants (PBs) such as protein hydrolysates and seaweed extracts are attracting the increasing interest of scientists and vegetable growers for their potential toenhance yield and nutritional quality. The current study assessed crop productivity, leaf colorimetry, mineral profile and bioactive compounds of greenhouse spinach in response to the foliar application of three PBs: legume-derived protein hydrolysate [PH], extract of seaweed Ecklonia maxima or mixture of vegetal oils, herbal and seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum extracts. Plants were PB-treated at a rate of 3 mL L−1 four times during their growth cycle at weekly intervals. Foliar PB applications enhanced fresh yield, dry biomass and leaf area of spinach in comparison with untreated plants. Improved yield performance with PB applications was associated with improved chlorophyll biosynthesis (higher SPAD index). The three PB treatments elicited an increase in bioactive compounds (total phenols and ascorbic acid), thus raised the functional quality of spinach. The application of PH enhanced K and Mg concentrations and did not result in increased nitrate accumulation as observed with the other two PB treatments. Our findings can assist vegetable farmers and the agro-food industry in adopting innovative and sustainable tools such as PB for complementing a high yield with premium quality.

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Regulated Salinity Eustress in A Floating Hydroponic Module of Sequentially Harvested Lettuce Modulates Phytochemical Constitution, Plant Resilience, and Post-Harvest Nutraceutical Quality

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11061040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1040

Author(s):

Petronia Carillo ◽

Georgios A. Soteriou ◽

Marios C. Kyriacou ◽

Maria Giordano ◽

Giampaolo Raimondi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tissue Expansion ◽

Ionic Concentration ◽

Nitrate Content ◽

Phytochemical Content ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Floating Raft ◽

Ion Contents ◽

Phytochemical Components

A mild salinity stress (eustress) may modulate the induction of the plant defense system in horticultural crops and the synthesis of phytochemical components able to enhance plant resilience, post-harvest performance, and the nutraceutical quality of produce. However, the choice of the correct eustress type and dose to induce the synthesis of these protective phytochemicals is pivotal to avoid potential interference with plant growth and productivity. In order to study how green and red lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants equilibrate the nutritional and nutraceutical components of quality with yield components, we applied iso-osmotic concentrations of three different salts (20 mM NaCl, 20 mM KCl, and 13.3 mM CaCl2, with a final total ionic concentration of 40 mM) in combination with two successive harvests in a floating raft system. The biometric parameters, mineral composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of both cultivars were analyzed. The green cultivar had a superior response concerning biometric traits and productivity compared to the red one during the first cut but lower phytochemical content (e.g., ascorbic acid). The effect of cut order, independently of cultivar and salinity treatments, demonstrated that at the first harvest plants could redirect metabolism by increasing the lipophilic antioxidant content (LAA) at the expense of plant yield, therefore increasing plant resilience and post-harvest nutraceutical quality; whereas, at the second harvest, plants reverted principally to tissue expansion. The treatments with iso-osmotic salt concentrations did not affect K and Mg ion contents but further increased LAA and resulted only in a moderate decrease of fresh yield. The lettuce nitrate content was reduced during the second cut only when lettuce plants were treated with NaCl and especially CaCl2.

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Protected Cultivation of Horticultural Crops in Uttarakhand: An Economic Analysis

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040692 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 692

Author(s):

Pramod Kumar ◽

Amit Kar ◽

Dharam Raj Singh ◽

Anbukkani Perumal ◽

Satish Gowda Chirathahalli Shivamurthy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Analysis ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Primary Data ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Subsidy Scheme ◽

Protected Cultivation ◽

Farm Produce ◽

The Impact

In recent times, with the globalization of markets, shrinking of land and climate change, food basket diversification, increase in demand for nutrient-rich food, the protected cultivation of high-value crops (HVCs) have assumed a pivotal role in augmenting higher crop productivity and profitability and enhancing nutritional security of the growing population. In this context, a study was undertaken to analyze the impact of protected cultivation in horticultural crops in the districts of Almora and Dehradun in the Uttarakhand state. It was mainly based on primary data obtained through a primary survey and focus group discussion with the 96 farmers practicing protected cultivation by using a well-structured and pre-tested questionnaire. In economic analysis, the project analysis tools were used to assess the feasibility of the protected cultivation. The study clearly demonstrated that the cultivation of vegetables and flowers under protected cultivation is a highly profitable enterprise. However, the findings of the study indicated that the subsidy scheme needs to be continued to encourage maximum farmers to adopt protected cultivation and farmers need to be encouraged to form farmers producers organizations (FPOs), which would help them in seeking better quality of inputs and enhancing negotiating power in the market to realize maximum returns for their farm produce.

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Effects of Brassinosteroids on Postharvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops: A Concise Review

Journal of Horticultural Science & Technology ◽

10.46653/jhst190203062 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 62-68

Author(s):

Sajid Ali ◽

Muhammad Akbar Anjum ◽

Aamir Nawaz ◽

Safina Naz ◽

Sajjad Hussain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chilling Injury ◽

Membrane Integrity ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Postharvest Physiology ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Concise Review ◽

Inhibit Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Postharvest Life ◽

Physiological And Biochemical

Brassinosteroids are natural polyhydroxylated steroidal plant growth regulators or phyto-hormones. These are ubiquitous in plant kingdom and influence a wide variety of molecular, physiological and biochemical responses of plants. Brassinosteroids have also been applied and their possible role has been investigated on postharvest physiology of various horticultural crops. Brassinosteroids regulate ripening of different non-climacteric and climacteric fruits and influence colour metabolism. They inhibit activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes and delay enzymatic browning. Exogenous application of brassinosteroids inhibits cell wall degradation and delays softening of fruits. In addition, their application regulates sugar and energy metabolism in different fruit and vegetable crops. They suppress lipoxygenase and phospholipase D enzyme activities and conserve higher unsaturated fatty acid contents, suppress electrolyte leakage, inhibit lipid peroxidation and maintain higher membrane integrity eventually leading to suppressed chilling injury during postharvest storage. These alleviate oxidative stress and prolong storage life potential of various horticultural crops. So, the present review summarizes various roles and mechanism of action of brassinosteroids in extending postharvest life and maintaining quality of different horticultural crops.

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Looking at Flavonoid Biodiversity in Horticultural Crops: A Colored Mine with Nutritional Benefits

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants7040098 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 98 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Aurelia Scarano ◽

Marcello Chieppa ◽

Angelo Santino

Keyword(s):

Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽

Quantitative Composition ◽

Nutritional Properties ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Daily Diet ◽

Wide Group ◽

Nutritional Benefits

Flavonoids represent a wide group of plant secondary metabolites implicated in many physiological roles, from the attraction of pollinators to the protection against biotic or abiotic stresses. Flavonoids are synthetized in a number of horticultural crops that are important components of our daily diet. In the last decades, the consumption of vegetables rich in antioxidants has been strongly promoted from the perspective of prevention/protection against chronic diseases. Therefore, due to their nutritional importance, several attempts have been made to enhance flavonoid levels in species of agronomic interest. In this review, we focus on the flavonoid biodiversity among the major horticultural species, which is responsible of differences among closely related species and influences the qualitative/quantitative composition. We also review the role of flavonoids in the nutritional quality of plant products, contributing to their organoleptic and nutritional properties, and the main strategies of biofortification to increase their content.

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Influence of biochar application on nutritional quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp14247 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 66 (7) ◽

pp. 747 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Raffaella Petruccelli ◽

Alessandra Bonetti ◽

Maria Laura Traversi ◽

Cecilia Faraloni ◽

Massimo Valagussa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Biochar Amendment

The potential of biochar to improve crop productivity has received interest in recent years; however, little is known about the effects of biochar on crop nutritional quality. In this study, effects of three different biochars (wheat straw biochar, poplar biochar and olive residues biochar) were determined on the major fruit-size parameters, physico-chemical and nutritional properties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cv. Rio Grande. Application of biochar alone was sufficient to sustain the fruit growth, but results were affected by feedstock source of biochar. There were no significant differences in size and weight parameters and the sugar content was not significantly modified by biochar amendment. On the other hand, secondary metabolites showed changes relating to biochar type. Total phenol and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity, were higher in fruits grown in substrate amended with straw biochar and olive residues biochar. Lycopene, β carotene and lutein concentrations from tomato fruits grown on substrates amended with different biochars were significantly lower than from the control. The data require confirmation in field experiments; however, this study offers new knowledge about the biochar effects on horticultural crops.

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Sweet Basil Functional Quality as Shaped by Genotype and Macronutrient Concentration Reciprocal Action

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9121786 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1786

Author(s):

Michele Ciriello ◽

Antonio Pannico ◽

Christophe El-Nakhel ◽

Luigi Formisano ◽

Francesco Cristofano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Material ◽

The Other ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Aromatic Plants ◽

Floating Raft ◽

Functional Quality ◽

Phenolic Profiles ◽

Total Polyphenolic Content ◽

Nutrient Solutions

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is among the most widespread aromatic plants due to its versatility of use and its beneficial health properties. This aromatic plant thrives in hydroponics, which is a valid tool to improve the production and functional quality of crops, but nevertheless, it offers the possibility to de-seasonalize production. A floating raft system was adopted to test the production and quality potential during autumn season of three different genotypes of Genovese basil (Aroma 2, Eleonora and Italiano Classico) grown in three nutrient solutions with crescent electrical conductivity (EC: 1, 2 and 3 dS m−1). The aromatic and phenolic profiles were determined by GC/MS and HPLC analysis, respectively. The combination Aroma 2 and the EC 2 dS m−1 resulted in the highest production, both in terms of fresh weight and dry biomass. The 2 dS m−1 treatment determined the major phenolic content, 44%, compared to the other two EC. Italiano Classico showed a higher total polyphenolic content in addition to a different aromatic profile compared to the other cultivars, characterized by a higher percentage of Eucalyptol (+37%) and Eugenol (+107%) and a lower percentage of linalool (−44%). Correct management of the nutritional solution combined with adequate genetic material managed an improvement in the production and the obtainment of the desired aromatic and phenolic profiles.

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